Huge turbine-powered F4 Phantom RC plane maiden flight

This is the maiden flight of Peter Brown's very large, very nice, very expensive Skymaster jet-powered F4 Phantom radio controlled model airplane.
Nicely detailed and very nicely flown at the SWMAC in May 2010.

[@pvampire]

I used to fly F4 N/J/s's in the USMC as well as the RF4B, and if you didnt label the video, or taxi it in front of people, I would not have been able to tell it was a model. The craftmenship is supurb andt the detail is the best I've ever seen! Congradulations on such a fine model. It really took me back to my flying days!

[@MrFentonguy]

I flew an RF4C in Nam long ago...this vid brought back memories

[@deathriders83]

Thank You Sir For You're Service! 🇺🇸💪

[@jamespawlowski4310]

I worked on the RF4C at Shaw AFB in 65-68

[@neilstern7108]

Glad it's just a memory now.

[@ltv..123]

..and your comment brought back flashbacks…..

[@keithwhisman]

“It’s got the wing loading of a big windowless building” hahaha. It sunk like a rock on that landing. F4 is the hot rod of the skies. Just a beautiful airplane.

[@strezztechnoid]

Working as a ground support mechanic at Mira Mar Naval Air Station, the wing groups in the number of at six were a constant feature with F-4's occupying the lions share of flight time. In 1974, a number of F-14's being qualified and flight profile tested ended in tragedy all too often, lower power turns in 180 degree approaches at less than 300 meters off the tarmac with wings oriented at 90 degrees from the horizon (i.e. lower power and zero aerodynamic lift). Amazing to use 440V starters to power up the F-4's and push the turbines with ground blowers. The people that made this baby did an exquisite job of detailing and making operational this aircraft. In fact, it is so well detailed and built it reveals any witness I had to the actual aircraft on the ground at the time. Beautifully constructed and meticulously detailed--great job.

[@kolbpilot]

That's a symbol of the past. The Playboy bunny. The F4 certainly looked cool, I was fortunate enough to remember them in the air when younger. This one looks fantastic painted black. Well done.

[@MrHueroloco13]

I remember watching these fly out of March AFB when I was younger, such a gorgeous plane...DAT SHAPE!!!

[@leefithian3704]

Beautiful , that shape is based o a series of aerodynamic “bandaids’ to get it to fly right lol

[@tony3461]

This is the most beautiful Phantom RC model I have ever seen! Good show, guys!!!

[@IntntnlProSatire]

What?! No live miniature Tomahawks?? ;) Totally awesome, the F-4 was Always my personal fav model as a kid..

[@affendihamzah5587]

Right you are she’s one beauty queen

[@Eyes-of-Horus]

I was going to say the same thing. Imagine a small camera connected to a computer on it creating a video of the flight.

[@coldfoot99]

Way back in the early 70"s I worked around a similar real version of this fine aircraft at Shaw AFB, the RF4 C (recon version) in the 62nd. TAC Recon Sqdn. Will never forget the sound they made with full AB on takeoff. Some of those taxi shots looked so real. Beautiful plane.

[@exnbcnco]

You ever make it to Torrejon, Spain?

[@coldfoot99]

Nope, sure didn't. Got a PCS move out of TAC to MAC at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. Got out of the flying squadron and was assigned to a photo detachment. I was a ground photo maintenance troop. Went from the very warm south to the very cold north. Still here in AK. And right now, it's 0 degrees F outside. They did have the F4 aircraft when I arrived in AK as alert intercept. They chased after the Russian bombers on a fairly regular basis back in the "cold war" days. Cannons and missiles on those birds.

[@47ronin61]

coldfoot99 Was a kid outside of Shaw AFB in the late 60s, man oh man! a beautiful sight to see on a daily basis... Nothing like a Phantom F4D, tough as shyt...

[@tacmac95]

Did the same at Bergstrom in Austin, TX.

[@jrfoleyjr]

Your F4 is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. It gave me goosebumps watching it take off, fly, and land. The F4 Phantom is my favorite Vietnam era war plane. I served aboard the US Navy destroyer USS Benner DD807 when we were plane guarding for the USS Ranger CVA61 at Yankee Station off the coast of Vietnam. I saw many of these planes take off and land on the carrier from 1000 yards back.

[@homefront3162]

jrfoleyjr My dad flew em off carriers in Nam

[@h22accordexr]

jrfoleyjr This is also my favorite Vietnam era jet, and all jets combined as well. Looks like a beasty tank with a tail and wings and a Mach 2.2+ top speed. Can't go wrong with that 😎

[@92548dannyt]

Absolutely beautiful. and as for jrfoleyjr, Thank you for your service sir.

[@Lost1inDetroit]

Very nice looking plane. Always liked the look as they tried to keep up with the RA-5C.

[@danhenderson3097]

jrfoleyjr I tested the DECM system on this particular VX-4 aircraft, known as “Black Beauty”, and it was a particularly great aircraft. Testing was initially done at Pt. Mugu in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The DECM installation, known as “Shoehorn”, because of the need to add the ALQ-51 or ALQ-100 DECM boxes to an already packed aircraft, and long RF cables for both the receive and transmit antennas of the DECM system. The forward and aft antennas had very long RF cable runs, and there was at least 10dB of line loss at 9 Ghz for even the best cables in the 1960-70 time period. That means the 1000 watt transmitter lost 90% of its power simply to get the energy to the transmit antennas. Needless to say, things have improved much in line losses at 9GHz since the 1960’s....

[@tdibell]

I served with the 1/26th Marines in Vietnam and saw a few of these. Protected our ass many, many times. A big shout out to the flyers of these F4s!! The one and only thing missing was that black smoke trail they almost always had. Very realistic and the paint job and markings were perfect! Good job!!

[@JaleelJohanson62]

Awesome build! The scale detail is impeccable! Flies quite nicely too!

[@phillipholmes5206]

I've always loved the Phantom and think it was the most beautiful looking fighter jet ever. I don't know how much patience you would need to build one, but I definitely don't have it. Fantastic achievement.

[@Bowtie41]

Low camera angle makes it look spooky realistic.Nice job!

[@MichaelM.94]

2:06 you can see he putted a lots of time and effort in his plane, he even gets emotional. 3 seconds later, he puls up his shoulders :) like, here we go ...

[@seb250cr]

The F-4 has always been one of my favourite fighter plane ever. Your scale model is astonishing !

[@ElPasoTubeAmps]

Wow...that is definitely off the scale - thanks for posting - keep up the good work and have fun.

[@KRW628]

This is a replica of the real jet black Playboy F4. Major Cool!!

[@motorcop505]

The F-4 was one of my favorite planes ever. Its lines are so sleek and beautiful. They simply screamed in the air, too! This model is gorgeous and flys like a dream.

[@kennethhoffman8845]

Very convincing when taxiing. Very smooth and with out tell-tale jiggling that gives away that it is a model....

[@gregsr.halter7266]

I worked for VX-4 when I was in the Navy 50 years ago. I loved this video.

[@garywilliams5332]

Very impressive looks and performance...and cost. He's got more invested in it than most of us have in our automobiles.Not knocking it though,throttle up!!

[@billshepard2502]

Beautiful, highly detailed aircraft!!

[@firstnamelastname3574]

Now, all that he needs to do, is rig it up so that the pilot waves at the onlookers! VERY IMPRESSIVE! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

[@zacharymohrmann4329]

Beautiful Plight Peter, and awesome F4 Phantom...! Thank you for sharing your maiden flight with us... Cheers....!

[@jamesfoley2720]

BEAUTIFUL. I saw a lot of the full size F-4 jets flying from the USS Ranger when I was in the navy. This plane and the F-14 are my favorite jets.

[@HackHunters]

F4 Fantom was awesome and this is very close to how I would imagine it looked inflight. The speed and handling looked right on. Loved the 'eye level' shots making the plane look massive and mean.

[@x-man5056]

I wrenched on F-4's for several years. I think yours flys better than the real ones. It's a beauty.

[@mikemirabella4872]

Absolutely gorgeous plane. Best I've seen. Kudos to the pilot.

[@danielgeorge2708]

This model was nicely constructed.In some views it was incredibly realistic,and was stable in the air.Nice job!

[@andybrown9111]

Great video. I was lucky enough to fly the RAF version in the 80s and loved every minute of it. Can't beat it.

[@dave0mary]

Flying something this nice looking and EXPENSIVE, takes guts. Continuing the flight high speed after a part fell of without landing and investigating is something else.

[@k9bark]

Absolutely gorgeous airplane. The F4 is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built and in black it is truly a piece of art. Flies very nicely, too. Great job!!!

[@mytemight]

In 1969 at the Point Magu Space Air Fair, I was lucky enough to see the real color scheme on the real aircraft! It was outstanding! just as outstanding as your model, my compliments.

[@ericflemming5000]

If I didn't know it was a model I would swear it was the original. To bad you don't have the drogue chute come out the back when she lands. Thanks for bring her back to life!

[@MrMalibug]

If it had a chute it would be an Airforce Model, Navy/Marine Corp fighters have a tail hook.

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

Beautiful aircraft! Perfect takeoff and landing. Enjoyed the orbit around the airfield, too. Reminded me of so many times we had a pair of F4s working a close air support orbit in front of our troop line. Real poetry in motion.

[@johnhartman3149]

What a beauty! I grew up in Reno Nevada and twice a day a full flight of these flew over our house in full afterburner on their way to Fallon Naval (Top gun filmed here) so miss those birds! Thank you for sharing!

[@robertgantry2118]

What a beautiful airplane. I've always liked the F-4 Phantom, and this one is exceptionally beautiful.

[@staindclass]

What a brutish beautiful plane! Awsome detail and size. Always has been one of my favorite jet airplanes that have ever flown. I love the look!!!

[@TheX-3d]

I'm old enough to have worked the flight deck of the Coral sea when we still had F-4s. Still love them today.

[@oldschooler75]

What a beautiful plane!

[@executivecoup1825]

I worked on RF-4C' s at RAF Alconbury for 2 years, Shaw AFB, S.C. 5 Years and at Osan AB, Korea for a year. They could be a pain in the ass to work on but I have no regrets. This one is particularly beautiful. This gentleman put his heart and skill into this aircraft and it most definitely shows. As for some parts falling off, meh, thats an F-4 for ya ! 😁

[@Cyclist0623]

The nose wheel light is a nice touch of realism. Very nice.

[@gaius_enceladus]

Beautiful aircraft! I was a bit worried seeing it land - it was coming in quite steeply and I thought it'd crash but it was corrected just in time! A little bit of flare and a perfect landing!

[@wendyowens4125]

That airframe is such a beauty...Great job.

[@waitewilmore8414]

F-4 still one the baddest fighter jets ever!

[@homefront3162]

waite wilmore That Followed by the F-14 for sure

[@annecrowell6417]

from f4 forever

[@chosh3637]

Nah it’s the bf 109, spitfire, f4u Corsair, Me 262, p51, and even more fighters

[@aaronharris6299]

@@chosh3637 he said fighter jets dumbass. And the only jet you listed was a piece of shit that came out too late in the war to ever have an impact on the war.

[@chosh3637]

juggliar American Bias >:(

[@ricksprings]

The detail is 100% authentic! Great job my man 👍🏾

[@libertyvilleguy2903]

Looks like movie footage, sound included. Bravo!

[@tmax557]

I worked on F4(E,G) for several years in the Airforce, even got to fly in one once. Only problem I saw with this one was it didn't have flames shooting out the back on takeoff(after burner :)) and it did not fly like it was made of concrete. Beautiful...and great flying! Maybe build the next one out of 2X4's to get the real F4 flying effect :).

[@lancerevell5979]

Hehe..... Yep, proof that with enough power, a brick can fly. Excellent RC model! Looks and sounds realistic.

[@mocharger06]

I LOVE the low angle photography!

[@duncancoolidge4041]

What a superior modeling job and excellent piloting.

[@DataTypeX]

F4's are such awesome planes... and this one is just BEAUTIFUL!

[@danahan01]

Looks like something came off the plane at 2:28 just after takeoff. The F-4, however, is a beautiful example of "If you put a big enough engine in it, even a brick will fly". Cool Plane....

[@djmips]

At 5:06 he remarks that one of the undercarriage doors flung off.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

Looked like a landing gear door. Exceeded VsubLO maybe lol...

[@Tampaslice]

My knees were knocking just watching it roll down the runway for takeoff. Top notch flying!

[@FloydStandiferIV]

I had to laugh after reading the comments, but that is a very beautiful plane, and the whine of the turbine as it spools up is simply awwesome, wishing I was able to build one right now

[@LanceWinslow]

WOW, that looks sooo real. Nice work

[@audiophiliac]

Looks amazing, great job. Nervous just watching though, I don't think I'd have the guts to fly it.

[@DataTypeX]

One word to describe that plane, flight, and video. AWESOME!!!!

[@overbank56]

I can't imagine that hours in the work that goes into building one of those things

[@smallbiz9852]

Gorgeous model of one of my favorite planes. Say these fly almost daily for years. Next to the A-10 this is the closest thing to a flying tank the US has put in the air.

[@StanWilhite]

Beautiful plane! I'm 59 yrs old and I've always been partial to the design of the F4. Air intake design and locations, upturned wing tips, down turned hor stabilizers....just an overall beautiful design! I'm old enough to remember the planes being used in Viet Nam. My oldest son is a pilot in the AF. I guess he's living my dream. :-) Thanks for the video! Stan in N AL (close to Huntsville).

[@Johnnyflash1]

absolutely may favorite paint scheme on the phantom!! well played!

[@austrian96]

Wow! Very cinematic footage!!!

[@Nfarce]

It howls like the real bird! There will never be anything like the sound of a couple of old smokey J-79s in a Phantom. Ever. This model does the real deal proud. God what a beauty!

[@cyborgbadger1015]

One of those vids I keep comin back to watch again

[@darrellbigfoot6989]

Beautiful model. Good flying too. Congratulations Peter.

[@urgdaddy]

Best detail I've seen in a RC....excellent craftmanship.

[@gripchion]

Beautiful plane Peter, nice maiden, excellent landing!!!!!!!!!

[@SsiolisP]

What a beauty!!! Cheers Mr. Brown!

[@flyurway]

SWEET! Nice looking plane. Got to hand it to your video guy, a lot of those camera angles made it look like the real thing!

[@toasttsaot]

Well done Pete. Looks like the wait was worth it! Will compliment the Vampire nicely.

[@helipassion]

detail is out of this world! 72Mhz radio... amazing!

[@prstauro]

Awesome video and F-4 Phantom RC replica.

[@sotm6078]

Awesome acceleration! Very detailed also.

[@lunageologist]

Amazing, simply amazing, if it were not for the large antennae sitting off the port nacel, I would have sworn some of those shots were of the real thing! Great attention to detail, great build, great flying, and wonderful videography. I am truly jealous.

[@tommygunn9243]

i was station at VX-4 on NAS Pt Mugu between 1971-1974. i was one of many of the Airframe Mechanics {AMS/AMH} that maintained this bird. the best looking F4 ever.

[@GaryLaaks1]

Perfect and beutiful plane to look at and it flies beutifully. Love the detail.

[@bullranderman]

That's outstanding ! Well done fellas, really enjoyed seeing an F 4 in the again! Great scale speed

[@robcostido]

Sheer beauty! Being a fellow VX'er, you couldn't have picked a better paint scheme!

[@spsfl1971]

Looks great! I have to admit that when I saw the "Huge" tagline, I was thinking it was going to be a 16' long 1/4 scale Phantom - looks about the same as all the turbine powered kits, like the BVM stuff, but great job finishing and looks like it flies well. Hope you guys enjoy it!!!!

[@Eyes-of-Horus]

The Phantom was a work of art. It is just beautiful to look at.

[@DScottWhitaker]

Amazing, thanks for sharing!

[@PapaSanDoc]

Those things flew around the clock when I was stationed at Korat Royal Thai Airbase in ‘72...We owe a lot to this plane.

[@craigpennington1251]

A super nice aircraft and the attention to detail is excellent. Seems to be flying great. Thanks for a great video.

[@crewdawg16]

Absolutely gorgeous model, nice maiden!

[@pwo128]

I just love the look of the F4 - a fabulously graceful aircraft.

[@RobZfisherman]

Beautiful plane and great maiden voyage!

[@Ulleval73]

Great video....I enjoyed Peter Brown's very understated comments. Class act.

[@bdog3869]

Wow, fantastic job on the build and sweet landing.

[@christopherfranklin4760]

Absolutely freaking outstanding. A thousand kudos to the guys who obviously put a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money in one of these. I was a little fearful of what the landing was going to look like. Pulled it off superbly. I watched a guy lose his B-25 on a bad landing in another video.

[@makawaomango]

except for a quicker, shorter, takeoff, unreal! beautiful job! I havent seen a more beautiful job ever! I was with VF-151 in the 60's and 70's, on two different carriers, the coral sea and the midway. We always had a water shortage onboard and had to clean the bird by hand with waterless hand cleaner. The phantom was a brute! Beautiful job.

[@iascoinc]

Absolutely my new favorite Rc aircraft and Rc aircraft video. Absolutely fantastic.

[@TheophilusPWildbeest]

Wing loading like a small windowless building! - Great comment. Love how it flys like a Phantom, not like a model.

[@pdc023]

Very, very nice plane, and good flying. Smoothest landing I've ever seen. Great job all around. Thanks for posting.

[@bradpostal]

Outstanding example of a turbine RC! Well done!

[@bonyard31]

That's awesome. Incredible detail

[@NcalBiker]

Amazing how things have progressed since my Sky Squire and Sr. Falcon days.

[@born2dv8]

AWESOME job on this jet! Nice Video - Thanks!

[@allgood6760]

Looks like the same RC aircraft I saw at a Wings Over Waiarapa airshow a few years back.. thanks mate from Wgtn👍🇳🇿

[@11Loplop]

Very nice. And the cameraman seem like professionals, very good.

[@sanfranciscobay]

Cool looking model. Regarding Fuel Consumption of the J79 Turbine Engines in the F4 Phantom, F104 Starfighter, A5 Vigilante and the B58 Hustler, one turbine would burn 10 gallons of fuel per second when in full afterburner. The F4 Phantom had two of them and they would burn 20 gallons per second in full afterburner.

[@gregedwards1087]

What's a "Gallon", is that some sort of medieval measurement?

[@camgnilpe9300]

madcat fuck the metric system!

[@christopherfranklin4760]

You think the J-79 has lousy mileage, try a TF-30.

[@gregedwards1087]

@@camgnilpe9300, incorrect, you should have said that the American Imperial system is fucked, look at your Gallon, it is 3.78 Litres whereas the real Imperial gallon was 4.6 litres, you are getting ripped off by your government dude. Feel free to join us in the 21st Century whenever you like. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ponyxpress3]

Mad Cat Ripped off? $1.75 a gallon is a bargain compared to your shitty petrol costs. They make you feel like you are getting a bargain using liters, when actually you are getting ripped off.