NAF El Centro, CA
RF-4B


Photo taken by and from the collection of Tom Bispo.


Photo taken by and from the collection of Tom Bispo.


Photo taken by and from the collection of Tom Bispo.


Photo taken by and from the collection of Tom Bispo.

Here is a photo of the El Centro RF-4B BuNo 151979 earlier in its career. The photo was taken on USS Midway on 25 Jan 1984 in the Indian Ocean. It suffered a hydraulic failure, stopping the nose gear from extending, thus causing the use of the onboard crash barrier.

Thanks to Stuart Forth for sending us this photo.

F4B Phantom 148367 that was on display at MCAS Yuma had been replaced by F4B Phantom 148373 in 2010. 8367 had fallen into poor repair and actually had a bent airframe when it was first put on display in 1976. 8373 had been in storage at the Flying Leatherneck Museum at MCAS Miramar CA but they already had F4S 157249 and RF4B 151981 on display.

Thanks to Eric Renth for the update on this aircraft.

Click on photo for larger photo

Photo taken by and from the collection Tony Wessel

This F4 was not flown by the Blue Angels.