Last US Navy F-4 Phantom II Flight

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Front View of QF-4N 153030 at NAS Pt. Mugu August 12, 2004 about two weeks before it's last flight. BillSpidle

QF-4N 153030 entered the history books in an unusual way on August 25, 2004. "Droopy" flew from NAS Pt. Mugu to NAS North Island for the final US Navy Phantom flight. 

Bloodhound 145 sitting quietly in the California sun. BillSpidle
The story of the final flight started on April 20, 2002 when QF-4S 155749 crashed killing Cmdr Michael Norman and Capt Andrew Muhs during a NAS Pt. Mugu airshow. After the accident investigation it was decided to retire the remaining QF-4N/S aircraft from use, thus ending 45+ years of service. The remaining QF-4N/S aircraft were delivered to target ranges and a few went to museums.

QF-4N 153030 Bloodhound 145 of VX-30. BillSpidle

Shot of the J-79 afterburner on 153030. BillSpidle

View showing the fins on the center line external fuel tank. BillSpidle

Shot of the tail markings on Droopy. BillSpidle

















































The history notes I have for F-4B/N/QF-4N 153030 are as follows:

153030 (1557) FF 11AUG66, Acc, FA 07SEP66, VF-121 08SEP66, VF-114 JUN68, VF-121 DEC69, VF-161 APR70, VF-121 DEC70, VF-51 MAR71, NARF FEB72, VF-51 MAR73, VF-51 JUN74, VMFA-531 JUL74, NARF MAR75, F-4N 18NOV76, VMFAT-101 JUN77, VMFA-323 JUL81, NWC AUG82-Stored, 13APR95 QF-4N, NAS Pt Mugu JUN96, VX-30 JUN02 to Stricken 25AUG04, Ferried to San Diego for USS Midway display. Last Navy F-4 phantom II flight.

Line of Phantom tails on August 12, 2004. BillSpidle

 

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