Last US Navy F-4 Phantom II Flight

-
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

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Howard DBA NASA Aircraft

-
Image
     Here is a design that is seldom mentioned the Howard DBA. The photos come from low speed wind tunnel at Vought. The photo sleeve has Howard Aero written on it and typical of the LSWT photo sleeves does not reveal a model or make for the design. Nor is there a date for the project. It also appears that the test report and the negatives are separated.       This was a design from Howard Aero of San Antonio Texas the same fine folks that created the Howard 500 version of Lockheed's Ventura bomber to meet NASA's need for rocket component transportation. Howard Aero   (VAHF Collection)      The aircraft features 10 engines and two sets of wings along the bulbous fuselage. It also appears to have large clam-shell doors on the front below the cockpit area. Howard Aero   (VAHF Collection)      A model and the LSWT report are on display at USTA. Links: University of Texas San Antonio More about Vought's LSWT Here More about Howard Aero Here
Read more

VF-213 F-14D 164602 Color To The End

-
Image
2006 saw the last of the F-14D Tomcat fighters leave US Navy fleet service. VF-31 and VF-213 were the last two squadrons to deploy with the F-14. The VF-213 Black Lions painted F-14D 164602 AJ-213, in full colors for the retirement. I had the good fortune to see F-14D 164602 two days after arrival and prior to spraylat being applied for it's storage in AMARG in 2006.  With the exception of the AMARG inventory number ANIK0195, and the yellow 7 indicating an accountable inventory inspection has been completed, the aircraft's markings are untouched.  Some preliminary work to start covering openings has been completed.  Twin tailed Lion that evolved with the squadrons transition from the F-4J Phantom II to the F-14A Tomcat.  AMARG technicians added blocks to the top of each rudder to keep the surfaces from blowing back and forth in the wind potentially damaging hinges and actuators. Foil paper and tape have been used to cover the engin
Read more

Rockwell Ranger 2000

-
Image
JPATS (Joint Primary Aircraft Training System) a 1990's competition was a joint USAF and USN contest to find aircraft to replace the T-37 and T-34 aircraft operated by the services. The winner was the Raytheon T-6A Texan II.  A recent visit to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium netted me a few photos of the Rockwell Ranger 2000 JPATS entry.  http://www.tulsaairandspacemuseum.org/   The only "down" side, the aircraft is currently being used as an attraction for kids to sit in and "fly". This has caused some wear  and tear along with the fitting of wooden mock up seats. The overwhelming "good" side is the aircraft has been saved and is available  for viewing. A true survivor from the JPATS competition. All photos Bill Spidle ©2016
Read more