Warbird Information Exchange

Anyone have any feedback on issues when involved in restoring F-4 Phantoms?

I am potentially close to acquiring a F-4 Phantom. Will be confirmed in a few weeks time or so.

Ummm...they're really BIG!? Hope you have a lot of hangar/workshop space!

If this is to fly then you are going to have one heck of a time finding a wing that has not been cut.Maybe the RAF does not cut the wings but everything here in the states has been.Good luck in your efforts.

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Hang The Expense

My B-58 Hustler has four J-79s, so we can swap parts and engineering data on our engines.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

IF you are even thinking about flyinig it, you need to do a reality check on what it is going to cost you just for front shop and back shop equipment and calibration as well as required tools just to keep it safe enough for a trip around the patch or two.

While I've never messed with a 4, I do have considerable time working on current fighters and it's nowhere as easy to maintain or support one that was built after the F-86 days.

To fly it you are going to have to have the feds approve your maintenance plan, which will have to be a version of the T.O.s that are appropriate for the airframe that you end up with. Because you probably won't be able to find all the necessary support equipment, you will need to develope alternate means of compliance. You will have to be able to support almost everything in the fuel, hydraulic, electrical, ECS and egress systems, along with the engines themselves.

The basic cost of all this is going to be staggering. You might want to talk with the Collins Foundation guys and see what they are doing before you commit. I'm not trying to bust your bubble, but rather trying to make sure you are looking at this from a realist persepctive.

Don't forget to look at operating costs too....A 4 is going to eat probably somwhere north of 300 gallons of JP-5 every time you crank it up.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

The plane will not be flying but be static display.

I am to hopefully find out in 1-2 weeks how my project is fairing and wondering if the FMS terms will ruin my chances.

FMS usually means return or scrap when your done. What country are you in?

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto