F16CrewChief

Here is a selection of F-4G "Wild Weasel" Active Duty Air Force (ADAF) aircraft in the last warpaint carried by these jets, the Hill II Grey Scheme. The Wild Weasel mission was developed during the Vietnam war as a way to suppress enemy ground gun and missile defenses. The 'Weasels' would go in prior to a strike package and tempt the enemy air defense sites as potential targets but would 'Lock-on' to the enemy guidance systems when they were powered up and destroy them before the enemy could target the Weasels. F-4Gs were modified from FY 1969 Block 42, through Block 45 F-4E aircraft. The internal 20 mm 'Vulcan' cannon was removed and the Electronics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and antennas for the AN/APR-38 Radar Homing and Warning System were installed. The F-4G has capabilities for launching the AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-78 and AGM-88 HARM Anti-Radiation missiles. The Hill II camouflage scheme these aircraft carried consisted of FS (Federal Standard Color) 36118 Gunship Grey and

Here is a small selection of active duty air force (ADAF) F-4E 'Phantom IIs" in the last livery they would carry before their retirement. The Hill II scheme these aircraft carried consisted of FS (Federal Standard Color) 36118 Gunship Grey and the lighter shade of FS36270 Neutral Grey. The upper surface scheme was 'mirrored' on the aircraft lower surfaces. The Hill I scheme differed from the Hill II scheme as the dark grey colors tended to terminate aft of the canopy frame. Here is a photo of an F-4D and RF-4C aircraft in the early Hill I scheme. Note how the dark grey color is not carried forward of the canopy rails or under the nose: Contrast the photos above with these photos of a different F-4D and RF-4C in the Hill II scheme for comparison. Note the 'Gunship Grey' color is carried forward of the canopy and under the nose of the aircraft: I hope you enjoy this look back at the last of the active duty F-4Es in service!

Here is a look back at the RF-4C Phantom II in the Hill Grey camouflage, the last tactical scheme the aircraft would carry. In this series we will look at the Air National Guard (ANG) units that operated these 'Photo Phantoms' before the type was retired from the USAF. I hope you enjoy this look back at these interesting aircraft!