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USAF Thunderbirds in original F-4E-31-MC Phantoms practicing at Nellis AFB, probably in 1969. The T-Birds flew the F-4Es from 1969 through the 1973 season.

This McDonnell Douglas F-4E-43-MC Phantom II 69-0305 was originally leased to the RAAF while they were awaiting their GD F-111Cs. After returning to the US, it was modified at Ogden ALC in the second traunch of Wild Weasel conversions which featured the improved APR-47 ca. '81. The Phantom spent some time in the Idaho ANG's 190th TFS 124th TFW and was eventually sent to AMARG as "FP1044" on 9 Apr 96, then modified into QF-4G "AF-170" in September '97. Finally, it was expended in missile a test on White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on 3 Aug 00 after 30+ years of service.

F-4J, BuNo 157293 is credited with a shootdown of a North Vietnamese Air Force (NVAF) MiG-21, June 19, 1972 while assigned to VF-31 aboard USS Saratoga, hence the kill marking on the left inlet ramp. HOWEVER: "This aircraft is credited by some with shooting down MiG-21 on June 21, 1972, piloted by Cdr Samuel Flynn and Lt William John. However, Cdr Flynn says that he was flying the F-4J now at the NASM-Dulles when the kill was scored and that his kill markings were transferred to 157293 when he was assigned that plane. 157293 now on display at Texas Air Museum, Caprock Chapter, Slaton, TX." See: wpalette.com/en/planes/34162

Nice! Yüksel