10-12-2006, 03:26 PM
I saw a program on the History Channel (maybe) recently where the remaining stock of airworthy F-4s are being refurbished and used for target practice. On the program they showed a whole row of F-4s still in "mothballed" condition.
The F-4s hold a special place in my heart because they were the fighter jets I saw go over my house at supersonic speed on a daily basis during the Vietnam war, then skim the treetops on the return trip to the airport. However, with their slab-sided fuselage and flat airflow splitters ahead of each engine air intake, their radar signatures must be both huge and unmistakable...and excellent for airborne target practice.
I suppose when they run out of F-4s in this role, they'll start using F-14s.
The F-4s hold a special place in my heart because they were the fighter jets I saw go over my house at supersonic speed on a daily basis during the Vietnam war, then skim the treetops on the return trip to the airport. However, with their slab-sided fuselage and flat airflow splitters ahead of each engine air intake, their radar signatures must be both huge and unmistakable...and excellent for airborne target practice.
I suppose when they run out of F-4s in this role, they'll start using F-14s.