Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

We had an F-4E crash on take off at George AFB. 1979ish. Left wing was unlocked and she soared over the flight line before impacting between the LOX plant and the POL dump. Did anyone else watch it crash? I'm trying to do a story on it and can't remember the tail number. Actual date? Crew? Help me out here.

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On June 1st, 1981 the 37th TFW lost an F-4G 'WW' (Serial# 69-0257) in Kelso, CA. Aircrew were LtC. Robert "Rob" E. Venkus and Cpt. Craig L. Blackman who both ejected safely. This is the only loss I could find of an F-4 from George AFB from 1976-1989. There was no cause listed so I'm not sure this is even the crash you are referring to since you stated in was an 'E' model.

Nope. It was and E out of Blue Section. We also lost a G when the aft canopy roller exploded. Material deficiency. It was an FCF so the command select was set Aft. The pilot said he heard the explosion as the rear canopy left the aircraft and in the next second he was out of the jet. This was before May 1980. He survived, the Bear did not. Names withheld.

Quote:

It was an FCF so the command select was set Aft.

One of a number of reasons I never had the WSO rotate the command selector to AFT, insisting it be left FWD. Coming out of single-seaters that whole concept turned me off.

If the WSO saw a need in his mind to get out, he was certainly welcome to....on his own, at any time. If I wanted to stay that's my problem not his....and my decision, not his.

If I saw a need to get out, he was going first anyway.

I know the argument, what if I'm incapacitated? What if I'm incapacitated in a single-seater?

Problem was you couldn't tell if that sneaky WSO rotated the valve just to be contrary. Shocked

Sorry, don't know anything about the accident, but enjoy talking F-4's. Very Happy

If I remember correctly, the E didn't even have folding wings to begin with.

The C's and D's still had the motors installed and you could fold them from the left wheel well. A pretty good prank during maintenance runs. The E and G models still had folding wings but you had to push them up manually and lock them in place with -21 equipment. It was a 14 day inspection to fold and lube. This is what killed this jet. Airman FAILED to lock the wing after the inspection.

I have discovered that the crashed happened on 2 JULY 1979.

http://theronmoon.smugmug.com/Desert-Wr ... mp;k=jRR4Z

The tail number was 69-7269
http://thephantomshrine.co.uk/Databases/f4-serials.txt

Anyone have any pictures of 269?

I Watched as the Phantom Crashed

Forum: Military Aircraft of the Cold War

F-4 Crash with Wing Folded