Ramstein Air Base - 1986

Ramstein Air Base 1986, sede dell' 86th Tactical Fighter Wing, e che allora, operava sui due gruppi 512th e 526th, con i vecchi, ma sempre mitici F4E Phantom II... Negli stessi giorni, sulla Base Americana, erano rischierati pure, quattro F4D Phantom II del 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.. un gruppo dell' Air National Guard, proveniente dal Minnesota ... Questo è uno Scramble, di questi Phantom..

[@RogerCurrier2497781]

This was one of my jobs at Hahn AB in Germany, 1967 to 1970. This video raises the hair on the back of my neck to this day ! These planes were on a 24 hour alert in their individual revetments. We crew chiefs hung out and slept in a little room attached to the revetment. I was alone most of the time there. Most of the time, these planes were fitted with nuclear bombs mounted on the belly centerline. Out in front of the revetment was an Air Police guard. His job was to make sure no one entered the revetment alone, always had to enter with at least 2 ...... including pilots and crew chiefs He was there day and night. Sometimes I would get bored and go out and visit with him. They were always friendly as long as you respected their job. He was armed with an M16 machine gun, and had orders to shoot to kill if necessary ! The alert siren would usually sound several times a day or night. It was a challenge to wake up from a sound sleep, my feet hitting the floor running, and remember everything I needed to do, quickly. Sometimes pilots would get too excited when the alert siren went off and would start to enter the revetment alone. The guard would order them to flatten and spread eagle on the ground. Occasionally a single pilot would get there before me and I would have to rescue him and enter together. While I readied the plane, the 2 pilots would climb into the cockpits, open the folder with their orders ( they had no idea of their mission before this ). They may be headed to Moscow with their Nuke or some other Soviet target. At this point, we never knew whether this was just another exercise, or the the beginning of the end of the world as we knew it. Would we ever see our loved ones again ? Usually for us at the time, the planes never actually flew. As they taxied out and we waved them goodbye ( perhaps for ever ), we watched them taxi away. It was a great relief when they would stop and turn around, usually somewhere on the taxiway or the runway, then return to the revetment. Then my job of getting the plane ready for the next time started

[@MuhammadIshaq-jq3zo]

Lovely sharing..

[@fordlane5323]

Wow.

[@averagemodeler3965]

Sounds like a movie .. awesome but scary

[@cmcer1995]

I was stationed at Spangdahlem 1974-1976 Law Enforcement Specialist. I always understood the mission of Hahn , Bitberg, and Spangdahlem was Moscow but that was the talk. I guess things do change over time with Hahn and Bitberg closed and their mission as well after the Cold War ended. Sad to see somethings change, but the changes at Spangdahlem have been a real improvement, don't even recognize it anymore, much nicer living quarters, and other facilities are top shelf. But, I still miss the old times. Never went into the revetment, no clearance. Good to hear what your job was and what an adrenaline rush that would be.

[@terryhouston7911]

I was there then. Middle of the night NATO alerts. Dad was security police. Same time as major Fisher who had transitioned to the ' double ugly' from his skyraider. Like our euro camo better!!

[@robert7212]

I was a US Air Force security specialist station at Ramstein between 1982 and 1984. I used to guard that Zulu alert area the front entry control point I have many memories of that place. I actually got to see some take off on an actual Zulu alert they all take right off from the taxiway and as soon as their wheels are up they are gone that fast! And yes the beloved E models oh my.....

[@jhfdb3]

Wow, what an awesome familiar sound. I was stationed there in the 70’s. That’s why I’m hard of hearing to this day. I remember the F-4’s taking off with full afterburner, and conversation on the flight line stopped until they were gone. Good times. I lived at Kapaun Air Station and rode the bus to work each day.

[@JMAC-rs6ey]

Thanks for ur service

[@basileus5406]

Major Rach, was a Pilot of the starfigther. Then he must fly a Phantom. He was sad. Because the Starfigther was a Porsche. The Phantom a VW. I hope you understand my bad english

[@gonefishing9225]

@@basileus5406 My man, I understood you perfectly. The more you practice, the better your English will get.

[@ThapanDubayehudi]

Thanks for your service sir

[@raymondhill7636]

Jim Billings what years were you at Ramstein? I was there from 3 November 1976 thru 3 November 1978. I was in 86th LGSF, drove R9 and hose truck on MAC ramp.

[@dannyr-barneyfife]

I went there TDY 1982 to 1985 from Seymour Johnson AFB for Crested Cap exercises while assigned to the 334th AMU as a Weapons Weenie! I volunteered to go as an alternate with the 335th and the 336th AMU's every time they needed anyone. F-4's are absolute beasts! We loaded everything live including the B61 nukes! Fantastic base and phenomenal food!

[@stevepuddlejumperpilot6062]

I was at Ramstein from 83-86 and I remember the SJ planes that visited. Have a few pics somewhere of them. I was in the fuels quality control lab and we had to pull fuel samples all over the base, so we had a lot of latitude on where we could and had to go and we got up close to a lot of fun things there. Good times.....

[@Hugh-Glass]

I was there, I left there in various helo platforms to insert nearby op/Lp in the fulda gap. Was the best part of my life and I had much soul searching and self analysis in those mountain hides. Always appreciated American airpower visiting. I felt like a giant when my friends were above. Thank for that and the efforts and sacrifices when downrange in earnest. Thanks to all those who made it work..we won!! Now, it's time to win again.

[@jeffcordes1744]

My Dad M/sgt Wesley Cordes was in Feild Maintenance Squadron from Dec 1968 through June 12 1974. The F4 was such a beautiful plane and I am proud to be his son.

[@betterleftunsaid7354]

I was assigned to Rhein Main AFB in 1990. Not Jets, just trash haulers. I was an engineering assistant in CE. I would take the family to Ramstein BX and eat pizza for lunch...they were early elementary school. Best time of my life.

[@doggie1874]

Wow, the speed when they exit the shelter !

[@spencerlukay5809]

Just wait until you see the speed when they take off!

[@vangestelwijnen]

1986 was a good year for F-4D's in Germany. The TDY-ones at Ramstein and 170TFS/IL ANG deployment to Wildenrath made it a wonderful summer.

[@sidv4615]

Why are the Phantoms carrying their drop tanks on the outer pylons instead of inner ones as you usually see?

[@johnmilner5485]

@@sidv4615 Drop tanks were always carried on the outboard stations , or a centerline tank , unless there was a gun pod such as these two had. Inboard pylons were generally used for missile racks and other ordnance .

[@sidv4615]

@@johnmilner5485 oh I was confused since all the other planes I have seen (F15,16,18 etc) all carried their drop tanks on the inner most wing pylons.

[@alandotson568]

The D's were brought in for QRA, while the wing was transitioning to 16s. (86 CRS and AGS from 82-86) loved it there. prost.

[@claysmoker1]

Interesting video. I was in the 526 TFS when the F4's arrived in 1970. All were in camo paint when they arrived, and all E models. This was taken at the west end of the runway and those are alert birds with AIM 7, AIM 9, and a gun pod mounted.

[@sidv4615]

Why are the Phantoms carrying their drop tanks on the outer pylons instead of inner ones as you usually see?

[@claysmoker1]

@@sidv4615 I've never seen tanks on the inboard pylons on F4's. The only things we ever hung there were bombs, rockets and missiles.

[@get2dachoppa249]

I’m not sure how you are interpreting the F-4 photos you’ve seen in the past, but the F-4 never carried external tanks on the inboard pylons. That pylon & wing station isn’t plumbed for fuel at all. Also, there’s very little space aft of the inboard pylon because the landing gear bay is right there, rendering that area of the fuselage unavailable for external stores of any type. Only the center & outboard pylons/wing stations had the necessary fuel plumbing for external tanks.

[@sidv4615]

​@@get2dachoppa249 so why do fighters now always carry the drop tanks on their innermost pylons?

[@sidv4615]

@@claysmoker1 so why do fighters now always carry the drop tanks on their innermost pylons?

[@manfredschirmer4174]

Aaah, wie lange haben wir diese wunderschöne Silhouette und den geilsten Klang überm Hunsrück nicht mehr gesehen und gehört 😥😥😥😍😍😍🥰

[@zaberdokelzipfelbaum2105]

I remember in the early 80's , i see Phantoms like these flying very low by. I had to cover my ears and feeled the roar in my stomach. Sitting in my Sandbox in Bavaria , Germany.

[@irebell528]

Erkennbar an der Rauchfahne.

[@zaberdokelzipfelbaum2105]

@@irebell528 Hm, an eine Rauchfahne oder Überschallknall kann ich mich nicht erinnern. Aber wenn Manöver war , sind die Phantoms ziemlich niedrig über unser Dorf geflogen. Das war ein Höllenlärm , wenn man sich nicht die Ohren zugehalten hat, schmerzte es richtig. Heute undenkbar...

[@sidv4615]

@@zaberdokelzipfelbaum2105 I have no idea what you're saying but Deutschland Uber Alles.

[@georgedavidson6931]

I was a Jet Engine Mechanic at Ramstein 1967-1970, Worked on RF4C & F4D, 38 TRS & 417TH TFS. Best job ever. I apologize for waking anybody up running up these beauties middle of the night on trim pad.

[@skeptical2649]

I was an autopilot troop on loan from Hahn to 417th at Ramstein, 1968 . I returned to Hahn when 417th moved to Mt Home ID

[@thomasvannah3145]

I was stationed in Baumholder Germany, 82-83. I loved seeing these birds fly over the base head down range, lighting up something. Oh the sight the sound! Love to see it again!

[@bama1usaf]

Memories, I worked the Alert ECP there from 1985-88

[@jimthefatman9390]

I was POL from 89-91

[@bama1usaf]

@@jimthefatman9390 good times

[@sidv4615]

@@bama1usaf Why are the Phantoms carrying their drop tanks on the outer pylons instead of inner ones as you usually see?

[@robertdipaola3447]

Gotta love the F-4 phantom !!!

[@nsha2011]

Miss being there at Ramstein. I was with the 512th.

[@johnhugo886]

I was just down the road from there at Hahn AB during that same time working on F-16’s. Those were great days!

[@misterhair66]

I grew up near a base with a Phantom squadron. If I live to be 100 I'll still be able to identify that sound. Nothing like it.

[@alexchubbymclynn6060]

Fabulous jet! Love it and miss it! The engines sound is unforgettable... Looks more like C version to me, not E. But it does not matter much.) Phantoms Phorever!

[@phantomphxr]

They were D models.

[@sidv4615]

@@phantomphxr how can you tell? also Why are the Phantoms carrying their drop tanks on the outer pylons instead of inner ones as you usually see?

[@vernmeyerotto255]

Phabulous Phantoms! Nothing like the sound of J79s winding up.

[@jetboy770371]

Let me tell you this , it's louder than all hell in there ! I know . I was at RAF Alconbury at the same time and we had different hardened shelters for our RF-4C's call TAB-V's which were just a huge concrete quonset hut that we could "double stuff" 2 airplanes if needed. Best job I ever had !

[@anthonybailey7231]

Jetboy I also worked those RF-4c’s at Alconbury from 85-87... What’s your name???? I’m Tony Bailey was a Hydraulics troop....

[@jetboy770371]

@@anthonybailey7231 Kevin Fleck, I was on the RF-4C side riding in the Dispatch 1 truck with Kyle Inboden (hyd), Mike Say (hyd), Kevin something (hyd), something Shore (hyd), Freddie & Pam (hvac), Gee (elect), Kyra Whiting (eng). Fred Phillips was the squadron Cmdr.

[@jetboy770371]

@@anthonybailey7231 You were kinda taller , southern accent, mustache, chewed . Msgt Carpenter (eng) Eugene Vasquez (hyd) Jose Mendoza & Jim Beaudruex & Dave Miller (sheetmetal). I remember a lot more faces but the names are gone from my memory. Gotta say the hyd guys were funny to be around !

[@jetboy770371]

You must have left with the big group when the airplanes started to leave in 87 and I stayed ( I had the extended long tour ) until 88 but was still cut short 6 months when budget cuts in 88 called for removing 10,000 army/usaf people from europe .

[@anthonybailey7231]

@@jetboy770371 after they got rid of the F-4’s I moved over to the Aggressors for a few months then got Orders to George AFB.. I left Alconbury in Sept of 87..

[@taharbenseddik5607]

Yes !! A beautiful F-4 Phantom. I'm in love !!

[@randallmontes9126]

I was there, had a great time. Outstanding leadership and coworkers

[@ValhallaAesir]

Was there in 76-77 brought up the Dragons from 0 to operational in the south east area most of those tab vees are gone now. We flew E models primary air to mud while the 'boys' in the north east area the Black Knights got the new Tiseo birds straight from the factory. Holloman AFB NM was our US Stateside sister base with D models and would come play once or twice a year sometimes for reforger. Such fun times in a mop gear all the time. As for hot rodding out of Zulu alert yeah the press was there we didn't normally do that but we weren't exactly slow either. Units rotated over to take 86th place while they transitioned to the F-16 which was these guys and others. Two runways now, what a concept would have been nice back then for all the IFE with hydraulic systems loss

[@jcheck6]

No kidding about hydraulic loss. I took the approach end cable at Zweibrucken. Now I know what is like to land on a carrier.

[@billlittlejohn2331]

This was my favorite duty station. I really liked Germany a lot.

[@Tonetwisters]

Those are truly beautiful fighter jets.

[@munsunsnight]

An absolute death machine. With war cry included when pulling out of the hangar. Simply amazing.

[@humbleone6405]

I still think the Phantoms could be upgraded and still be useful in a combat role...but I guess I just don't want to see these icons disappear.

[@geoluc2357]

@I Sanchez in the past, they were all for missiles

[@ManganeseMan]

the meanest looking fighter.

[@filipvidinovski7960]

Well, they are. Just not in the US. google "f-4e terminator 2020"

[@archerpiperii2690]

The same for the F-14. It was a real shame when both of those planes retired.

[@donkovaleski6773]

Still the best fighter ever.

[@crabbycreates2943]

When I tell people the Marines used F-4s at MCAS Kaneohe back when I was stationed there, they say: "F-4???" as if I said model-T. 😄

[@joselara7827]

For some reason I came here to see Rammstein fly a jet fighter or a music video with a 1980's VHS filter, and I was still not disappointed.

[@PaulNat360]

i was expecting to see Till Lindemann flying one of those planes. lol

[@MrPepper312]

As a MMS in Kunsan in 73 I did this but starter carts were used to spin the turbins.

[@donkovaleski6773]

Luxury over those smokey can starts.

[@allanprice1382]

So much technology so much skill it should be appreciated much more

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

Hey Robert I did the same similar in Tainan A.S., Taiwan back in 1964. I was a gun plumber(weapons).We were TDY to Clark A?B., Philippines and TDY to Tainan. We rotated from England AFB, Louisiana. You had to love the Tactical Air Command(Traveling Air Circus), TAC for short. Lucky it was very nice weather, we just got flip flops, boots, just whatever clothes we could get on to get out and get them launched. Back then we weren’t so friendly with red China. How stupid this country has gotten since then.

[@donkovaleski6773]

The PI in the 60s! Man, I have heard some stories!!

[@STRANGEBALL12]

Rolling Take-Off! Pretty nice 🤙🤙

[@oldfriend327]

Are those attachments on the center the 20mm Gun Pods? Can't tell if it is a drop tank or not. Thank you for this precious footage of this amazing aircraft from a time period that so many of us miss so much.

[@LV_FUD80]

Yep. They're SUU-23 pods.

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

The Happy Hooligans 119th FW, North Dakota ANG (1:22)

[@mpetry912]

great vid. that thing shook the ground. the shrieking sound is the boundary layer control venting air over the wings.

[@Chilly_Billy]

I miss the colorful jets of ADC.

[@KLRDoug]

I was stationed at Ramstein AB from 1984 to 1988 as a crew chief on F-4E models. These are not F-4E models and certainly not the paint scheme our aircraft had. I was part of the 526th AMU (526th TFS), Black Knights, the ones that ran ZULU alert there and this video is not of our ZULU facility.

[@stevepuddlejumperpilot6062]

I was there from 83-86. Remember when we transitioned from F-4's to F-16's in 86? That hangar, which normally had the Ramstein F-4's in at, had the Guard planes in during the transition. I remember this, since I worked on the MAC ramp and use to see the Guard planes in there during the spring of 86, and how nice the paint was on those planes. They were spotless.

[@rickstills6716]

Ramstein was a short runway especially for the F-4. I flew C-141s into and out of there.

[@jcheck6]

Rick, Zweibrucken was even shorter, 7900' as I recall.

[@michaelkenny9840]

I used to live near the end of the Spang runway, longest in Europe, and remember everything including Speicher and The Piccadilly.

[@bertrandleroy6069]

La belle époque des avions de combat ! Phantom for ever !

[@MrTonyharrell]

Remember 911 and the planes sent to New York were unarmed? I was thinking, WTF? Back in the late 70’s we had F4’s just like this on alert at the 33rd TFW on Eglin AFB in Florida. We shared alert duty with Tyndall just down the beach a little ways. I loved those planes, veterans from Vietnam.

[@IrishManJT]

Fantastic.

[@bartdart3315]

Now that's a scramble!

[@ChileMiPais]

One the few fighters to be used by all the services.

[@thomasnikkola5600]

Now that's a taxi! They were cooking!

[@hansb.8]

Time to go home now, thanks for understanding.

[@sjoormen1]

I like that houling sound.

[@garyodle5663]

Amazing. Happy Hooligans from the Fargo unit of the ANG pulled out of the alert hangers and took off but F-4s from the Duluth unit of the ANG fly overhead. How did they do that?

[@gonefishing9225]

I was a crew chief stationed at torrejon air base working on the f-16 at the same time as this video.

[@spencerlukay5809]

I clicked expecting Du Haste. Instead I got Du Fast.

[@Crash9908]

Those are F-4Cs, you can tell by the infrared antennae on the nose. F-4B for the Navy/Marines had the same radome. You can also see the 20mm gun pod on the center hard point. These were early phantoms given to ANG. Front line units had F-4E in 1986 with built in 20mm cannon under the nose.

[@vangestelwijnen]

F-4D

[@Crash9908]

@@vangestelwijnen Just learned that chin pods put back under the D nose for ECM. Thanks

[@LV_FUD80]

When they taxi out, you can see the RHAW gear bump underneath the IR sensor. That's the easiest way to tell the difference between a Chuck and a D model.

[@sidv4615]

@@Crash9908 Why are the Phantoms carrying their drop tanks on the outer pylons instead of inner ones as you usually see?

[@alanhess9306]

@@sidv4615 Why do you keep asking that question when the tanks are usually on the outboard pylons?

[@wkruit]

SCRAMBLE!!

[@jacksalisbury5218]

Such a Bad Ass Plane!

[@Supergasolina]

klasse ich bin von da!

[@TR-hf1nm]

ANG F4s from Fargo... Happy Hooligans?

[@p71collector]

Yes they are. I used to drive to Fargo to sit at the airport viewing area to watch them take off and land on their weekend Guard drills. Sure miss the F4's and F16's they used to fly.

[@montieluckett7036]

Just another one of those planes that looks like it's doing 90 MPH while standing still.

[@charlesbaker6158]

Those aircraft in the video are F-4D's. Definitely not at Ramstein in 1986.

[@tailflash]

Agree. Ramstein was pimping F-4Es in 1986, plus the tail number markings were the old early version; think this was taken in late 70s. 'Was at Spang Nov 82 to Nov 85 with the E/Gs; good times. Crew Chief on F-4E 74-1052; have scars to prove it...

[@michaelkidwell913]

I was weapons mechanic (bomb loader) at Spangdahlem 78-80. We had C, D, E, & G models. The G models were replacing the C model Wild Weasels. The D & E models had the air to ground mission and stood Victor alert. Bitburg AB had the Zulu alert commitment with the F-15s. One of the highlights of my career was working on the F-4. It was a beast that did just about anything asked of it. Name a weapon in the inventory at the time and we probably loaded it.

[@MooseDriver204]

Those are D models. ANG units deployed them out there on rotations.

[@tailflash]

@@MooseDriver204 You are right; at 1:26 shows (North Dakota ANG) 'Happy Hooligans' & ANG logo on the tail. Both are F-4D models, Tail Numbers 64-0968 & 64-0972. Re: Wikipedia " "Happy Hooligan" deployment. In 1986, the 119th Fighter Group became the first core unit to assume the USAF Zulu alert mission at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Referred to as "Creek Klaxon", the 119th and other air defense units stood continuous alert for one year providing air sovereignty in Europe for NATO." Re: Tail Numbers in this video: F-4D 64-0968 (MSN 1432) to AMARC as FP490 Apr 10, 1990. To Holloman AFB, NM for target Dec 17, 1997 F-4D 64-0972 (MSN 1443) Currently on display at North Dakota ANG base at Fargo, North Dakota

[@hartmannf4169]

I love both Vietnam and WWII

[@LV_FUD80]

D models from Fargo, North Dakota.

[@MrFarnanonical]

0:34 Is he just carrying Aim-9s? no Aim - 7? the only other things I see are the two bags and... I'm assuming the centerline is a gun pod? Just seems weird to me that they'd go up with presumably 4 Sidewinders and no Sparrows. Am I missing something?

[@montieluckett7036]

They were Nuke carriers, just enough defensive armament to get on target. After that, if they made it back, great. If not, the ordinance was delivered; that's all that mattered.

[@alanhess9306]

Both of these F-4s were carrying 4 AIM 7s. You can see them mounted on the fuselage launchers.

[@williambuchanan6766]

Not an "E" model, no cannon. Looks like a "C" or "D".

[@AdurianJ]

Sure it had a cannon that was a gunpod on the centerline !

[@wachtamrhein3022]

'D' model.

[@LV_FUD80]

It's a D model. The C model has the IR sensor fairing, aka, the "Donkey Dick" underneath the radome. The D model retained the IR sensor and also had a visible bump underneath the IR sensor for the Radar Homing and Warning sensor. The E model's nose was based off of the RF-4C's nose, but had an internal M61A1 cannon instead of the camera bays that the RF's had.

[@wkruit]

E, C or D, a very tough looking plane!!

[@CulhandS1965]

Probably well before '86. The paint scheme surely is.

[@waynemitchell1076]

They certainly weren't hanging around lol.

[@steliotaspalioprosi974]

Is this the Base ho take place a big mishap?

[@user-oq2mg6jb1c]

phantom❗

[@drewzilla4800]

I went by the F4 monument to the 86th on the roundabout near the east gate yesterday. I was on my way to the Brit store and Canadian canteen where they make the Px look like a joke. All kidding aside, only thing that keeps Putin at bay in the air and Graf on the ground.

[@Z12IT]

F-4 D?

[@LV_FUD80]

Yep. It's a D.

[@nuttintoseehere9141]

Let's see if we can be the best fighter unit in the galaxy....yep. we can. 119th Happy Hooligans.

[@stevecomstock3563]

Like bats otta hell

[@averagemodeler3965]

Dont have an accident in that hanger cuz u sure can't eject

[@stanislavderkach9087]

This is not an E model!

[@JMAC-rs6ey]

D model

[@ronnieclough8046]

So eventually F-4s had a fixed gun?

[@alandotson568]

E's, came out in 1966

[@AvengerII]

@@alandotson568 Late 1967, October, was the delivery date for the production F-4E. The first prototype YF-4E (a converted YRF-4C which started life as an F-4B) flew in August 1965 but they didn't order the F-4E into production until August 1966. A gun-armed F-4 was proposed as early as 1961 (before the Air Force took delivery of the first F-4Cs) but it was shelved until experience in Vietnam changed their minds. Those first production F-4Es were actually ordered as part of a batch of F-4Ds. The first production F-4Es were not delivered until October 1967. The 3 F-4Es that flew before June 1967 were all YF-4Es converted from earlier models -- the F-4B/YF-4C and two F-4C models. The first prototype YF-4E is preserved at the Air Force Museum in Dayton. It ended its life as a fly-by-wire demonstrator. It's unique-looking because it's the only F-4 fitted with canards! The canards were fitted after they were done using it as an "F-4E." There were hardly any F-4Es in Vietnam and the definitive production version with the slatted wing didn't arrive until 1972; they went back and modified most of the early production F-4Es with the slatted wing. None of those slatted wing models were sent to Vietnam. They also altered the external gun casing for the internally mounted M61 cannon because there were problems with the original installation. There were engine flame-outs cased by ingestion of exhaust gases from the gun so the gun mounting was altered to prevent this. They've had to alter the gun vents on the F-14 and F-16 during their production runs for similar reasons, too, as well as to prevent explosions from build-up of gases internally.

[@jcheck6]

@@AvengerII Good summary!

[@AvengerII]

@@jcheck6 You're welcome! The record-setting F-4s (speed, altitude, time-to-climb, acceleration) are all original solid-wing models -- mainly F-4As (includig the second prototype) and F-4Bs. The slatted-wing introduced some drag that especially affected the modified F-4s (rebuilt E and J models) at higher speeds. I don't think the F-4E and F-4S models could easily exceed Mach 2.3+; the high-end speed you see for the F-4E is usually Mach 2.27. The earlier models and the test planes could routinely exceed Mach 2.3. The highest speed set was Mach 2.62 in the second prototype which last I heard belonged to the San Diego Air & Space Museum and is in storage. They say they have the "fuselage" of that plane but that could mean anything (as little as the cockpit area may still exist). I hope the airframe is intact!

[@jcheck6]

@@AvengerII Correct about the slatted wing models being slower. The recce "C" model was one of the fastest because of the lower drag nose. Unfortunately no one ever really flew anywhere close to the top speed except FCF flights because of the external drop tanks. I flew the recce "C" model. Thanks.

[@MarkFockeWulf]

A Male Plane For Male People

[@shirleyferber245]

Ramstein 86 SPS, 73-75.