Collings Foundation’s F-4 Phantom II Takes to the Skies Again!
When I was a kid, the Phantom was definitely the coolest bird. But I'd hate to pay for the insurance, maintenance and JP-4!The Collings Foundation‘s F-4 Phantom II is now the only flying example of its kind in North America. She took to the skies again in the capable hands of former US Air Force ‘Rhino’-driver Harry “D-Day” Daye at 10:50am local time on August 8th, 2017 from Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Listed on the US civil registry as N749CF, the 1965-built McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II once flew with the USAF as 65-0749. She is currently painted in the markings of 66-7680, a Phantom II flown by Col. Robin Olds’ during Operation Bolo in the Viet Nam War.
We are very fortunate that there is a civilian-owned Phantom II still flying at all. It actually took an Act of Congress to make it possible. With considerable political and financial assistance, the Collings Foundation was able to pass many significant (and justifiable) hurdles in order to acquire this aircraft through an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill of 1999.
Once acquired, the aircraft underwent a significant refurbishment to make it airworthy back in the late 1990s. This included replacing the engines with zero-timed examples, locating and adding ejector seats, upgrading the cockpit avionics, overhauling hydraulic systems and other components, not to mention the myriad structural inspections and repairs. Following thousands of hours of repairs, the F-4 first flew in civilian hands with the Collings Foundation in August, 1999. Due to the enormous expense of operations, the Collings Foundation flew her sparingly, but she still made regular appearances until 2011, when they grounded her for major maintenance.
