First deployment of 4TFW F-4E's to Europe

[Keflavik69]

When I went spotting at Ramstein for a day on July 14th, 1975, much to my surprise 2 SJ-coded Phantoms made a low approach. Then when after 30 minutes another 2 came in for an approach I realised they should be based somewhere in Northern Europe, most likely Germany. A few days later I first drove to Bitburg, nothing there. Next stop was Spangdahlem where several SJ's could be seen from near the old main gate. It was the start of many deployments I was able to see and photograph in the following years. I hope you find them of interest.

Ramstein 14 July 1975. F-4E 68-0466 SJ + 72-489 SJ 4TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Ramstein 14 July 1975. F-4E 68-0466 SJ 4TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Ramstein 14 July 1975. F-4E 72-1489 SJ 4TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Spangdahlem 17 July 1975. F-4E 69-7268 SJ 4TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Spangdahlem 17 July 1975. F-4E 72-0139 SJ 4TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Spangdahlem 17 July 1975. F-4E 67-0364 SJ 4TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Spangdahlem 17 July 1975. F-4E 68-0395 SJ 4TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Spangdahlem 17 July 1975. F-4E 72-1407 SJ 4TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Regards,
Arnold

[dennis273]

Nice set Arnold - top quality as always

Dennis

[hvaneupen]

Very nice again Arnold (hope you’re doing well after last friday). Many of these SJ’s (fy72-74) ended up at SP and RS after deployments.

[F3]

Fine selection there Arnold. #4+7 exceptional.

[Punkrunner62]

Brilliant Arnold, great to see the F-4E, after seeing the SJ F-15E at Lakenheath last week.
Cheers.

[Mustang531]

Thanks Arnold, once again a nice selection of shots. Phantoms are always welcome!

[paddyboy]

Hi Arnold

Yet another awesome set

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[Weazel69]

Very Nice Indeed and Lucky Ol' You
the 1st time I got too see them was in 1978 when they used to visit the local bases of Bentwaters, Lakenheath & Alconbury for weekend visiting ( those were the days )
and I also managed to get a couple of pix of them at the back of the base/Alconbury where they used to park the visitors, and the one thing that sticks in my mind is All those small notification/warnings they would sometimes wear

Happy Days

[herbert]

Wonderful. I have seen many images from that deployment but none in flight. Thank you.

[Petepilot]

Thanks for posting Arnold - the subjects are always really interesting, the quality, given the era is absolutely stunning. I could barely frame an aircraft properly in those days!

[3Greens]

Brilliant shots Arnold Haven't seen shots from this deployment before.
When visiting Arnhem around 1980 I found a great picture/reference book in a local book store by Geert Mast - it has all deployments listed (with many pictures) into Europe by the USAF from 1968 -1978.
In 1975 the book lists 18 x F4E's from 4 TFW / 335TFS Seymour Johnson from 11-25 July, and late that year another 18 arriving on 10th Sept. from 334TFS

Excellent scans from 47 years
Thankyou for posting

Keith (3Greens)

[ypenburg63]

Nice shots, Arnold. I love those old pictures!

Grtz,

Rolf

[The Phantom]

Phantastic images