quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
I still have my speed handle and saftey wire pliers.

I still have a set of those myself, along with several spools of wire in the various flavors...but can't help with the kerosene go-juice.

I am in for a time share.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:


I still have my speed handle and saftey wire pliers.

I was ordnance for an F-4 squadron(and earlier, a couple of A-4 squadrons), and I can't tell you how many times I used safety wire pliers. I don't have any need for them any more, but it would be neato to have some as a memento to my USMC days.

I was proud to have been associated with F-4s on a personal level, but just like with classic cars, I only admire them with no real desire to own one. They are crude reminders of what once was.

quote:

Originally posted by ontmark:
I am in for a time share.

6 minutes a year enough?

I'm in for a group buy!

And who gives a flying shit about the fuel burn? It's an F-4!

That F-4 is parked across the street from my house. While an F4 would be fun, and with me being a Helo guy I'd much rather have the UH-1B they have thats done up in HAL-3 colors




As a side note I helped restore this one that's on the deck of the USS Midway Museum (My name's is listed on the plaque) . One of my first Detachment Chiefs was in that squadron in Viet Nam.

You guys are cool. I'm happy to share internet space with you.

quote:

Originally posted by Flashlightboy:
it takes 40 man hours of maintenance for every flight hour.

HOLY SHEET!!! Are you serious?

So if I assume aircraft maintenance bills out at $100 per hour (just for labor), that would be $4,000 per hour in labor just to fly it. That of course does not include any parts or fuel. YIKES!

The sale add is a little concerning to me. It states " operational ejection seats" what ever that means. Back
in 96 I was part of a small group of F-104 nuts that reassembled and recertified EXPERAMENTAL two F-104s. I'm
not up to speed on FAA cert today, back then recertification was required if ownership changed, that process took a
year. We spent over $350.000 just to make 3 ejection seats !00% legal in 96, today 2 seats could cost $500.000+.
If you can find someone to fund the project ,by all means go for it. My 4 year experience with what became
" STARFIGHTERS " was the highlight of my 50 year career in Aviation. It all started in 1963 as Crew Chief on the F-104A
BTW, Darryl Greenamyer broke the F4 speed record @ 1010 mph. For you aviation folks, that's 860 knots IAS +-
in what was essentially a home built F-104 made from parts of several aircraft left over at the "Skunk Works"
Darryl had a set for sure. RIP Darryl!

Dear Sig forum: Should I buy an F-4 or a Huey?

We all know the answer. We're gonna need a bigger hangar...

UH1H is what I was a crew chief on. That is where my love of aviation lies. Flew a 46 T craft as a teen taught by my mentor and "big brother". But you have to love the jets at full afterburner.

I'll be happy to fly it - while it won't hover the go fast operations are the same.

Guys, we tried this with the Bugatti and we could never agree on a schedule for everyone, and it was $1 million cheaper.

The F-4 is one of the noisiest planes ever made.

flashguy

I could probably still remember how to service the weapons systems.

Filling up the tanks may prove costly.

quote:

Originally posted by navyshooter:
40 minute flight in an F-4 Phantom: $15,000

Well, I've got the moolah and would love to experience a flight, but at my age and condition I don't think I could even get the Nomex suit on, let along manage to enter the aircraft. So I'll just have to fanticize (and save the money).

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
The F-4 is one of the noisiest planes ever made.

flashguy

They weren't huntin' wabbits...

My Uncle was a F4e pilot. When I was about 12 he gave his F4 Mach2 club pin. I thought he was the coolest guy ever. 40 years later and I still think he is pretty cool.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:


HOLY SHEET!!! Are you serious?

So if I assume aircraft maintenance bills out at $100 per hour (just for labor), that would be $4,000 per hour in labor just to fly it. That of course does not include any parts or fuel. YIKES!

Not that uncommon in aviation. Consider a generator at 40,000 to 80,000 dollars, and it goes up from there. Even if the aircraft doesn't fly, it still undergoes considerable, expensive maintenance, and many components are both calendar time and cycle or hours limited; They get replaced or overhauled regardless of whether the aircraft flies.

The advertised hourly costs for many modern military aircraft are lowballed for political purposes. The cost of even older tacticla aircraft such as an F-16 is in the order of 40,000+/hourly, when considering all the costs associated with keeping that aircraft online.

Older, exotic aircraft will be considerably more costly to maintain.