Guest markkyle66 Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I was fortunate enough to go on a base visit to Tyndall not too long ago and couldn't help but notice some of the QRF-4's on the flightline and some painted in a camo similar to SEA style. I asked one of the pilots if they were drones as well, but turns out they are used for pilots to maintain currency according to him. I guess my question would be under what circumstances would you get to use the phantoms for proficiency? Is it a thing for the Eagle/Raptor guys? ... Or a weapons testbed for different missiles/weapons? Phantom Phantom Take Off Phantom landing roll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerkFE Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 While I can't answer your question (I've always wondered the same thing about that mission at Tyndall), I would like to say thanks for posting those pics. I've always loved seeing that jet in flight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravedigger Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I have no value to add about the currency thing, but I have seen that Phantom a few times doing heritage flights. I had no idea that it was still actively used at Tyndall. Nice pics though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Talked to the pilots at the heritage conference last year. They said that the jets are required to have 69 hours on them prior to being accepted as drones. That is why you see them at air shows and such. Not sure about the currency requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rainman A-10 Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I asked one of the pilots if they were drones as well, but turns out they are used for pilots to maintain currency according to him. They are FCF pilots for the drones. There is no operational requirement for the Tyndall Phantoms (except as drones). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest audioflyer Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 What's up with the tailhook? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerkDerka Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 (edited) I don't anything about their currency, but the drone drivers ferry and check flight Phantoms being brought out of the bone yard for drone duty. HD Edited June 5, 2007 by HerkDerka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickhistory Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 After BAE installs the drone gear/telemetry gizmos, they are flown to Tyndall and Holloman. They stay 'man rated' since they do have to be flown with a meat servo for various routine testing/maintenance or in the event an unmanned jet has a problem and is recovered, then it has to have a manned FCF. There is a pretty good spoof video done by the Det CC and co at Holloman about 'old warriors.' If I can find it, I'll post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wang Wei Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 There is a pretty good spoof video done by the Det CC and co at Holloman about 'old warriors.' If I can find it, I'll post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickhistory Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 That's the one, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuggyU2 Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 What's up with the tailhook? All Phantoms have a hook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest markkyle66 Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 (edited) They are FCF pilots for the drones. There is no operational requirement for the Tyndall Phantoms (except as drones). Very cool, I appreciate the info! How does one become an FCF pilot though? Is it like a side-job for guys with many fighter hours based where there are drones? I was also kind of curious if there were drones out there other than the F4... are the F100's still around? Edited June 5, 2007 by markkyle66 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerkDerka Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Civilian contractors, retired military. HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickhistory Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 (edited) Very cool, I appreciate the info! How does one become an FCF pilot though? Is it like a side-job for guys with many fighter hours based where there are drones? I was also kind of curious if there were drones out there other than the F4... are the F100's still around? The aircrews at the Dets at Holloman and Tyndall do it as their fulltime job. The maintenance is civilian contractor. The current crews had F-4 time (ok as of a couple of years ago, anyway) in their background. However, a new guy can be checked out in house. I know the guy who was the last USAF guy to check out in the F-106. He did it at Holloman in the '90s while assigned to Det 1. Not a 100%, but I believe the only USAF fullscale drones are QF-4s. There's enough of them to support the program into the 2010s time frame. As a side sad note, the last F-4G not in a museum was splashed into the Gulf of Mexico during a WSEP several years ago as a Q. Edited June 5, 2007 by brickhistory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Davies Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 As a side sad note, the last F-4G not in a museum was splashed into the Gulf of Mexico during a WSEP several years ago as a Q. F-86, F-4, F-106 or F-100, it's always sad to see them blown to shit. Similarly, I hate seeing SDBs and WCMDs shack F-8s and the like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brickhistory Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 F-86, F-4, F-106 or F-100, it's always sad to see them blown to shit. Similarly, I hate seeing SDBs and WCMDs shack F-8s and the like. Sad it is, but a retired F-4 driver who works for BAE in the QF-4 program stated probably the best, "I'd rather see them go out in a blaze of glory than rotting away in the desert or on a stick." Random memory at your mention of F-86s. One of the coolest sights I've seen in my career was a five ship entering the break at Kadena. F-86 DART tow leading a four ship of F-15s with absolutely superb, crisp breaks, that streamed wingtip vortices in the humid air from all five. Outstanding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Davies Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Sad it is, but a retired F-4 driver who works for BAE in the QF-4 program stated probably the best, "I'd rather see them go out in a blaze of glory than rotting away in the desert or on a stick." A totally valid point. I suppose that I'd prefer to see private collectors being given a better opportunity to acquire them, but that's not in the best interests of the Air Force, so it has very little merit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerkDerka Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 A totally valid point. I suppose that I'd prefer to see private collectors being given a better opportunity to acquire them F--- that. The doctors and lawyers are doing fine killing themselves in Piper Cubs. Less collateral damage. HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busdriver Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 I would prefer to see them on the airshow circuit, teaching people in a very real way about our history. But if that's out of the question, then sure blow em up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Davies Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 On a related note: The 728th Armament Systems Group, 328th Armament Systems Wing (AFMC), announces the first of a series of Industry Days for the future acquisition of the QF-16 Air Superiority Target (AST) to be held 16-19 July 2007 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The purpose of this event is to provide available program information pertaining to the QF-16 Full Scale Target Drone and will include a QF-16 program overview and draft QF-16 requirements. Additional briefings will include the technical requirements relevant to Logistics, Engineering, Drone Operations, and Testing. FBO Announcement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeHavilland Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 I was at Incirlik about a month ago and some Turkish F-4's were taking off. I was holding short, but still opened my vent window to hear the sound of them rolling. I was right at their rotate point, so it looked pretty cool. Nice to see them still in use by someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PhillipJFry Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 (edited) All Phantoms have a hook. Most of the phantoms at Tyndall are ex-Navy jets as well. Civilian contractors, retired military. HD I can't remember the exact number, but there are about 3-4 active duty pilots that fly the phantoms out of Tyndall. How does one become an FCF pilot though? Luck and good timing was the answer I got. Edited June 17, 2007 by PhillipJFry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rainman A-10 Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest F4Ops Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 . As a side sad note, the last F-4G not in a museum was splashed into the Gulf of Mexico during a WSEP several years ago as a Q. Actually, I believe the last F-4G in the inventory was shot down just a few days ago, during WSEP at Holloman AFB. Major Derek Mentzer in an F-15 out of Eglin used an AIM-9 to splash 69-0250 June 24th, 2009. Hate to see that happen. Most of the remaining drones are now RF-4s. Fred Sheffler VP Operations F-4 Phantom II Society [Phantom Phanatics.. join us for PhanCon 2009 at Holloman, Oct 6-8th. www.f4phantom.com] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vsu8992 Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 Back in 2007, I remember the 43rd FS hosting a Global Strike LFE out in the Gulf. They invited the F-4s to play Red Air alongside the 95th/2nd FS. I'm sure the Raptors never knew what hit'em ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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