Countries Still Flying the F-4
Wed Dec 13, 2006 3:48 pm
I know that 11 other countries used the F-4 Phantom, but how many of these countries still fly them?
Wed Dec 13, 2006 4:00 pm
I can think of Germany, Turkey, Greece, Iran, Japan, South Korea.
I believe all the Israeli ones have been retired now.
I believe all the Israeli ones have been retired now.
Wed Dec 13, 2006 4:58 pm
You got them all , Mike.
Their is some conjecture among the F-4 community about the Israelis, they may have a few still flying.
Their is some conjecture among the F-4 community about the Israelis, they may have a few still flying.
Wed Dec 13, 2006 5:19 pm
Is egypt still flying theirs?
Charlie
Charlie
Wed Dec 13, 2006 5:28 pm
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.
Nobody on the F-4 discussion site has mentioned that those jets were still operational.
Wed Dec 13, 2006 7:25 pm
Is Spain still operating theirs? Back in 1995-96 they went through avionics upgrades.
Wed Dec 13, 2006 7:28 pm
Isn't Germany parking their F-4's in favor of the Tornado?
Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:21 pm
Roger Cain wrote:Isn't Germany parking their F-4's in favor of the Tornado?
Nope.
Tornado's been in service nearly 30 years now.
Try Typhoon.
Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:22 pm
CorsairFreak wrote:Is Spain still operating theirs? Back in 1995-96 they went through avionics upgrades.
The last Spanish RF-4s were retired 2 or 3 years back.
Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:36 pm
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!)
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!
)
Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:25 pm
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 !
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 !
Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:35 pm
RickH wrote: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!
Thu Dec 14, 2006 12:35 am
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
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
Thu Dec 14, 2006 4:31 am
PhantomAce08 wrote: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!
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
Thu Dec 14, 2006 4:48 am
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
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