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Bill Voizin
{K:78} 12/3/2007
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Brings back memories...most good. Excellent focusing in on the F4 Larry...good detailing. Regards--Bill Voizin
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Jeroen Wenting
{K:25317} 11/30/2007
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Did some research. The aircraft belongs to the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron (don't ask me where the R comes from, probably the old function of these units which during the Vietnam era doubled as operators of recce drones which at the time were converted target drones). It's a QF-4 target drone, a converted F-4E which retains its cockpit so pilots can fly it until its final mission which is to be shot out of the sky in a missile test.
It's indeed based at Tyndall AFB, where the 82nd ARTS is part of the 53s Weapons Evaluation Group of the 325th Fighter Wing.
The aircraft is on assignment to the USAF historical flight.
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Larry Fosse
{K:66493} 11/30/2007
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Fraid I'm not the expert here Jeroen...I have an ex F4 fighter jock friend who could fill you in on all the detail
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Jeroen Wenting
{K:25317} 11/30/2007
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Nice. Vietnam era paint, TAC shield on the tail. Never heard of the squadron type "ATRS" though, doesn't sound like ANG. AFRES more likely, and probably a nominal training unit.
Is TD still Tindal AFB? Or did they change that too with the renumbering in the late 1990s?
The F-4 is still the baddest jet the USAF ever fielded (next to the F-105). The F-15 may outturn it, but nothing beats 2 J79s singing close harmony (or 40, if you've ever witnessed a full squadron scramble).
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Larry Fosse
{K:66493} 11/30/2007
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The Air Force still maintains a couple for Air Shows Riccardo....thanks
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Dave Stacey
{K:150877} 11/30/2007
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Excellent shot of one of my favourite planes, Larry! Dave.
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Riccardo De Matteis
{K:1485} 11/30/2007
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F4 still flying? with ANG? I was sure they were all replaced.
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