Offered supersonic flight in F-4 Phantom

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Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
3,360
61
91
Random day today. Had a tech come to replace an LCD on a laptop under warrenty. Funny old guy came to replace it and we got to chatting. He seemed like a really cool guy and it turns out he use to be a fighter pilot. He says he was able to buy the old jet he use to fly and restore it for $800k. It was the actual jet he use to fly missions in, even still had his name under the paint. He says he is planning to open up a fighter jet training school locally where I live with a few pilot buddies of his and he offered to take me up and do a mach 2 flight and some acrobatics in his jet. I was thrilled to say the least.

What are the chances that this guy is a nut? He seemed to know his stuff, even sized me up to make sure they had a G-suit that would fit me. I'm still witholding judgment, but it sure would be sweet if he pulls through! He said it would take 17 minutes to fly from Santa Barbara to SFO, lol. Just have to go 80 miles off shore so the sonic booms are legal.
 
TehMac

TehMac

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2006
9,976
3
71
That is straight up badass.

The F-4 Phantom is an American icon. I'm surprised he was able to buy it. Those things weren't decommissioned until '91 I believe.

Might've gotten an A or B model. Was he in the Navy/Marines or the Air Force?
 
D

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
I am skeptical but intrigued by your idea and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

Keep us updated.
 
R

Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
3,360
61
91
I'll update if he contacts me. I gave him my card and I have his email. I can confirm that i've seen F-4s at our local airport while having dinner near there. As for why he works repairing computers, he said his wife runs the company that does the depot work and he goes out when he gets bored. Wish I had gotten his last name so I could do some research.
 
BrunoPuntzJones

BrunoPuntzJones

Lifer
Feb 24, 2001
14,513
4
81
He's a nut.

The maintenance and certification costs alone are several hundred grand a year. The guy isn't making that replacing laptop screens at $30 a pop.

And you can't just go around flying supersonic speeds. In the event he'd even get clearance, I don't think he'd take up some guy whose computer he was working on.

Grade F fruit.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
TehMac said:
That is straight up badass.

The F-4 Phantom is an American icon. I'm surprised he was able to buy it. Those things weren't decommissioned until '91 I believe.

Might've gotten an A or B model. Was he in the Navy/Marines or the Air Force?
Click to expand...

On 28 August 1961, a Phantom averaged 902.769 mph (1,452.826 km/h) over a 3 mi (4.82 km) course flying below 125 ft (40 m) at all times.[12]
Click to expand...
:eek:
 
G

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
TehMac said:
That is straight up badass.

The F-4 Phantom is an American icon. I'm surprised he was able to buy it. Those things weren't decommissioned until '91 I believe.

Might've gotten an A or B model. Was he in the Navy/Marines or the Air Force?
Click to expand...

You can buy these planes. But usually all you get is the plane. No engine, no avionics.
I can pick up an old 707 for probably a half million without the engines. Course the engines probably run 2-3 million a piece or more. :D
 
skyking

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,764
5,927
146
Genx87 said:
You can buy these planes. But usually all you get is the plane. No engine, no avionics.
I can pick up an old 707 for probably a half million without the engines. Course the engines probably run 2-3 million a piece or more. :D
Click to expand...
It is not that bad to buy, but as others have mentioned the maintenance is a real bummer. Here is a realistic example of a 727, since 707's are really not flying any more. A cool mil for a running 727!
http://www.aviatorsale.com/aix7525/

and a parts plane for 145K

http://www.aviationclassifieds.com/viewads.php?ads_id=17512
 
OutHouse

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
BrunoPuntzJones said:
He's a nut.

The maintenance and certification costs alone are several hundred grand a year. The guy isn't making that replacing laptop screens at $30 a pop.

And you can't just go around flying supersonic speeds. In the event he'd even get clearance, I don't think he'd take up some guy whose computer he was working on.

Grade F fruit.
Click to expand...

not really, there is a guy at the local airport where i live that bought and restored a MiG-17

http://www.airassets.com/redstorm.html

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/16/Mig17JeffCo.jpg


its fricken sweet seeing that red jet fly around.
 
Last edited:
BrunoPuntzJones

BrunoPuntzJones

Lifer
Feb 24, 2001
14,513
4
81
OutHouse

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
BrunoPuntzJones said:
Big price difference between old communist bloc jets and twin-engine US jet aircraft. You're already doubling maintenance costs on the engines out the gate.
Click to expand...

i know that. just pointing out that there are a few people out there that do have the resources available to mess around with old military jets.
 
R

Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
3,360
61
91
OutHouse said:
why?
Click to expand...

"This is the only civilian owned Phantom in the world, and in fact it took an amendment to a 1999 Act of Congress to make it possible."

"It takes a lot of money to operate a gas guzzling jet like this, but despite the high costs it's been able to successfully compete in the crowded airshow market"

This was 2005, but still. Who knows, maybe he's legit, but i'm not getting my hopes up too much.
 
adlep

adlep

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2001
5,287
6
81
You will go and start hang out with this dude in the hangar, and they will find you a month later with a ping pong ball stuck in the mouth...
Ber careful.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
You are going to get a supersonic ride alright...he's going to pick you up, invite you back to his place (the hangar) and whip out the ol' F4 fighter with a *wink wink*.
 
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