Warbird Information Exchange

I know that 11 other countries used the F-4 Phantom, but how many of these countries still fly them?

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When all is said and done more is said than done.

I can think of Germany, Turkey, Greece, Iran, Japan, South Korea.

I believe all the Israeli ones have been retired now.

You got them all , Mike.

Their is some conjecture among the F-4 community about the Israelis, they may have a few still flying.

Is egypt still flying theirs?

Charlie

I don't think so. I've heard some real horror stories about the condition of those jets when they were ferried back to McDac for heavy inspections.

Nobody on the F-4 discussion site has mentioned that those jets were still operational.

Is Spain still operating theirs? Back in 1995-96 they went through avionics upgrades.

_________________
When all is said and done more is said than done.

Isn't Germany parking their F-4's in favor of the Tornado?

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Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

Nope.

Tornado's been in service nearly 30 years now.

Try Typhoon.

The last Spanish RF-4s were retired 2 or 3 years back.

With all these countries grounding the F-4, thank goodness for the Collings Foundation! I'll still haven't seen one fly yet--one of these years!

I know this would be really really expensive, but too bad the Collings Foundation doesn't send their F-4 and A-4 (and hopefully a F-105) on a National Tour like their Bomber Tour. We had the three bombers stop in at MAPS over the summer and I would love to see the jets in for a couple of days as well! (I know... wishful thinking! )

The Bomber Tour is funded by the tours and the experience flights.

The jets don't have the exemption letter that allows the experience flights.

The other problem is that the operating costs are so high per flight hour. The flights, if they could be done would be extremely expensive. The enroute fuel would eat up any profit that might be made.

The other thing that most folks don't understand is that jets of this vintage have no self start capability. Power and air must be availible or they don't move.

Kick the tires and light the fires is wishful thinkin' with this generation !

I know, I know... Like I said, wishful thinking!

I probably don't want to know how much the fuel would cost!

I'll give you the numbers, you do the math.

F-4 = 20 lbs per mile, JP-8= 6.8 lbs per gallon + 3000 lb reserve

Total fuselage fuel 12,800 lbs

1 ea 600 gal centerline or 2 ea 370 gal wing tanks

That's for cruising cross country,

Demo gas is figured at about 8000 lbs for a 12 minute routine with several burner passes

Skyhawk is the economy car compared to the F-4

That makes me feel old............

I know these are the British version, but it's a still a great clip of the last 4 x F4's to leave Germany after the disbandment of the 2 x RAF F4 squadrons there, and shortly before the retirement of the F4 from RAF service.

Those reheated RR Spey's light up the gloom very nicely....

http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=-2199805089069805535

I reckon us Aussies need to bring back the Peace reef Block 43/44 69-xxxx Phantoms we had.. well somehow

Most were converted to F-4G after we gave them up after 3years in 1973.

They were before my time sigh...

I wish we can see a F-4E fly in Oztraylia before my lifetime is over as a warbird ...

It was a true aussie bomber that should of stayed and served along side the F-111 aka pigs