Restoring a real F-4 Phantom II and getting her running again

#Aviation #f4phantom #coldwar
Restoring a real F-4 Phantom II and getting her running again
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[@MikeBarnett]

MESSAGE FROM BPAG: Great video and thank you for coming to view our Phantoms at Cotswold Airport. We would just like to clarify that the British Phantom Aviation Groups initial mandate is to restore all three Phantom aircraft to a pristine static condition for display only. There may be potential to restore some systems if the opportunity arises, however that kind of work is a long way off. None of the aircraft will be restored to any form of operational status and will certainly not be performing fast taxi runs due to the age of the airframes and high running costs.

[@mattottie6410]

As a USAF F4 crew chief this brings back lots of good memories, that F4K a British varient would have had a Rolls Royce engine, my F4C had GE J79 GE 15, hope your group gets it restored and back to life....

[@MikeBarnett]

Wow that's so cool thanks for the info and kind words too.

[@britishphantomaviationgrou2920]

Great video and thank you for coming to view our Phantoms at Cotswold Airport. We would just like to clarify that the British Phantom Aviation Groups initial mandate is to restore all three Phantom aircraft to a pristine static condition for display only. There may be potential to restore some systems if the opportunity arises, however that kind of work is a long way off. None of the aircraft will be restored to any form of operational status and will certainly not be performing fast taxi runs.

[@MikeBarnett]

I will also mention this in the next video we do together ❤️

[@lesdonaldson520]

So jealous of you sitting in the cockpit . The F4 my hall time favourite aircraft

[@MikeBarnett]

It was a amazing I'm sure I won't get bored if doing that. Thanks for watching

[@brealistic3542]

Are you guys kidding us ? Your restoring a British Phantom ! 😮😎 So many British pilots loved the Phantom. I bet they just love seeing g this being done. The Phantom is beloved all over the world. This is great news.

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks so much I can't wait to document more for you guys

[@crs9796]

Very cool. Pretty sure that the UK never built any F4s, although some of them had British supplied parts and RR engines. All airframes were USA build.

[@MikeBarnett]

I will find out where the airframe was built for the next video. Thanks for the info 👍 and thanks for watching

[@3ducs]

I came to this video from a few automobile barn find vids, this is many orders of magnitude beyond those!

[@MikeBarnett]

Well thanks for watching 👀

[@drumking241]

Always though the f-4 was one of the coolest looking fighters, I look forward to watching this phantom haunting the skies again

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks for watching 👀

[@taloowa5800]

WOW! You guys are fantastic! (Chris, a recording engineer in NYC. Cutting a record in my avatar. Cheers, Lads!)

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks for watching 👀

[@Sam_Green____4114]

Two F-4 Phantoms kept flying over my house this weekend just gone ( and on the Friday !! All day ! ) Yesterday I watched two taxi down and the runway to get ready for take off ! They were only a 100 metres away !

[@MikeBarnett]

Oh wow where r u based that would be amazing to see

[@kennethhummel4409]

Please keep us updated on this one. I’ve been following the F-4 Phantom on The KZbin page for Diesel Thunder, they’re getting ready to test the engines and get her certified for flight!

[@MikeBarnett]

I watch him too. Yeah I will be making a series on this one

[@dpitt1516]

One of the best fighters there ever was ...................................

[@MikeBarnett]

100%

[@KapiteinKrentebol]

2:59 With my limited knowlegde, those holes you showed are to allow for cool air so the pipe wouldn't melt. The rings you see in the back are the fuel sprayers. 9:52 I don't know either, but on normal Phantoms that was where the radarscreen was, so my guess is that it's radar related or they removed something.

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks for the info and thanks for watching 👀

[@jamesbolling6681]

As an Airforce brat , I'm sentimental with F4s. A classic "Hot Rod".

[@MikeBarnett]

Love it bet you seen some living on the pads. not sure what you call it in the us we call living on base the pads in the uk

[@Simon-bg3st]

This may have already been said, but there were no ‘British made’ Phantoms. 5057 Phantoms were made in St Louis, and 138 were built by Mitsubishi in Japan.

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks for the info really appreciated it

[@SaltimusMaximus]

The ex fire practice F4 is their restoration project, it was originally one of two at the fire training facility, the other one was scrapped years ago which was a shame because it was a Vietnam veteran.

[@MikeBarnett]

That's such a shame.. thanks for watching 👀

[@ed-straker]

I grew up in Valdosta GA, home of Moody Air Force Base. At the time, they had Phantoms, and apparently my house was right under one of their regular training routes, because they flew over all the time.

[@MikeBarnett]

That must have been so cool

[@stuartw312000]

The F4 in service with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force did have Rolls Royce Spey engines at that time. It was only later F4j(uk) that had HE J79 engines which if I remember performed better than the Speys.

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks for the info

[@johnnunn8688]

All those little holes in the reheat jet pipe, are to allow cooling air to come in, to protect the jet pipe from the heat. Where the fuel is fed in is further forward where you see those rings. Those are called gutters and that’s where the fuel is ignited.

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks gor the info and thanks gor watching

[@jackconnelly4525]

Would be great to see one restored. Look at the 'boneyard" in Arizona, should still have some for parts there. I saw the last ones fly from Houston and then they got F-16's.

[@MikeBarnett]

I would love to visit the bone yard do they do tours

[@brianwillson9567]

Phantom phorever!

[@MikeBarnett]

100% thanks for watching 👀

[@EdwardDean-z4f]

Oke of our car club members ferried F-4s to Southeast Asia from St Louis.

[@MikeBarnett]

That's cool

[@SuperReasonable]

Former Empire Test Pilots School aircraft

[@MikeBarnett]

Very unique colour scheme 👌

[@andrewbergman9315]

That screen is likely the CRT generating the HUD imagery. The part missing is the lens assembly and the HUD glass. Oh I just watched further and it was explained anyway haha

[@MikeBarnett]

Lol yeah he did tell me in the end but I did ask the question so thanks for helping lol. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@michaeldenesyk3195]

The J-79 can only be used in an F-4J, It cannot be used in the Spey Engined Phantoms

[@MikeBarnett]

Yeah they did say this to me but I never got it on camera. Let's hope the group can get some. Thanks for watching 👀

[@T-Cup314]

Out of all interest, what DCS group are you with ?. Nice video. I was at Duxford last weekend and got to see the American F4 phantom which made me very happy.

[@MikeBarnett]

Hi in not actually in one but would like to join. If you have any recommendations let me know 😊

[@EdwardDean-z4f]

I worked at the plant that built the GE J-79 engines.They stopped producing them in 1979. But we built parts for them for years

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks for the info and thanks for watching 👀

[@Boaris_Johnson]

Imagine they get their hands on an F-14....

[@MikeBarnett]

I dont think that will ever happen unfortunately

[@keithad6485]

It is not well known that Aussie RAAF had F4E Phantoms for bombers in the early 1970s on loan for a few years pending delivery of the F111Cs to RAAF.

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks for the info

[@stevecurd3944]

there is some great footage of F-4j UK's inc ZE360(155574) flying out of Raf Wattisham on youtube

[@MikeBarnett]

I'll have a look thanks 😊

[@Marie579]

I can remember my time at RAF St Athan in the 80s and I saw this brand new paint scheme on the aircraft as it came to our hanger after being painted at Pickitstone paint facility it looked brilliant then. I was out of training and my first job was removing the shingle panels and the jet blast panels, then for good measure I had to clean and strip the arrestor hook ! Wow it was heavy bit of metal.

[@MikeBarnett]

I spent some time at St Athan when I was in the army. Unfortunately no f4s then. Thanks for the comment and watching 👀

[@gwrstudios5181]

I would definitely send a couple bucks their way but I’m a yank across the pond and could probably never see her actually move in person

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks tell everyone about it I believe they can still be a member over the pond.

[@fw1421]

Taxi? Get one flying again!!!

[@MikeBarnett]

That would be amazing

[@bambikiller338]

Ha we used f-4s in better shape then that for target practice.

[@MikeBarnett]

Ha ha. Thanks for watching 👀

[@daveeagle4073]

I used to go by this aircraft whenIi worked for vertical Aerospace. This is based at Kemble, NearCirencesterr in Gloucestershire

[@MikeBarnett]

It seems like this aircraft has a place in so many people's hearts 💕 thanks for watching 👀

[@ryansta]

Fields full of them in USA. Sad state that such an iconic Aircraft that served in the UK should be all but gone and left in this state.

[@MikeBarnett]

I need to come to the US so bad

[@markhepworth]

Such a shame our CAA won’t let any historic jets fly anymore..😏

[@MikeBarnett]

I know it's so sad

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

That will never fly again.

[@MikeBarnett]

More than likely

[@reign114]

The GE J-79 will NOT fit into a F-4K. You will need Rolls Royce Speys.

[@MikeBarnett]

They did say this to me however didn't get it in the video. I didn't even scratch the surface so much more to see

[@aaronjamesDS]

This is awesome. I really hope this project sees completion. By the way those little holes in liner of the jet pipe are just for cooling air that maintains a layer of slightly cooler air while all that hot gas is exhausted. I've also been told that the holes play a role in noise reduction but I doubt that was the main priority given how loud these things are! The nozzles for fuel spray are in those rings at the most upstream end of the liner :)

[@MikeBarnett]

Imagine how loud it would be without them then lol. That's for watching 👀

[@lucasalfredorinconmontiel145]

For sure ... Never fly again.

[@MikeBarnett]

It would be nice to get one in the air again but it is extremely unlikely

[@xyzaero]

10 million USD and it will fly again😅

[@MikeBarnett]

Probably lol

[@stevecurd3944]

abs fantastic vid i spent many years watching F4's flying at Raf Wattisham,last time i saw a FGR2 fly was a Mildenhall Airfete 92 XT914 which is housed on display at Wattisham,im sure i remeber seeing photos of XT597 being held in open storage at Raf Bentwaters a few years ago,be fantastic when its full restored & its RR.Speys roaring again

[@MikeBarnett]

That's so cool. Yeah I know let's hope it can become reality again

[@philklemen]

I was a flight line engine mech back in the mid/late 70s and attaching and safety wiring the cannon plugs from the engine to the air frame on the F4 J-79 was a S.O.B!!!!!! Lol

[@MikeBarnett]

That's so cool. I bet you miss them. Thanks for watching

[@neilfoster814]

The F4 was way ahead of it's time, and the brute force of the RR Spey engines! My uncle was radar tech with 228 OCU at RAF Coningsby. Sadly, I can't see the CAA giving permission for a Phantom to fly, they were quick enough to ground the Vulcan after all.

[@MikeBarnett]

Totally agree hence it is still in Service now 😀

[@kavehthephantomboy]

Are you really serious ? An airworthy F-4K ? Oh dear God, I wish one day I see a team like Starfighters Inc using Phantoms.

[@MikeBarnett]

I wish we could get it air worthy. Thanks for watching 👀

[@miketaylor3947]

Clearly need to talk with Agent JayZ to get your J79 up and running again.

[@MikeBarnett]

Who lol

[@Wasatchmodelworks]

in america they get them flying

[@MikeBarnett]

Wish it was like that here 😪

[@mpedward2]

My late father was escorted by F4 fantom 2’s during his B52 bomber runs and missions in Vietnam late 1960’s and early 1970’s . Nothing like the sound of those F4 Phantom thunder makers!

[@MikeBarnett]

I have forgotten what they sound like i think i was about 13 last time i saw one fly. i would love to see one now.

[@MikeBarnett]

That myst of been an amazing sight watching them fly next to the b52. do you have any pictures of them

[@dp2905]

What is it with you Europeans and the NY Yankees hats?

[@MikeBarnett]

Is that what it is i thought it was just a fashion logo.... Maybe it JD sports favourite Basketball Team are the Yankees

[@MikeBarnett]

This was a Joke btw

[@millycarrington]

At 3:15 the 'little dinks' in the jet pipe will be for 'cooling air' to stop jet pipe melting / being damaged by the heat. Fuel is introduced near the circular rings the front of what you can see (called the flame holder). Would be excellent to see XT905 up and (ground) running as I used to work on it (and XV490) back on the OCU in the late 80s. Visited XT914 at Wattisham a couple of months ago that also an OCU jet when I was there so I've worked on three of the survivors!

[@MikeBarnett]

That makes sense thanks for the info 👍

[@tonydewey3023]

Great if they can achieve it, The vulcan was fantastic.good luck

[@MikeBarnett]

Thanks man and yeah love the Vulcan too

[@MARKLOCKWOOD2012]

time and money anything is possible.

[@MikeBarnett]

100% let's hope we see life in the old gal one day

[@foxstrangler]

The F-4 is subject to the SALT reduction talks, and unless the airframe still belongs to the Govt, it is illegal to install and run engines in the airframe. If engines are refitted, the engine mountings must be sawn through. We have one on display, and are well aware of the regulations.The F-4D that is flown privately in the USA required an Act of Congress motion to permit it, and it is owned by a museum.

[@MikeBarnett]

That sad news. Thanks for the info and thanks for watching

[@michaeldenesyk3195]

FYI, stop calling the combined LCOSS a HUD, it is not a HUD, it is a Lead Computing gunsight, it did not display any airspeed to navigation data. In fact, there is an instrument called the 'HUD' on the instrument panel. The only exceptions are the RAF Harrier and Jaguar, those aircraft had an early generation HUD that displayed NAV/ATTACK information and weapon aiming cues.

[@MikeBarnett]

Chill Winston 😎

[@MikeBarnett]

But all honesty thanks I had this conversation before with my pal david so many people call it a hud when it is just a gun sight and there I am doing the same. Was almost the excitement of the day. Thanks for the info and watching 👀

[@outlawflyer7868]

Millions of tax payers money just so it can taxi? What a stupid idea and a waste of money

[@MikeBarnett]

It's volunteer based and nothing to do with the tax payer

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Will it fly again??