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Tracor
Operated NF-4D N430FS, formerly 66-7483, wearing a striking white and blue scheme, and named 'The Blue Barron'. |
©
Peter Greengrass
EOS-3 28-70mm K64 250/f8 |
PhanCon
'99 commenced on 7th October with
'Det 1', an optional tour of Mojave Airport, for a bargain $5 per
person! Fortunately the high winds of the preceding day had eased off, making
it possible to stand up outside (they don't put all those wind generators
on the surrounding mountains for no reason). Following a tour of the totally
un-Phantom related Scaled Composites facilities (they build weird looking
aeroplanes), it was straight onto the very Phantom related Tracor Flight Systems
Inc. ramp.
Tracor
operate the largest civilian fleet of Phantoms, currently with four ex-Air
Force F-4Ds on strength in the support and evaluation role for their QF-4
drone conversion contract for the USAF. Also present in the TFSI white and
blue livery were two F-86 Sabre's and a single T-33.
 |
F-4D
N424FS (64-0965) is operated by Tracor Flight Systems, seen here configured
for drogue refuelling trials. The four 'Deltas' were delivered to Tracor
in 1991, replacing a small fleet of F-4Cs
EOS-1N 50mm K25 125/F7.1 |
 |
F-4D
N426FS (65-0763), another Tracor machine. The aircraft are flown by civilian
pilots in the test and evaluation role for the drone conversion programme.
EOS-1N 50mm K25 125/F7.1 |
 |
F-4D
N427FS (66-7505), also on the Tracor register, wearing the familiar
Egypt One camouflage scheme as worn during the final front line USAF
years. The radome paint scheme, sweeping back to the cockpit, appears
to be that worn by the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Minnesota
Air National Guard.
EOS-1N 50mm K25 125/F7.1 |
 |
QF-4E
66-0338 is a 'veteran' drone, having been delivered to the 475th WEG at
Tyndall AFB in February 1997. Still going strong some two and a
half years later, following a guest appearance at PhanCon '98, it now
seems to be receiving further modifications from Tracor.
EOS-1N 50mm K25 125/F7.1 |
 |
F-4G
69-7254/WW, a recent arrival from AMARC, awaits its turn at Mojave for
conversion to a 'Red Tail' target drone. The WW tailcode indicates that
the aircraft last flew with the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, the F-4
training wing, based at George AFB in California. The white fin cap
is believed to indicate the 563rd TFS, which deactivated in October
1989.
EOS-1N 50mm K25 125/F7.1 |
 |
QF-4G
69-7257 is another recently converted 'Red Tail'. This Phantom is believed
to have finished its operational Weasel career with the 35th TFW at George
AFB, having been stored at AMARC since the early 90's.
EOS-1N 50mm K64 125/F11 |
 |
QF-4G
69-0260 is a recent drone conversion. The aircraft last flew operationally
with the 561st Fighter Squadron, as part of the then 57th Fighter Wing
at Nellis AFB.
EOS-3 28-70mm K25 125/F7.1 |
 |
Saab
TF-35 Draken N168TP of the National Test Pilots School, seen taxiing in
after a short sortie. The aircraft is ex Royal Danish Air Force, its former
serial being AT-154.
EOS-3 28-70mm K25 125/F7.1 |
 |
KC-135R
61-0292 of the 22nd Air Refuelling Wing at McConnell AFB, seen awaiting
departure from the Mojave flightline. A number of KC-135s are currently
at Mojave undergoing upgrade work, believed to include glass cockpit
and hose & drogue pod conversions.
EOS-3 28-70mm K64 250/F8 |
 |
Candair
F-86 Sabre 5 N86FS, formerly 23367 of the Sabre Transition Unit, Royal
Canadian Air Force. The aircraft is currently in open storage, with the
cockpit sealed with sun reflecting foil.
EOS-5 50mm K64 250/F8 |
As is usual on a PhanCon ramp tour, there were no restrictions on photography, which enabled some serious 'Kodachroming' of the resident machinery, which included a number of recently or soon to be converted QF-4Gs, a 'veteran' QF-4E present for modification work, two KC-135Rs and a National Test Pilot School Saab Draken.
| Report:Tim
Hunter Photos:Peter Greengrass |