Last of flying F-4 Phantoms - 4K

[eddiebutler]

I was on catapult crew on Saratoga in the 70’s, loved F-4’s coming up for launch at night both afterburners kicked in and catapult sending them off deck, just beautiful seeing them go off deck.

[marlinweekley]

I am 72 my older brother was 9 years older. When he got out of the air force in 65 he was hired onto the F4 project in St Louis. He took me to see em one day. Ill never forget the rows of brand new F4 lined up on the ramp.
Years ago - who knows how many ive lost track of time - PBS had a show where all the musicians where ex military mostly vietnam pilots. Its was an awesome show. They had guys telling their stories then perform their songs. One pilot had named his F4 Sugar Babe and told of bombing runs on the Ho Chi Minh trail at night. He was hit by ground fire, the the shook violently and he headed for the gulf in hope of rescue. The plane kept flying hiwever and he made it to Da Nang where he found most of the tail missing! Amazing story and aircraft.

[btall]

My all-time favorite American designed jet fighter. I'm 60 and they've been flying longer than I've been on this Earth! 👏

[MrNeverlift]

My dad flew the first F4H1 for McDonnell. Lost his life in 1959 during project "Top Flight". He had previously obtained an altitude over 96, 000 ft. and saw the curvature of the earth.

[LATEAGAIN-]

My late father flew the F-4 Phantom for the USAF in Vietnam. Many times he flew into enemy territory over North Vietnam. His F-4 returned him back to his base safely each time. I am living proof as I was born in the late 1970's. Thank you for posting this.

[paule]

I was an Avionics Technician at George AFB in the late '80s servicing the F-4E. I was awarded an incentive flight in one. It was absolutely the best ride of my life. The sound of the J-79s is unmistakable. While watching this video I could actually smell the JP-4 fumes.

[mikecolon]

I was a weapons mechanic, loaded weapons . Air Force, From 1978 -1981, homestead and Ramstein Germany. Great Aircraft great memories.

[jerryrobinson]

I grew up around the F-4. My dad was an electronics tech rep for McDonnell in the 60’s and early 70’s. He was McDonnell’s rep when the F-4K was delivered to the Royal Navy at RNAS Yeovilton. We lived there for three years while dad was assigned to the RN. He was part of the team that broke the record for trans-Atlantic flight in the Daily Mail Air Race from the Empire State Bldg in NYC to the Post Office tower in London. Super exciting for me as an 11 year old! Loved the F-4!

[davidklaffer]

My dad was a RAAF pilot flying for the USAF at Shaw airforce base and clocked up over 1000hrs in them. As a kid all I remember was the amazing sound they produced.

[dr.OgataSerizawa]

Watched these guys land on the south end of the runway at Scott AFB 50-55 years ago. They smoked like a chimney and howled like a wolf! Loved watching them. Beautiful design.

[billjohnson]

My cousin flew 110 missions in the F4C in Vietnam in 1967 without ever touching foot in Vietnam itself. He flew out of Thailand. He was shot down twice but was able to land back in Thailand, once barely over the border. The missles would fly right next to him as he was dodging them. He won a veterans tour of Vietnam many years later and was able to finally see what he was flying over all those many years ago. I prayed hard for his safety every night that he was there flying his missions.

[tippo]

Love the comments of those that either flew or maintained these pieces of aviation brilliance, served many many countries Air Force's for many many years, and one of the most recognisable aircraft ever produced...thank you for the video, may these relics of a bygone era be forever bestowed to our skies...not just memories!!!!

Thank you to all those that have served your Country, no matter which it is, as it is an honourable occupation regardless of where you're from or the Service your were in!!!

Cheers from Sydney Aus!!! 🍻🍻🍻🍻

[robwelch]

I was fortunate enough to fly the F-4E as a young Lt in the USAF from 1975 to 1977, near the beginning of my 40+ year flying career. Loved every minute of it, and the Phantom's still my favorite aircraft. No fighter ever looked more the part- mean and all business (although their are lots of worthy contenders). Certainly, more modern fighters are vastly more capable, but wow what an iconic aircraft it was.

[waynebenedict]

I was an F-4 Plane Capt. in the Marines and always will love these amazing birds!

[deanferren]

I was in the Marines in Vietnam in 1968 and spent part of my tour on top of Hill 327 overlooking Danang and Danang air base !! The F-4’s were my favorite jets and they flew around the clock. They were excellent combat close air support aircraft also. Thanks.
Semper Fi, 1966-1970 🇺🇸🫡🙏🏻

[jamie]

We used to go to the viewing area just outside of Lambert Field to watch the new McDonell Dougles F-4's take flight for the first time, on their way we thought, to Nam back in the 60's. The Phantom is what I always think of/envision when I hear "jet fighter".

[BillStapleton-oyjf]

Was stationed at Ramstein Germany in 75-77 as crew chief on F-4Es, and I miss being around them and feeling the ground shake when those J-79s rev, up.

[gtestastretta]

Big, strong, powerful, and a multi-purpose aircraft. It's one of the best all-round fighter bombers. I know modern aircraft look amazing. But for me, the Phantom will always be number 1.

[poolmonkey]

My dad piloted them for the U.S. Navy. He flew bombing missions over Vietnam in the F-4. He then went on to fly F-14s until 1980. At some point shortly before he retired from the Navy while stationed at China Lake NWC in Ridgecrest, CA, he was tasked with sitting in the F-4 while it was being flown remotely by someone on the ground, during the F-4 missile target drone conversion development. His job was to take the stick if anything went wrong with the remote control systems. Once during a flight the stick suddenly and without warning went full aft and pulled approximately 9 Gs without him being prepared for it. He had neck problems after that. He retired in 1985 and went to work as a civilian engineer at Michelson Lab at China Lake. He was project manager for the Sparrow and Sidewinder missile programs there.

[timmiller]

Used to see these fly over our home in southeastern KY 🇺🇸 when I was a kid! We always ran outside or to a window to see them. LEGEND. AWESOME. PHANTOMS PHOREVER!

Thank you Dafydd for sharing the videos of these and other aircraft!