Anyone Else See It Today?
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,155
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From: A Spark On the Horizon
Anyone Else See It Today?
So I'm whippin' into Wally World in Brandon, hear a roar I haven't heard in many, many a year. Look up....freaking F-4 Phantom!! Been a really long time since one of these beasts have darkened the skies of Tampa, that I'm aware of.
As I watched looked like turning final for 22 at MacDill. Then I realized the markings on the aircraft were those of a QF-4...an F-4 that had been convereted to a target drone. I know they have a load of these at Eglin but my first time seeing one. So one QF-4, sans a pilot (remotely piloted) on final for MacDill. Sweet. A few minutes earlier I had heard what sounded like some other fighter aircraft but much higher altitude, bugging out. Since I was moving I couldn't locate them.
Can you imagine....given a nice hot jet to fly and your job today is to chase a Phantom around out over the gulf and jack that plane around with all kinds of wicked G. Some guys have all the fun
As I watched looked like turning final for 22 at MacDill. Then I realized the markings on the aircraft were those of a QF-4...an F-4 that had been convereted to a target drone. I know they have a load of these at Eglin but my first time seeing one. So one QF-4, sans a pilot (remotely piloted) on final for MacDill. Sweet. A few minutes earlier I had heard what sounded like some other fighter aircraft but much higher altitude, bugging out. Since I was moving I couldn't locate them.
Can you imagine....given a nice hot jet to fly and your job today is to chase a Phantom around out over the gulf and jack that plane around with all kinds of wicked G. Some guys have all the fun
Are you serious? I can't believe I missed that one. I'll keep my eyes peeled the next few days to see if I can snap a pic.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,113
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From: Florida
living in Apollo Beach I see stuff all the time as they come in to Macdill, lots of helicopters in diamond formation, pairs of A-10's, and the fighter jets come in in groups of 4's screaming low right above my house
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 14,485
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From: Ocala
Very cool 
I love to watch military aircraft operate ... even if it is a little dated
I also like to head out to the Ocala National Forest and 'sneak' in as close as I can to the Pinecastle bombing range. I don't see too many jets due to speed and altitude ... but, they do leave their 'mark' though
I love to watch military aircraft operate ... even if it is a little dated I also like to head out to the Ocala National Forest and 'sneak' in as close as I can to the Pinecastle bombing range. I don't see too many jets due to speed and altitude ... but, they do leave their 'mark' though
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,847
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From: Tampa
Very cool. I live Just north in Spring Hill. There is a Natioal Guard Base right up the road from me. So I mean seeing Blackhawks on a daily basis flying over super low is cool, but not as cool as some F4's or A-10's.
