F-4 Fireball During Test Flight at Edwards AFB Flight Test Center. The Chase Pilot's perspective!

[@calvingifford9442]

Great story! That kinda reminds me, I live near NAWS China Lake but haven't been down to the AFFTC Museum in quite some time.

[@redwingdetroit9671]

Great coverage.

[@muzmason3064]

Love your tellings Ron you make this 60yr old 'boy' very happy 😎🕊🤘

[@ronrogers]

Thanks!

[@code3responsevideos872]

That reminds me of my terminal manager, he years ago said something to a lower level worker “ you’re not management material” fast forward to today, the terminal manager is still a terminal manager. But the other guy? He’s now a regional vice president and he fired my terminal manager last week!!! Don’t make enemies because you never know where they’ll end up!!!

[@ronrogers]

You got that right!!

[@billymac50]

Good old Jumers Castle lodge! We used to overnight at the one in Champaign. Decorated like an old Bavarian lodge with the 10 foot fake bear in the lobby. Thanks for bringing back the memories. And good story too!

[@benwatkins7600]

Thank you for a very engaging episode !

[@briangibbs3774]

Another great story, Capt. Rogers. I always enjoy the content, as well as your relaxed, friendly delivery, as if you were talking to an old and trusted friend.

[@ronrogers]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@volchip]

Wow Jumers Castle Lodge have not heard that name in 40+ years! This was the go to place for dinners with customers back in the day. Good memories for a young engineer out of school in my first gig.

[@michaeldenesyk3195]

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving Ron, thank you for the history

[@ronrogers]

Same to you!

[@pongokamerat8601]

I love your stories! I tried to get into military flying in the 80s, bud couldn't. I became a civilian pilot and am now retired. Military flying has however alway interested me, and civilian.

[@stu176mmm]

Great stories, thanks !

[@ronrogers]

Glad you like them!

[@theejectionsite1038]

Ron, again an interesting story, and I love the photos. I'd really like to get a jpg of that ejection test one in particular! The seat has pitched about 30-45 degrees forward and yawed nearly 90 degrees left in less than an half second from leaving the cockpit. That is pretty excessive and unusual. Hard to tell with the compression artifacts in the video but the seat isn't an H-7 (Normal Phantom seat) I'm pretty sure, possibly an early F/A-18 NACES. As I've said before, thanks for the stories and keep them coming. They are worth listening too!

[@ronrogers]

Send me your email and I can send you a copy.

[@theejectionsite1038]

@@ronrogers I sent you an email at your listed address, thanks!

[@hxs9726]

I was an F-4 WSO back in the 70's. The fuel system is fairly straightforward. I can't imagine how you could split it to keep two kinds of fuel separate. That must have involved a lot of plumbing work.

[@Peter-u6d]

I agree, having worked on the F-4 fuel system a little bit it would be interesting to see how they did that.

[@jefreagan]

As soon as you started talking about types of fuels and a stall, I knew there would be a flameout and restart in there somewhere; pretty basic. It sounds like the flame ball was well behind the F4 so as not to damage or burn the paint even! Love your stories; reminds me of my old man who was also an T38 IP (earlier than you) and a Phantom driver in South East Asia. But I digress…

[@ronrogers]

Correct, no damage to the aircraft.

[@BeechSportBill]

My mentor Maj Dick “Shorty” Shortridge practices flying the T-33 up to aileron buzz.

[@FloridaMan02]

Cap'n Ron, do you know the Triple Nickel F4 Squadron?

[@ronrogers]

Yes, very famous!

[@FloridaMan02]

@ronrogers dad was part of it. Many family photos are similar to yours. He "flew" some then secret 500 foot 500 knot remote piloted F4s all around cuba. flew as in was on board safety and test monitor lol One striking photo is shadows of pressure gradients on the dessert below.

[@fish4kbcf]

Ron what are the chances you could do a walk around of some of the aircraft you flew? I have 2 F-4s about 10 miles from me in museums. Both have MiG kills and one was flown by Steve Ritchie when he bagged one of his MiGs. Hearing from someone who flew the F-4 and getting to hear you do a walk around and talk about it would be a VERY cool video if you have the chance

[@ronrogers]

That sounds like a very cool video!

[@RobertMcGrath-dx1uv]

F111 used to dump fuel and light it up with the afterburner. Impressive sight at night.

[@GeneCash]

High angle of attack in an F-4? Braver men than I!!

[@ronrogers]

Rudder only!!

[@williammoreno2378]

Captain, I think I read several years ago that USAF now uses commercial JET-A phasing out JP-8 for pretty much all their aircraft.

[@NeroontheGoon]

Ron, are you aware of “Operation Sage Burner” using F-4’s? I can’t remember where I saw the footage but I distinctly remember that aircraft experiencing what appears to be a series of PIO’s and disintegrating. Are you aware of this incident?

[@ronrogers]

Yes I am. An example of an early issue with distructive PIOs.

[@NeroontheGoon]

@ When I saw that footage as a young aircraft mechanic I was like “Oh dear god!” Was that an unusual occurrence in the F-4’s or one of the airframes hidden demons?

[@ronrogers]

I was a VERY early flight control issue that was corrected very quickly.

[@donny526]

Ron do think the most important thing for a fighter pilot is maintaining situational awareness. Seems like it

[@ronrogers]

YES

[@donny526]

It’s sad when a pilot come out of a loop and can’t recover that’s what I keep in mind let’s not get in a corner

[@johnmorykwas2343]

I have experience in the F-4 touch. Somewhat different when the seals on the centerline would leak when pressurized and the fuel enters the aft section while in burner during takeoff.

[@ronrogers]

That is a much more serious condition! I assume you immediately jettisoned the than(s)?

[@jefreagan]

@@ronrogersAre those T.H.A.N.s the hard points for a fuel tank or the tank itself? “Through Hole to Attach Nut” is a term we also use in shipbuilding.

[@ronrogers]

I can't answer that unfortunately.

[@trottermalone379]

So I have to ask; was that F-4 pilot Bobby E. by any chance?

[@ronrogers]

Bobby H.

[@trottermalone379]

@@ronrogers I would have bet money... In any event, the aviation world has always been small and is tragically getting smaller every day. Thank you for your efforts to keep it vital and engaging!

[@donny526]

My work comp inspector was f4 pilot in nam. He means do it now

[@silverdrillpickle7596]

Anything F-4 is a Grandslam in my book! 🫡

[@garyw8481]

Amen brother! 8 years on them as jet mechanic!

[@ronmoya6964]

So why did the major leave Edward’s??

[@ronrogers]

Good question; I never actually asked him. I was surprised that at one SETP national conference, many of the pilots came up to us asking about airline jobs. I was rather taken aback! I guess people even in the military test world were not happy.

[@erwinschmidt7265]

Hmmm....1st contact w/F4 Phantom? Well, early '53, Dad had to go to D.C., as old WW2 Buddy moving, & 1st Top Secret DOD meeting for Buddy, but Mom stood Dad up as usual, so I was a tag-along. At 3, these folks looked rich, as had servant help Dad in w/his sht for Armor & such, but one turned out to be Dad's Buddy, saw my sketch book, & helped his self to it. I didn't need no critic, but he said, "Son, this exotic plane of your's, here, that you named Hunter Killer, has a Navy Reserved Name, & looks like it could be used for much, much more! Dad had told me address this old guy as, "General", as was our Host, so I answered, "General Sir, but have latest version in back, & that's the one that includes the Navy, w/gull type outer wings, to control it landing on boats, but would be great for Bombing & Dogfighting too, according to my Uncle! Seems sht didn't go too pretty well, for General, because heard him shout, "These are like various WW2 Designs, w/various jet engines stuck in or out of em', and that goes for the Ruskie's Designs as well, w/all resembling a modified doggie-do! I have young Soldier in office here, just doodling on his sketch pad, that puts our stuff to shame!" He stuck head in door & asked, "May I see "Our" sketch pad, please?" I handed him the sketches, but said there's a brand new frontal view you might like, "General". He casually flipped to Cover, & screamed, "H__Y S__T"!!! Couple Guards rushed in as he said, "Why didn't you warn me about that, Young Man??" I answered, "But I did General, saying you might like it." Recovering, General said, "Good job Son!", I'll bring it right back, thou I'm still waitin' for it! General had photog take my Picture, & left for home w/"Top Secret, Eyes Only" Security ID Card. Found out had been hired by Ike as "Minor Volunteer", to dodge Child Labor Laws, thou monthly "Stipend" checks triple what Dad earned at factory, so when 13, bought 'em a "Contractor's Model Home" right on Howell Lake, and put myself thru University too! JFK inherited me in '61, but some clown shot 'em couple years later, very sad......

[@benwatkins7600]

Really good story, thanks.

[@rlsmith6904]

Thanks Ron.

[@ronrogers]

You are very welcome

[@maxsmodels]

I just finished the EAFB A-37 chase model. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpfbXpd4gK1mmJI

[@ronrogers]

Looks Beautiful!!

[@deanc.5984]

I don't know if you know this but, you're kinda cool 🍺🫡😎

[@ronrogers]

Tell my kids that!