Warbird Information Exchange

I was looking over the AMARC pages and note that BAE systems in Mojave has taken a large number of F-4Es out of AMARC. Anyone have any idea of what they are doing with all those Phantoms? Also, while of course you can't save every warbird it was sad to see that a ton of A-7s were scrapped about a year ago.

Tom P.

I believe they convert them to remote control target drones.

They are converting them to QF-4Es.

Here are some pictures of a 53rd WEG QF-4E show bird at Oshkosh this year.

So, I assume, from this photo that the QF-4 is not destroyed? simply used as a targeting point?

Displaying my ignorance,

Tom P.

The Phantom above and several others have been painted in several different' scheme's during the USAF service, and they are flown as part of the USAF Heritage program.

At the moment there is I believe about 3 each painted special at Holloman and Tyndall.. And I would guess that in the end they will end up in museums and not be destroyed

RJ

Unfortunately not. When they reach 300 hours, the time when it is necessary to perform another overhaul or major stage check, they will be shot down. The airplane that Tuna Hainline flew for Warbird Digest a year ago, and which I flew in at Reno during the Heritage Flight has almost reached the 300 hour mark. Tuna told me they were trying to get that extended, but doubted they would and he expected it to be destroyed either late this year or early 2007. This is one of the Holloman birds that is painted in Vietnam Era camoflage. I would have to go back and look at the pictures to get the serial number.

Tuna also told me that the USAF is committed to shooting down QF-4Es until 2012, when they plan to switch to QF-16s. This is good news for warbird and Heritage Flight fans because it may mean the Air Force will continue to support the F-4s involvement for another five years.