Soesterberg 1970 visiting Phantoms

[Keflavik69]

Some visiting Phantoms I photographed in 1970 at my home-base. I hope you like them.

Soestererg 1970. F-4D 65-0726/WR 81TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 1970. F-4C 64-0886/WT 81TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 1970. F-4D 64-0959/HR 50TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 1970. F-4E 68-0512/HS 50TFW/496FIS by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 1970. F-4E 68-0480/BU 36TFW/525FIS by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 1970. F-4D 66-7605/BS 36TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 1970. F-4C 64-0888/ZS 26TRW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 1970. F-4D 66-7471/KB 49TFW by arnold booy, on Flickr

Regards,
Arnold

[f106dart]

There are some codes I've not seen. Keep it up

[Gordie1049]

Arnold happy 2022! I have loved all your posts, all from my era so keep them coming. You are rekindling my enthusiasm. Best wishes. Gordon

[paddyboy]

Hi Arnold

Like them

It’s a simple from me

Thanks for yet another awesome post

Paddyboy

[dennis273]

Another fantastic set Arnold - top quality. Bringing back LOTS of happy memories

dennis

[Mustang531]

Thanks Arnold, these are great to see. Mention of the tail codes goes back to when individual units had their own allocated and remember seeing some. I think we all appreciate your offerings!

[dragonchaser]

Another excellent set, the black and white does nothing to detract from the quality of these shots, please keep these nostalgic posts coming

[F3]

Like them? Just a bit! Have to say your B&W photographs are absolutely 1st. class.
Just can't have enough Tooms!

[Hunter49]

Really crack on images , more please! Rob

[MR TERRY GREEN]

Cracking pictures, anything F-4 always welcome loving all your posts.

[haveblue]

Lovely shots Arnold. Great selection of great looking Phantoms. Thanks for posting.

[Vulture 01]

Ref the strange codes. When the USAF went to SEA camo schemes they also adopted code letters for each wing. Initially, the first letter was for the wing, with a second letter showing the squadron.
So, for Woodbrifdge/Bentwaters they had W, the From memory) R,S and T. Bitburg had B then T,U and V. Due to the build-up of units in South East Asia (ie Vietnam etc) they started to run out of codes, so each wing was given two letters for all the jet. Hence WR (Woodbridge/Bentwaters); BT (Bitburg); LN (Lakenheath) and so on.

As an aside, just think how many units aren't around anymore: Hahn, Ramstein, Zweibrucken, Torrejon, Bentwaters, Woodbridge, Upper Heyford and Alconbury all had fighter wings, whilst Soesterburg and Keflavik both had a single squadron. Add to that the reductions to RAF and NATO European units, that's close to 1,000 less jets to spot, so no wonder the airfields are quiet these days!

Please excuse the ramblings of an ancient spotter!

[slogen51]

omg

Another superlative post.

They are so clear it's almost unbelievable.

I like these posts because most of us can ( just about) relate to the USAFE aircraft in this post although Hahn was fully F-4E when I started , didn't even know they had F-4D!

[Keflavik69]

Thank you all very much for the kind reactions you gave on my photos.

Vulture 01, your explanation sounds plausible but I thought that the units in SE Asia were the first ones to apply tailcodes, actually each individual aircraft its own code. I thought that the disappearance of squadron codes had to do with the reorganisation of the maintenance from squadron level to wing level. That put all aircraft in one big pool. But maybe I am wrong here.
Regards, Arnold

[Stratocruiser]

Brilliant!
I really miss the extremely photogenic Tombs so many thanks for sharing them