Dear Folks,

 

Are there any members, or non-members, here who can adequately put into words what it is like to fly the F-4 Phantom?

 

The reason for the question is, the pilots who flew this aircraft are getting....kind of old.

 

Many years ago, we saw this plane screaming overhead.

So then, what was it like to actually pilot the craft?

 

The first time I saw this aircraft flying low and very fast, two planes were being flown by marine hot-shot pilots, about 100 feet, no more, off the deck at Willow Grove Naval Air Station, in 1976.

They flew past, inverted, just for fun, one supposes.

 

The Marine pilots put other pilots to shame, obviously.

 

 

Soon, we will all be dead.

 

However, before I die, i would like to know, and to hear a few great stories, from the pilots who flew the Phantom.

 

The Phantom, even if one had no appreciation for aircraft design, was still the most beautiful beast in the sky.

 

McDonnell Douglas

 

Number built: 5,195

 

This has got to be the most beautiful aircraft ever designed.

 

What was it like to fly.....?

This is the question.

 

Does anyone here know?

Any first-hand experience?

 

Who would not give their left nut to fly this thing, or to ride along?

 

For sure, there must be someone here who knows what its like to fly this plane over the jungle, very low.

Or, what its like to take off very fast.

 

I recall seeing them in Vietnam, taking off over me, in DaNang....screaming overhead.

What was it like?

 

Just want to know....

 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Dear Folks,

 

Are there any members, or non-members, here who can adequately put into words what it is like to fly the F-4 Phantom?

 

The reason for the question is, the pilots who flew this aircraft are getting....kind of old.

 

Many years ago, we saw this plane screaming overhead.

So then, what was it like to actually pilot the craft?

 

The first time I saw this aircraft flying low and very fast, two planes were being flown by marine hot-shot pilots, about 100 feet, no more, off the deck at Willow Grove Naval Air Station, in 1976.

They flew past, inverted, just for fun, one supposes.

 

The Marine pilots put other pilots to shame, obviously.

 

 

Soon, we will all be dead.

 

However, before I die, i would like to know, and to hear a few great stories, from the pilots who flew the Phantom.

 

The Phantom, even if one had no appreciation for aircraft design, was still the most beautiful beast in the sky.

 

McDonnell Douglas

 

Number built: 5,195

 

This has got to be the most beautiful aircraft ever designed.

 

What was it like to fly.....?

This is the question.

 

Does anyone here know?

Any first-hand experience?

 

Who would not give their left nut to fly this thing, or to ride along?

 

For sure, there must be someone here who knows what its like to fly this plane over the jungle, very low.

Or, what its like to take off very fast.

 

I recall seeing them in Vietnam, taking off over me, in DaNang....screaming overhead.

What was it like?

 

Just want to know....

 

 

 

 

 

 

There will still be F4 pilots around when you are dead.......no need for you to worry about you not being able to get a first hand account from one of them.

 

F4s were still being flown by about 10 airforces into the 21st century, Greek AF as recently as 2023.

 

 

44 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

There will still be F4 pilots around when you are dead.......no need for you to worry about you not being able to get a first hand account from one of them.

 

F4s were still being flown by about 10 airforces into the 21st century, Greek AF as recently as 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

Fantastic climb rate for its time.

 

But, since this is the most beautiful plane ever built, any and all stories flying it are welcome.

 

McD...all the way, and these planes are not just hamburgers.....

 

 

1958 to 1981:  The heyday of great USA engineering.....

 

GO Lockheed.....!!!

 

 

 

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

 

 

Fantastic climb rate for its time.

 

But, since this is the most beautiful plane ever built, any and all stories flying it are welcome.

 

McD...all the way, and these planes are not just hamburgers.....

 

 

1958 to 1981:  The heyday of great USA engineering.....

 

GO Lockheed.....!!!

 

 

 

 

https://simpleflying.com/last-lockheed-constellation-still-airworthy/

I'll stick with my ground-based Phantom (from Honda), although I'm sure it's not as much fun.

 

My all time favorite aircraft, used to watch and photograph them way back when they were based in UK at Lakenheath with the 48th tactical fighter wing,  and the RF4C versions of the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW)  based at Alconbury

They flew out of Thailand during the Vietnam war.

 

 

Life on Korat AFB

 

The legendary F-4 pilot Robin Olds

 

 

12 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Are there any members, or non-members, here who can adequately put into words what it is like to fly the F-4 Phantom?

A good friend of mine used to fly the English Electric Lighning, he only ever saw Phantoms in the rear view mirror.

Personally the best all round bomber was the one I worked for many years, Blackburn Buccaneer.

Went on detachment to Cyprus with a Phantom sqdn, on the day to go home they couldn't get one off the ground, had to leave it in the end. We had a good afternoon in the terminal bar waiting for them.