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F-4 Phantom
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This Is How The Bedevilers of VF-74 Became “First In Phantoms”
When McDonnell produced the film “The Phantom Joins the Fleet” during 1962 their F4H-1 (later F-4B) Phantom II was a new product. Featuring Fighter Squadron SEVEN FOUR (VF-74) Bedevilers flying from the nearly-new aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) along with the rest of Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8), the film takes a look back at […] More
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CHECK SIX: The F-4 Phantom’s F3H Demon Roots
We recently passed the one year anniversary of the retirement of the last F-4 (actually the QF-4) in the USAF inventory. And while other air forces still have a few left in service, the worldwide fleet is dwindling. Here’s some aviation trivia for you Phantom Phreaks. There is actually a continuous line of evolution from […] More
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What Made The Phabulous F-4 Phantom So Special to Phantom Phanatics All Over The World?
The philm “The Fabulous Phantom” was made by McDonnell Douglas to commemorate the manufacture of the 5000th Phabulous Phantom II (F-4E-65-MC serial 77-0290) which rolled out on May 24th 1978. The company would only build another 195 F-4s before shutting down production in 1981. Whether you called it Old Smokey, Double Ugly, Rhino, Snoopy, Phlying Anvil, […] More
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Brigadier General Robin Olds Tells His Story in This Rare Video Series
The mustached hero shares his keys to success. It’s a must watch for any aviator or Air Force leader. Brigadier General Robin Olds served his country in the Air Force for thirty years. A football player at West Point, he flew Lockheed P-38 Lightnings and then North American P-51 Mustangs in the European Theater of Operations […] More
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Air Force Dad Celebrates His Daughter’s First (And Fini) F-4 Flight With a Bucket Of Water
Cadet gets an F-4 flight! Dad celebrates her special day. Let’s file this in our “How Awesome is this?” file. Cadet 2nd Class (a junior) Kaitlyn recently received an incentive ride in the mighty F-4 Phantom. The F-4 has become a ‘rare’ jet. Getting an incentive flight in an F-4 these days is probably one […] More
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Listen to the Last F-4 Phantoms Roar over Oshkosh
You can call that rumble music to my ears! Our friends at AirshowStuff have captured the beautiful roar of J-79s as the buzz Oshkosh as part of EAA’s annual Fly In. These beautiful jets out of Holloman Air Force Base performed a spectacularly loud flyby and low approach. The F-4 is one of avgeek’s most […] More
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The F-4 Phantom Was A Big, Fast, Heavy and Popular Fighter. Here’s 8 Reasons why it was Awesome!
For over three decades, McDonnell’s F-4 Phantom was the world’s most popular fighter-bomber. It made its debut in 1960 and served a prominent role in Vietnam. Over 5,000 F-4s were produced. Not only was the F-4 a staple for the U.S. military, it was operated by the armed forces in 11 other nations. In Israel, […] More
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Pardo’s Push: The Ultimate Display of Ingenuity and Courage Didn’t Go Unpunished
Testimony to the strength of flying skill, American plastics in the ‘60s, but far more significantly it is the story of one US aviator’s selfless loyalty to his wingman, for which ironically he would be reprimanded. On the 10th of March 1967, US Air Force Captain Bob Pardo and wingman, Captain Earl Aman, were flying […] More
