Phantom's Last Flight? by velocicrapper
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Description
Taken at Nellis Air Force Base Airshow, November 2005. For more photos, visit http://www.warbird-photos.com
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Call it a Ghost. Call it a Warbird. Call it a glimpse of the past. But really, the true name for this USAF McDonnell Douglas (Now merged with Boeing) QF-4 Phantom II would have to be 'Phantom on Death Row.' For the first time since they were retired in the 1980s, two F-4 Phantoms were entered into the Airshow circuit for the 2005 season for only a handful of airshows. The Phantom's flights were limited to just the heritage flight and a short pass afterwards. So, why could this be the last flight of this QF-4 Phantom II? The USAF has restored this F-4 Phantom, along with another one that accompanies it to the show for one purpose... target practice. These QF-4 Phantoms are drones, and can be flown remotely. In the course of a few years, it's a very likely future for this Phantom to be the remotely flown target for a new missile system test. It will be destoryed it the test is successful. The USAF puts millions of dollars into restoring these mothballed Phantoms from the mothballed air force only to destroy them in a test.
It's a sad fact to think about as you watch this beautiful aircraft take to the air again. There is a lot of history behind the Phantom, and you may find a handful still in use in other countries, but not anymore in America aside from the drones (which, by the way can be flown manually by a pilot or via remote). The Phantom made it's mark in history during the Vietnam conflict. It was used havily to fly against aircraft such as the Russian MiG-17 and even MiG-21s. The Phantom is the only aircraft that both the United States Air Force 'Thunderbirds' flight demonstration team AND the United States Navy 'Blue Angels' flight demo team have used, and for a short time, both teams used the Phantom at the same time.
So, if you happen to be near a military base that hosts a large military airshow each year and a Phantom is scheduled to appear... you might want to make it out to the show just in case it's the last time that Phantom will take to the air again.
Shot with a Canon Rebel XT EOS 350D DSLR Camera (8mp). Lens was a Canon 100-400mm USM IS F4.5L Series.
Comments (11)
Dann-O
Worked on F-4E's from 84-88. We had them for testing new weapon systems they woudl rather mod a F4 than a expensive new F-15 so they were used there a bit longer. These planes are hard as all get out the metal is so thick on them.
RETIRED
Thanks for sharing. It is very sad to think that the main stay airfcraft during much of my active duty time is now just suitable for targets and scrap. F4s and Hueys are indelably etched in many peoples hearts. I suspect that some will appear in city parks, like the F89 lead sleds and 102 darts. This nation needs more good aircraft museums so that our history is not compltely lost.
tallpindo
The Phantom was the only aircraft flown by the Navy students at "Top Gun" when I was there in 1969-1973. The one's they had, had no guns and the F-8 squadron chided them over this. Even the Skyhawks flown by the instuctor adversaries had guns. Much of hat went on was Sparrow but sidewinder entered also. In Desert Storm all of the F-15 kills were with Sparrow. Has a Tomcat ever shot down a target in anger with the Phoenix? I feel better about Phantom since I built mine a few months ago. Before that I hid my history in a "civil" Voodoo that was ust between Mr. Mac and myself. Now I can tell you how open and sincere Bill Murden was in a successful face for Phantom that the Eagle and later the Hornet were able to draw fomr John Sinnet jr. and Mike Matiyka. A fleet of 330 or 324? It wasn't just Col. Boyd who knew the inroad.
Zachary_Hunt
I think it best I leave the politics of spending millions of $ for target practice when New Orleans needs rebuilding for your government to sort out but I must say this is an exceptional capture, You get a real feeling of speed and power from the fumes at the rear end of this beast. Blessed Be.
CDBrugg
fantastic picture - I usually think that destroying weapons is a rather good idea (= turning spears into ploughshares) but I understand those who think differently in this case :-)
jcv2
Beautiful capture of this plane taking off! Quite a story about this plane! You shot it so well, love to see the motion blur on the background! Gorgeous work! :)
marinaio
beautiful sample of airplane, by now to define historical but always rich of great interest for all the impassioned, really interesting for the one that is impassioned to all the types of military and civil aircrafts as me, the photo it is stupendous compliments.
Smallworld
Beautiful! Exquisite study of a great plane, well done.
Meddlesom
My next door neighbor flew F4s in Vietnam. They were hit by AA fire, dipped low and hit a tree. They had an eight foot long section of tree trunk sticking through the wing and into the fuselage and still managed to bring it back and land safely.
eborg1
I love this. Sharp and clear and active.
tracker234
Ah the Phantom! I remember one night going to the airport in St. Louis where they were built and being at the end of the runway when two brand new ones taxied up, and took off with afterburners on! What an experience that was! Thanks for the excellent photo!