#mcdonnell douglas aviation

[pukindog-v2]

F-4N Phantom II of VF-84 'Jolly Rogers' assigned to CVW-6 'AE' aboard CVA-42 USS Franklin D. Roosevelt January 3rd to July 16th, 1975. It was the final cruise for the FDR and VF-84 with the Phantom as a mount (VF-84 and sister squadron VF-41 would transition to the F-14A Tomcat after this cruise).

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 6 'AE'

January 3, 1975 - July 16, 1975

Mediterranean Cruise

USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42)

Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) ‘Black Aces’ - F-4N Phantom II

Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) ‘Jolly Rogers’ - F-4N Phantom II

Attack Squadron 15 (VA-15) ‘Valions’ - A-7B Corsair II

Attack Squadron 87 (VA-87) ‘Golden Warriors’ - A-7B Corsair II

Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176) ‘Thunderbolts’ - A-6A/C, KA-6D Intruder

Light Photographic Squadron 63 (VFP-63) ‘Eyes of the Fleet’ - RF-8G Crusader

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121) ‘Griffins’ - E-1B Tracer

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 2 (HC-2) ‘Fleet Angels’ - SH-3G Sea King

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Phantom FGR2 XT895 'CJ' 228 OCU at RAF Leuchars in 1990

One of four blue-tailed Phantoms operated by 228 OCU for the 1990 airshow season. "Charlie Juliet" was Flight Lieutenants Nige Marks and Steve Howard's usual display mount that year.

@perpetuaosombro via X

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F2H Banshee 🇺🇸

@AcePilotAV via X

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US Navy F-4B Phantom CAG Bird VF-51 "Screaming Eagles" on the deck of USS Coral Sea

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18 NOV 1968, An F-4D #66-0249 from the 433rd TFS, Ubon RTAB, was badly struck by 37mm Anti-Aircraft fire. The damage rendered the stricken Phantom uncontrollable, and pilot Major Ben "Ray" Battle ordered his WSO 1Lt Robert "Kenny" Boone to eject.

The WSO pulled his handle and fired away from the stricken Phantom on his ejection seat.

After Kenny ejected, strangely... Ray immediately noticed the aircraft exhibited slightly more controllability and elected to remain with his aircraft. Continuing on solo to Ubon AB, where he executed a safe and successful gear-up landing.

Kenny watched helplessly as the Phantom he had just ejected from continued homeward bound, as his parachute settled into the Laotian jungle below. Thankfully, poor Kenny was rescued shortly afterward. Bruised, but unhurt.

It would've been an interesting conversation once Kenny returned to base...

“Kenny Boone and I were flying a fast-mover FAC mission along the Ho Chi Min trail in Laos. It was an orientation ride for Kenny as he was newly assigned to my unit. We were at 4000 feet and Kenny was flying the airplane when I heard an explosion, the aircraft shuddered and the front windscreen was covered in what turned out to be hydraulic fluid. My sensation was that the aircraft was out of control and I ordered Kenny to eject which he did. Instinctively, I took the stick and throttles in hand and to my amazement, the aircraft was flyable. I called for help for Kenny and headed back for Thailand where we were stationed. I was given the option of ejecting or landing gear up as the landing gear would not come down. I elected to land gear up and catch the runway wire with my tail hook.. I have 150 aircraft carrier landings and thought I could easily make an arrested landing on the runway. I pulled the power off just as I touched down and the aircraft settled onto the wire cutting it. The aircraft slid down the runway and veered off to the right before fish-hooking to the right and stopping. It caught on fire and I jumped out safely. As you know Kenny was recovered after spending a nervous night hanging in a tree in Laos In retrospect, My ordering Kenny to eject was a mistake which I have always regretted. I felt at the time I was saving his life and I intended to eject after he did. We both survived the incident for which I am grateful.”

- Ray Battle -

F-4D #66-0249 was eventually repaired, needing a new nose cone, some paint, oh...and a new seat for the guy in back. She was returned to service two years later in February of 1970, and went on to enjoy a long career. Sadly Ol' #249 saw her end with a plunge in the Florida Gulf, flying out of Tyndall AFB in 1985.

@usafphantom2

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F-4C Phantom interceptors of the 57th FIS nicknamed "The Black Knights of Keflavik". 1977

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US Navy F-4B Phantom VF-161 "Chargers"

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USAF F-4C Phantom 63-7564 562nd TFTS at George Air Force Base. 1977

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F-4EJ Phantom

@Aya01flt via X

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USAF F-4D Phantom from the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, in flight on 1 April 1980. The aircraft is equipped with a GBU-12D 227 kg laser-guided bomb, an AN/ALQ-119 electronic countermeasures pod, a Pave Spike laser designator, and a 20 mm gun pod.

@perpetuaosombro via X

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Walk the walk…

Pilot and RIO walking beside a F-4B of VF-161 'Chargers' aboard USS Constellation (CVA-64). 1967.

Photo: NMNA

@CcibChris via X

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Ships of yore..

@CcibChris via X

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USMC F-4 Phantom from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) at San Diego - North Island NAS / Halsey Field, CA.

@perpetuaosombro via X

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F-4E at Yakota AB

@headdancer7 via X

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USAF F-4s Phantom all-grey scheme of the mid seventies and with the "Niagara Falls" legend of the NY ANG.

@perpetuaosombro via X

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TuAirForce F-4Es Phantom. What a incredible pic!

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