These worn out Phantoms are being corralled at Duke Field. One showed up about 3 months ago, the rest showed up yesterday. Guess they are headed for scrap soon.
Aircraft 1: Missing Vertical Stab
According to Joe Baugher’s site: McDonnell Douglas F-4E-42-MC Phantom 69-0246 (c/n 3771) converted to F-4G. To AMARC as FP0847 May 1, 1992. To TFSI as QF-4G AF194 Jul 15, 1998. Expended Aug 14, 2002.
Last unit assigned the 37th FW 561st FS George AFB California, also previously with the 32nd TFS Soesterberg AB Netherlands.
Aircraft 2:
According to Joe Baugher’s site: McDonnell Douglas F-4E-60-MC Phantom 74-0652 (c/n 4803) to AMARC as FP0716 Jul 12, 1991. Converted to QF-4E AF245. During takeoff roll from Tyndall AFB, FL Feb 6, 2003 for a Systems Acceptance Evaluation Flight with a safety pilot on board, aircraft performed a veer to port instigated neither by ground controller nor safety pilot. Nose wheel collapsed, aircraft suffered severe damage and thought to be a write-off. Safety pilot unhurt.
Link to USAF AIB report:
http://usaf.aib.law.af.mil/QF-4E_Tyndall_6Feb03.pdf
Last unit assigned the 37th FW 562nd FS George AFB California, also previously with the 23rd FS Spangdahlem AB Germany, and the 32nd TFS Soesterberg AB Netherlands.
Aircraft 3: Named “Carrie”
According to Joe Baugher’s site: McDonnell Douglas RF-4C-44-MC Phantom 69-0383 to AMARC as FP0659 3/16/1991.To Tyndall AFB as QRF-4C AF102, expended 10/23/1997. Write-off due to hard landing,
Last unit assigned the “Flag Ship” of 38th TRS, 26th TRW Zweibrucken AB Germany, also previously with the 67th TRW Bergstrom AFB Texas.
Aircraft 4:
McDonnell Douglas F-4C-22-MC Phantom possibly 64-0715 Retired in September 1987 from 199 th FIS, 154th FIG Hawaii ANG. Became BDR airframe at Eglin AFB, Florida, and thought to have been scrapped in the late 1990s.
Mike in Florida
USAF Aircrew Life Support (Retired)
"Your Life Is Our Business"