F-4E 74-1638 and QF-4E 74-0643 at Reno

[kennsmithf2g]

More Here: https://kennsmithf2g.smugmug.com/Airplanes/2016-Reno-National-Air-races/2016-Reno-F4

[ffuries]

Cool shots, I can't help getting a little misty eyed seeing them. My dad spent 20 years or so out of a 26 year USAF career as Aircraft Maintenance working on them. There was nothing he didn't know on that bird, helped rewrite T.O.'s on them, was one of the few that was certified all systems Red X qualified on them.

After he came back from Vietnam (Tan Son Nhut AB, Saigon, he was there during Tet) he was assigned to Hill AFB as part of a RAM team, going back to Vietnam to repair severely damaged F-4's. The Fabulous Phantom aka Bent Wing, Broken Tail, Coal Burner, Ace Maker was his favorite bird.

My dad lost his battle with cancer in Sept 2011, so whenever I see a picture of one, or hear one in the pattern it reminds me of him, it's my connection to him! Before he passed, some of his modeling buddies worked a trip for him to the NMUSAF, he got to go in before the museum opened, they pulled the ropes back and let him walk around the F-4 there. IIRC he donated the F-4 Tech Orders he had to the museum. The crew at the museum were awesome, can't say enough, he wore a smile for weeks after the trip!

[phil65]

I meet one of the pilots, he said he played Sully in the movie.
I'll try to post pic's later.

Phil

[phixer]

The end of an era for sure. I believe the USAF QF-4 program will be ending soon.