This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:03 pm

Old SAR pilot wrote:Heard that the AF is studying the use of retired F-16A's as target replacements for the Rhino. Hopefully that'll be the case, and a few will be saved! :wink:


I hope that a few F-4s get saved. But replacing QF-4s with "QF-16A's" (boring!) does not neccssarily enhance the chance of any Phantoms surviving. The QF-4 replaced the QF-106; the QF-106 repaced the QF-100 and QF-102. I don't see many surviving F-106s or F-102s.... : - (

Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:18 pm

Don't forget all of the QF-86s .

Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:02 pm

Why not have used those T-3 trainers they scrapped as drones? Small, but better than crushed?
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8783&highlight=scraps+trainers

Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:11 pm

flyboyid wrote:Why not have used those T-3 trainers they scrapped as drones? Small, but better than crushed?
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8783&highlight=scraps+trainers


What exactly would they be simulating?

There's nothing that a MQM-107 or FireBee couldn't also simulate.

Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:28 pm

Good point Randy. After I stopped to think about it I wondered if it would even be worth the cost of converting them to drones. My original thought was why not use them in the same capacity as the MQM-107 (without the speed) instead of just crushing them? But in hindsight, what exactly would they do other than to just be something to shoot at.

The Idaho ANG had F-4's for years. There are still 3 sitting here, although all in the air park. 2 RF-4C and 1 F-4G.

Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:07 pm

The Idaho F-4Gs made their last flights within the last year. They're all gone now.

Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:16 pm

I grew up watching those planes. I have a love afair of sorts with the Phantom. I saddens me to hear they're all gone now, but at the same time I'm glad to hear they continued to serve. One part wants to save them all, but I ask myself what is more fitting...sitting in the desert slowly deteriorating, or going out with one last mission.

Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:04 am

The Iranians just lost one...
From ANN:
Iranian F-4 Down In Oman Sea Two Pilots On Board "Martyred"

An Iranian Air Force F-4 Phantom
crashed into the Oman Sea early Monday, killing both pilots
onboard.

The 1960s-era vintage fighter crashed off Iran's southeastern
coast, near the port of Konarak. The cause of the accident is still
unknown, reports the semi-official Fars news agency.

In a release to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, military
officials confirmed "both pilots ... were martyred."

The belligerent Islamic republic is taking steps to update its
air force, currently comprised of US-made F-14s Tomcats, F-4s and
F-5 Tigers. Those aircraft were sold to Iran in the 1970s, during
the pro-Western rule of Shah Reza Pahlavi. When Islamic rulers took
over in 1979, the US cut off the flow of spare parts for those
planes.

As a result, Iran has reportedly turned to Russia and China for
warplanes. Though no one will officially comment, it is widely
reported in Israeli and Russian media Iran plans to
order a mix of Sukhoi Su-30s, and China's new Chengdu J-10 fighter
planes to replace obsolete US-made aircraft.

The country also hopes to puts its own light fighter into
operational service soon. The Saegheh -- or "lightning" -- appears
to be based heavily on the Northrop F- 5 -- though equipped with
twin tails -- and recently entered
production.
FMI: www.globalsecurity.org

Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:19 pm

Randy Haskin wrote:
flyboyid wrote:Why not have used those T-3 trainers they scrapped as drones? Small, but better than crushed?
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8783&highlight=scraps+trainers


What exactly would they be simulating?


In case the Royal Albanian Team ever resurfaces with hostile intentions

Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:47 pm

The German AF brought this baby to Rygge AFB in Norway for the airshow in August, but left it in the static. What a waste... :(

Image

T J

Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:06 pm

wouldn't it be ironic if Iran started selling its F14s and F4s on the open market?

:lol:

Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:50 am

Yes it would be ironic. Especially ironic that if they did strat selling on the open market none of those aircraft would most likely ever see the light of day in the US.
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