There was a familiar thunder over Texas on the weekend as the Collings Foundation’s F-4 Phantom flew for the first time in seven years. The aircraft, the only civilian F-4 in existence, took off from Ellington Field in Houston for a 40-minute hop that included two touch-and-goes and a full stop that allowed pilot Harry “D-Day” Daye, a 2,500-hour Air Force Phantom pilot who flew 1,000 of those hours as an instructor, to become current. In the back seat was Jerod Flohr, who has led the volunteer effort to get the hulking fighter back in the air. “It was a privilege to slip the surly bonds with my friend and fellow pilot Jerod Flohr,” Daye said after they landed. “Thank you to all the many wonderful volunteers who contributed to this amazing achievement!”
There will be a run on earplugs across the country as Fighterjets Inc. will take the F-4 on the road along with an F-100 Super Sabre that is also making its return to the show circuit. They’ll be joined by an A-4 for the season in a showcase of Vietnam era air power. The jets are all owned by the Collings Foundation but Fighterjets Inc. leases them for airshows. The Vietnam War Flight Museum is also involved. We couldn’t find a schedule for their appearances but expect it will be forthcoming.
Yep, it’s a Phantom all right; even in the overcast, tally-ho the smoke. Wonderful job folks, great to see that bird back in the air.
Thank you Russ! If you do see the schedule, please keep us updated.
FP for the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing in Vietnam. One of the Commanders of the 8th was Robin Olds.
I would love to see that! When I was a kid, the Thunderbirds put on a show every year at our local AFB. To see (and hear and feel) six of those rumbling, smoking monsters fly by in low formation was truly a majestic experience.
I do recall when decades ago a pair of Phantoms came in (very) low from the direction of Boundary Bay to the Abbottsford Air show unannounced by the show commentators at way more than 250 kts, did a barrrel roll with full power (afterburners?) and promptly disappeared back down south. We all felt the ground shake. This I will always remember.
I really hope the schedule will come out soon, because I doubt it will be at my local air shows, I haven’t seen vintage military jets at them in years, and would travel to see it fly.
Glad to hear that they’re flying again, but parsing your second sentence is making my brain hurt.
Dropped a few words. Try now:)
well i did not think any more f-4s flying anymore. i worked on f-4s 78-81 uss midway. miss the cat shots thanks
How could Harry have a passenger in the back seat if his landing currency was not up to date?
Harry described the ‘passenger’ as, “… my friend and fellow pilot Jerod Flohr.”
Flohr led the restoration effort; I’m willing to assume that he was officially PIC.
I flew with Harry at T-38 Fighter Lead-in at Holloman and then RTU at Luke in 1980. Great times and hard to believe 46 years ago!!