I always loved this plane as a kid. I must have build a dozen models of the F-4. Saw this video and thought the aviation buffs might like it as well.

https://theaviationist.com/201...-the-302nd-squadron/



What an incredible footage of the 302nd Squadron Phantoms!
On Mar. 19, 2019, the 302nd Squadron of the Japan Air Self Defense Force made its last flight with the F-4EJ “Kai” Phantom.

The 302nd was established in 1974 as an F-4EJ Phantom unit. The vertical tail of the Squandron’s Phantoms were marked with a special large mark of OJIROWASI “White-tailed Eagle”: the spotters around Hyakuri base called these aircraft OJIRO (“White-tailed”).

The F-4EJ “Kai” (“extra”) is the latest Japanese variant of the Phantom that has been modernized from the EJ version in the mid-1980s with the installation of a new AN/APG-66J pulse-Doppler radar, a new central computer, a Kaiser HUD (Head Up Display), an AN/APZ-79 IFF system, as well as the ability to carry an AN/ALQ-131 advanced multimode electronic countermeasures pod and to launch the AIM-7E/F Sparrow and the AIM-9L/P Sidewinder AAMs (air-to-air missiles).

The video below pays a tribute to the 302nd Squadron “OJIRO” Phantoms: it includes some really stunning slow motion footage too.



From March 26, 2019, the 302 squadron moved to Misawa air base to operate the JASDF F-35A 5th generation aircraft.

The only remaining F-4 Phantoms left at Hyakuri Base are the 301 Squadron and 501 Reconnaissance Squadron. They will complete their mission in about a year or so.

They certainly got their monies worth out of the Phantom!

I know the old F-4 Phantom is old and a "Model T", but it did everything that I ask it to do........take me an even number of trips across the Red River.

Thanks for posting, always loved the look of the F-4. Nice that they recognize the passing of an era and take the time to paint up a couple and record it for us. They’re F-4s sure don’t seem as smoky as I remember most of them being.

Small nose looks kinda weird. Could be a RF-4??

I’m just very glad they aren’t Empire of Japan Air Force Mitsubishi fighter jets!

Yes, I’ve been watching The Man In The High Castle again.

I've always loved the F4. Proof that the J79 engine could make a brick fly.

Their fuel salesman probably isn't too happy about the retirement.

"The F-4EJ “Kai” has been modernized to launch the AIM-7E/F Sparrow and the AIM-9L/P Sidewinder missiles."

They needed to evolve and get to a platform that can launch AIM-120s.

Thank you. That was beautiful...

One the most successful aircraft platforms ever made. I’ve met more than a few phantom flyers who held those birds in deep reverence. The meanest looking fighter, especially on the ground, I’ve ever seen...

Thanks for sharing. F-4s are one of my favorite aircraft platforms.

Thanks for posting that. The F4 Phantom was always my favorite. I also built the models as a kid. I had an F4J hanging from my bedroom ceiling.

The audio doesn't do it justice. There's nothing quite like the sound of an F4 taking off in full afterburner.

We sent some of those over to France in 1914 right.

An awesome and fiersome fighter. What a shock it'll be for the pilots going from vintage F4s to F35s.

Thanks. That was special to me on two counts:

1. I love the F4 and

2. I was stationed at Misawa Air Base twice. In 1972/3 JASDF was still flying Sabres! I spent a fair bit of time at the end of the runway watching them as the Sabre is near the top of my 10 favorite jets list.

Great tribute!

quote:

Originally posted by texassierra:
An awesome and fiersome fighter. What a shock it'll be for the pilots going from vintage F4s to F35s.

I don’t think they are as “vintage” as you think, they’ve been upgraded to the extreme and the transition won’t be that big a shock.

Wasn’t Croatia or Romania flying all-upgraded-out-the-wazoo Mig-21’s called Lancers that could actually still give your typical F-16 a run for the money?

Something like 50 years old eh? I was a kid in Myrtle Beach in the 80s. I loved watching the A-10s. Once I heard a very loud jet. I figures 10 A-10s in formation, and ran out to see them. It was one F-4 and even then, it was very high.

Turns jet fuel into noise! In this day and age, it's a very beautiful and historic target. Best to put them on the ground and buy some 15s or 16s.

My Uncle was an F4E pilot. When I was about 12 he gave me his F4 Phantom Mach2 club pin, for flying twice the speed of sound. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. He is 84 now, and I still enjoy listening to his Air Force stories.

quote:

Originally posted by fvyellowbird:
Thanks for posting, always loved the look of the F-4. Nice that they recognize the passing of an era and take the time to paint up a couple and record it for us. They’re F-4s sure don’t seem as smoky as I remember most of them being.

Earlier J79-xx before combustor section mods, were "smokey", because they ran rich to allow fuel to cool the hot section.

After the mods the engines were "smokeless".

I used to say, "if the Soviets ever develop a smoke seeking missile, missiles will be finding Hogs in the wash rack!"

I loved that jet. Loved the sound of the whine on the flight-line, the roar of zone on takeoff, the hooting and howling of the C/D models.

It was anything but a brick. It might have been heavy, but it was pretty slippery.

And it could haul some groceries.