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
Sun Dec 05, 2010 8:52 am
Found a couple of pics on airliners.net of the F-4 when it was still "alive".

Sun Dec 05, 2010 11:22 pm
the n number begs the question, do they own the bird?
Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:31 am
The FS number makes me think Flight Systems. So might be still government owned, but loaned to FS for tests?
Mon Dec 06, 2010 7:36 am
that F-4 is looking a little sad right now, BUT an F-4 that is not being scrapped or shot down from testing missles is a GOOD thing.
Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:01 am
In some of those photos, you can see the name "Tracor Flight Systems" painted on the vertical tail, so it's pretty clear who the operator was.
The "N" number does not necessarily mean that the operator owns an aircraft, just that they operate it. There have been many military aircraft that were operated by civilian contractors, registered with "N" numbers, but still owned by the Government. The A-3 Skywarriors that were recently scrapped in CA and AZ are a good example. They carried "N" numbers and were operated by Raytheon (and by other contractors before Raytheon acquired them), but the Navy was the actual owner. I'm not saying that Tracor didn't own the F-4 (although I'm fairly certain they didn't), just that the "N" number is not an indication of ownership.
Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:33 am
According to the web page below, It was registered to BAE System Flight Systems, Inc. as the operator, and the USAF as the owner. Also noted that this registration was cancelled for the following reason: Destroyed (!!!!

)
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=424FS
Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:53 pm
the same bird was in an old issue of air classics.
Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:32 am
my dad is one of the people that put her together when it got to canton. Yes, they do own her. If my dad is involved it will look good when she finally goes on display.
Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:45 am
tow-3 wrote:my dad is one of the people that put her together when it got to canton....If my dad is involved it will look good when she finally goes on display.
was he a phantom maintainer? they are beasts to work on. looks good so far.
tow-3 wrote:Yes, they do own her.
that is a horse of a different color.
Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group.
phpBB Mobile / SEO by Artodia.