Warbird Information Exchange

Don't know if this has been posted, but just saw this on a news feed. A flyable 1959 McDonnell Douglas F4H-1F Phantom, BuNo 145310, is up for sale.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hey-wann ... 00644.html

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Mike in Florida
TSgt USAF Retired
Jan 86 - Sept 08
Aircrew Life Support
"Your Life Is Our Business"
(122X0, 1T1X1, 1P0X1)
NRA Life Member

It's been for sale for years, it's not flyable without engines...

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.

So 85% restored, has not flown in many years and is the same price as a very well sorted TF-51D like Lady Jo. What's the old restorer saying about "90% done and only 90% to go"? Plus, it's going to take dollar numbers with many zeroes per hour to fly once it is finished and licensed.

Sounds like a deal to me...

Has Cutter ever said publicly what his cost per hour is to fly that beautiful F100? I suspect that an F-4 with twice the engines and generally a lot more to maintain than Dean's airplane would cost a pretty penny to keep flying once you got it off the ground.

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Neal Nurmi

---Wingman Photo---

I don't think that F-4 will ever sell at the current price. Since it's been available for some time, and no takers, it is unlikely to go anywhere until they lower the price substantially.

Added to this are two very important qualifiers:

1) The skill level required to fly this is well above normal. It will take either somebody with previous F-4 time, or a former military fighter pilot with extensive jet experience. This is not for the novice, G.A. pilot, or typical "rich guy" who has limited hours and/or jet experience.

2) The operating costs are extremely high. I don't know if it is still accurate, but I've heard figures quoted some years ago that the Collings Foundation F-4 costs in excess of $10,000 per hour to fly. With those costs, there are only a handful of people in the U.S. who could afford that. If they haven't bought the aircraft by now, they probably won't. I'm guessing that aircraft will be a static forever, unfortunately. I predict it will sell for substantially less, or be donated to a museum for a tax write off.

OLD news unfortunately. This F4H-1F/F-4A Phantom II has been listed for sale for quite some time. It was under SLOW restoration for many many years in Southern California and has pretty much been a dormant project for a while. Besides the high asking price, it will likely take a considerable amount of work yet to make it actually flyable.

15-20 years ago I was somewhat hopeful we might see this beautiful and rare jet warbird actually flying. I am a lot less optimistic today, but if someone with the money and expertise is out there it would be great.

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Jim C.

Double post deleted.

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Jim C.

This is a fun project to dream on. It will take an individual or organization with the right combination of ambition, expertise and deep pockets to make another flying Phantom a reality. I hope such an individual or organization exists.

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Matt

Is The Collins Foundation F4 airworthy and/or flying?

It is airworthy. It was due to appear at Selfridge Airshow this year, but COVID scuttled those plans and I believe it flew in one of the recent Wings Over Houston events. Appearances are generally few and far between (likely due to costs both to operate and book the aircraft), but it does make airshow appearances from time to time.

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Matt

The final 10% of the work takes 90% of the time.

_________________
Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.