F-4 Phantom for museums - "Nein"

[flyingheritage]

So goes the answer to my puzzle in acquiring a German Luftwaffe F-4F Phantom.... for Aussie museums...

I have to wait til 2014 at the earliest which is when the current expected fatigue and use life of the remaning 40yr old by then F-4F will be withdrawn from use and maybe then i can try again for a F-4F Phantom...

Sigh.....maybe another country might work as there is a few mothballed..

[BHawthorne]

I'm not seeing the problem. Is 2014 too long of a wait? Telling the museums 2014 is NOT telling them no. One would think that would give the museum plenty of time to work out the specifics.

[flyingheritage]

SLight problem is between NOW and then............ im told many Spookies will become spare metal/cut up etc to supply the current small fleet.. so whatever is left will be a bunfight for museums i suspect.

[KoenL]

There's always Greece or Turkey?

[RMAllnutt]

You aren't going to get one without going through the US government. All foreign owned F-4's are subject to US approval with respect to what happens to them after they have finished their military service. This was made painfully obvious in the UK, with barely a handful of complete F-4's surviving being scrapped, as the MOD was not willing/able to pass them on without enormous effort. I think you might find this is made harder due to Iran still operating F-4's as well, much in the way that F-14's were scrapped en-masse after they were withdrawn from use. Good luck though.

All the best,
Richard

[jet1]

they are overhauled and BLOWN UP for fun I guess.....