Win a F-4C Phantom

[Matt Sharkey]

This was posted over at Sim HQ

http://phantomjetsweepstakes.com/

ELIGIBILITY. The F-4C Phantom Jet Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes") is open to individual legal residents of the 50 United States (excluding residents of New York and Florida) and the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age at time of entry. Employees of Phantom Jet Sweepstakes, Inc. and their immediate family and anyone living in the same household as such employees are not eligible to enter or win. Void in Florida, New York and where prohibited by law. --- I am out, I live in Florida

PRIZE. One (1) Grand Prize: a museum quality F-4C Phantom Jet. The Jet has been decommissioned by the U.S. military, is not in working order, and may not be flown. Jet is intended for static display only. Approximate retail value: $20,000. The Jet is currently located at the Municipal Airport at Alamogordo, New Mexico. Winner is solely responsible for all costs associated with pick-up and delivery of the Jet to the winner's desired location. The Jet must be picked up within forty-five (45) days of winner notification, or the prize will be forfeited. THE JET MAY NOT BE TRANSPORTED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. All expenses related to the transportation, housing, maintenance and upkeep of the jet are solely the winner's responsibility. Transfer and transportation of Jet subject to applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Odds of winning the prize will be determined by the number of eligible entries received.

[O.P.]

I don't get it, I am thick. Whats the purpose of this? Is it just promoting the "F4 Phantom" site? Or is it to una$$ a derelict at a NM airport?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Anyone got a picture of the bird?

I have a feeling that it doesn't look like the one on the home page.

[f4phan]

That is the airplane in the pic .. I don't believe there is a catch, but I am sure most would agree winning it would be the easy part ...

The biggest part of it I believe is being able to have it moved and the taxes and other expenses that would be involved ...

RJ

[Eric Friedebach]

Transfer and transportation of Jet subject to applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Demil?

[Broken-Wrench]

yep! I saw it on Ebay a few years back.. the main spar is cut and it has a dolly under the main fuselage.. It has to have that or it will colapse. Basicly a F-4 in a wheel Chair

[Broken-Wrench]

yep! I saw it on Ebay a few years back.. the main spar is cut and it has a dolly under the main fuselage.. It has to have that or it will colapse. Basicly a F-4 in a wheel Chair

[RickH]

This aircraft was saved by an F-4 Phanatic named Tina. She bought the aircraft in three pieces. A lot of the components used to resurrect this airframe were acquired from Don Howell who works out of the yard directly across from the main gate at AMARC.

The aircraft was reassembled by one of the independent shops in Tucson, the guy who did also resurrects HU-16s. Tina had him splice the fuselage together and put steel plates across the wing spar cuts. I saw it on its gear in the yard in Tucson. Tina built a hangar for it at the Alamogordo Airport. When it was delivered to New Mexico one of the wing spar splices let go. They reengineered the splices and got her back on her feet. Was unaware of any dolly. Tina's tires were maypops so we gave her a flown set off of 749.

She was definitely in love with the Phantom and spent a lot of money to have this one pieced back together.

You guys have read my posts concerning govt paranoia. This airframe is historic, in a sense. When govt officials found out that this aircraft was being put back together the airframe demil procedure was changed. The contracts with the scrappers now have a govt inspector attached who stands at the end of the conveyor as bits of F-4s no bigger than a quarter trickle into the pile. He signs off each aircraft as being destroyed. No parts of any kind are allowed to be removed prior to grinding.

All because of this one airframe on display that is out from underneath govt control.

[tom d. friedman]

sounds like "read the small print" a full scale erector set!!

[O.P.]

Hi Rick!

Who is Tina?

That is a great story! And that is hardcore. In my mind it is another one saved. Why is it being "gamed" off?

Anyone who put that much effort into having/saving an F4, has got to have a great story.

[RickH]

I can't remember Tina's last name but she is well known in the Phantom community. Apparently she was left some money and this is how she chose to spend some of it. I believe she moved to Alamogordo just to be close to the flying Phantoms at Holloman AFB.

A funny story told to me by the former Navy Det Chief at AMARC. Herb was giving Tina a private AMARC tour when Tina said that she wanted to buy one of the Phantoms. Herb told her that wasn't possible, Tina got mad about the scrapping of all those Phantoms and Herb told her that it just wasn't feasible to save them all. Tina thought that was the dumbest thing she'd ever heard. Tina then proceeded to work the deal with Don Howell and buy the big pieces of what became this jet. SHe figured that if the govt wouldn't save one more that she would.

First time I saw it, it it was assembled and standing on it's gear in the civilian back lot where it was reassembled. It was still in zinc chromate primer. I was surprised because 749 was supposed to be the only civilian F-4 in captivity. Curiosity got the better of me so I went inside to inquire, that's when Tina's story began to unfold.

I don't know why the jet has been for sale or why the raffle now. I do know that any governmental effort expended on this airframe is a waste of taxpayer dollars,...it will definitely never fly again.