RAF F-4 Phantom | with David Middleton (Part 1)

[@Aircrewinterview]

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[@shainemaine1268]

What does he mean by "slotted tailplane"? I cant quite figure it out

[@johnkelly2902]

He was one of my bosses when I was on Red Arrows ground crew, an absolute gentleman, and skillful pilot to boot.

[@nferguson7678]

Another great listen, a very good talker, as you'd expect and you get the feeling there's plenty stories that will appear when completely retired from the light blue uniform!

[@nackdibby7960]

This gentleman is sharp as a tac! What a great interview and great insight given into the Mighty Phantom!

[@nigelluck8085]

This is a brilliant interview. Thank you for sharing

[@catcherintheair]

Flying an F4 at 21 - unbelievable!! I would like to see some photos from this time!

[@Aircrewinterview]

I know it’s crazy isn’t it!

[@5332wonderboy]

catcherintheair Yes it’s quite possible. Brits are pretty good at learning. Flying is no problem mastering is whole another story.

[@ttscea]

Thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing interview. Thank you Dave. I was groundcrew on 19Sdn Wildenrath in 78-80 and remember doing Q many times. Great to hear your memories

[@tomburley]

I'm pretty sure that Dave Middleton and I started out in the same Air Training Corp squadron back in the mid/late 70's. Not sure if he's likely to read this post ...Seem to remember him possibly having a Triumph Tiger Cub.....1461 squadron @ Glen Parva/Wigston barracks. Great to listen to him recount his career in the RAF.

[@echo9996]

Great Interview and great photo of Phantom with the Rock of Gibraltar in the background my home.

[@AaronOxfordExmouth1989]

What a sensational interview. Full marks.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Thank you.

[@Thetequilashooter1]

Another great interview. It’s kind of funny, weird, that you hear that pilots are arrogant and cocky people, but from what I have seen in your videos is that they’re all quite humble and quite likable individuals.

[@SimDeck]

Fascinating interview. You strike a wonderful balance between the human story and the technical aspects of aircraft. Great stuff and thank you.

[@conniemontjoy9753]

This was one of the BEST that I've watched. Thanks you SO much David m. and aircrew.

[@davidwebber8636]

Grown-Up, Intelligent & informative. Great stuff.

[@MrJFuk]

A great chat. Thanks for the memories.

[@skysurferuk]

Great interview. Thanks for posting.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers.

[@steviespaind4307]

Fantastic interview. Loved it. Thanks.

[@HenauderTitzauf]

For those that don’t know what a RF-4 means. The R stands for reconnicience, meaning the aircraft has no defense methods, it has high speed high altitude cameras. It’s only real defense is the two big super powerful jet engines to get the pilot out of trouble, if you will. Great legend of aircraft.

[@SyedIrtiza1]

Great interview, Thanks for sharing.

[@Sam_Green____4114]

An F-4 Phantom flew over the top of my house a few days ago !!! haven't seen one now for a few days now though !

[@juleshathaway3894]

And where was that?

[@Sam_Green____4114]

@@juleshathaway3894 Near Kalamos , Attica , Greece .

[@juleshathaway3894]

@@Sam_Green____4114 Ooooooh lucky you. Thanks for the info. 👍😁

[@Sam_Green____4114]

@@juleshathaway3894 I was suprised actually ! I didn't know any were still flying .The last one I saw fly must have been in the 70s or 80s back in England ! Have you watched my you tube video ?

[@malcolm9994]

Superb !

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers!

[@lawrencemccormick895]

Comes across as a straight forward bloke, never heard of him, but the interview is great.

[@simonrichardson5077]

Great work chaps,thank you

[@davehodgkiss5375]

Great interview! 👍

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers Dave.

[@allin4395]

Interesting chap!

[@allybally0021]

Sound bloke....and clearly a natural.

[@thefrecklepuny]

Another fantastic effort! great stuff.

[@Aeronaut1975]

Crazy to think that we retired them nearly 30yrs ago, and some countries are still flying them!

[@pok0000]

only 2 Greece and Turkey

[@Aeronaut1975]

@@pok0000 and Iran, South Korea and Japan. That's 5 countries, so I think that counts as "some countries"...

[@iatsd]

11:44 There's a reason for the saying: A triumph of power over aerodynamics

[@zxczxczxc987]

this is ace

[@philipspencer1834]

Yay mids..... 😎👍🏻

[@Aviator1974]

Sounded like a really good interview but just had to switch off because of the annoying sounds in the background!!

[@Aircrewinterview]

Unfortunately when you film at museums that thing happens

[@MrJFuk]

111 go go Trembles.

[@UncleBoratagain]

Provided he leaves the rudder alone (apart from t/o and landing) he ought to be a safe airline pilot. Otherwise the fin/rudder will become an independent aeronautical entity...

[@AKlover]

The Brits didn't run J-79s in their Phantoms???

[@jaguar3248]

Yes we did, bought a Squadron of used F-4Js just after the Falklands War if memory serves me right. We needed extra Air Defence for the Falklands and the Air Defence version of the Tornado was still not in service at that stage.

[@AKlover]

@@jaguar3248 Apparently at some point the Brits dumped the J-79s for a domestic build, claiming the need for more power in short takeoffs. The reality was probably a "welfare contract".

[@jaguar3248]

@@AKlover They were replaced by FGR 2s from other Squadrons in the early 90s. Then the Berlin Wall came down and that signalled the end for British F-4s.

[@sichere]

@@AKlover Others would say that it's always worth investing in some domestic skills.

[@paultanton4307]

The J-79 vs the RR Spey is an interesting Saga all by itself - look it up its a good read.

[@benterrell9139]

60-70 miles out at the end....

[@jeremyknott9402]

send them to ukraine

[@LondonCAFC]

F4 pilot age 21, this guy must have had some serious brains , and balls