Monday, August 19, 2019

F-4 Phantoms Phorever

Via KhaiCo Vu

 The official trailer for Top Gun: Maverick starring Tom Cruise. In theatres 2020. 


My first Cousin Steven Leach, RIP, flew 120 missions over North Vietnam when 100 was required.   He was a graduate of West Point but chose Marine Aviation as his father was a Marine.

10 comments:

  1. My favorite plane. They provided great support and entertainment during picket duty in the N. Atlantic and during the Cuban Missile crisis.

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  2. I still have the scars from Phantom Bites. A tough ole bird. McDonald Douglas's proof to the world, "that with enough power even a brick can fly." Thanks Brock!

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    1. I still have the scars from Phantom Bites.

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      :)!
      "that with enough power even a brick can fly."

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  3. Even we grunts loved the air cover that F-4's provided.

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  4. Phantom Bites were quite common occurrences, especially on newer maintenance guys, and during the engine start, buttoning up of the access panels associated with the launch procedures . There were lots of sharp edges, hot surfaces, extremely fast acting hydraulically actuated doors, scissor points between flight control surfaces, blunt unmovable protrusions on the weapons pylons, and on the underbelly that would/could catch the unlearned maintenance technician, and even the experienced ones too. When you smacked one, or it smacked you, it usually left a mark. The aircraft didn't move, but you were usually laid out, and bleeding. Phantoms were vicious until you learned their fickle lil tricks.

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    1. Very interesting and thanks. Wish I could send it to Steven.

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  5. There was a lot of activity under the aircraft between the main gear and the nose gear during launch procedures, and any type of Pre/Post flight inspection. Not much room to work and a lot of duck walking. I couldn't do it today, although I sure would like to try it again.

    https://www.airplanesofthepast.com/f4-phantom.htm

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