Lakenheath Rhinos

[Wigzy]

In the two years following the departure of their Super Sabres the 48th TFW became a 'hollow unit' with only two dozen F-4Ds on strength and consequently very little flying. In 1974 however when USAF's post-Vietnam Phantom force became more available the Wing quickly built up to full strength with frequent waves of six or more arriving (usually as the light was beginning to fade or it started to rain!) The base began hosting F-4s from other USAFE units on short term visits and the 'last chance' area by the 25 threshold was a good spot to catch them leaving on Sunday afternoons. The base also occasionally handled overnight 'Crested Cap' deployment stopovers from Holloman to Germany which I successfully managed to miss every time..In 1977 the Rhinos went back to the US as part of 'Operation 'Ready Switch' in exchange for the arrival of the ultimate aardvark.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/147668976 ... 3593607101

wiggy954 on Flickr

[garyscott]

Love it!! Cant beat a good load of Phantoms, glory days indeed.

[MR TERRY GREEN]

I wish I could have been standing next to you for all those pictures.Lovely wonderful pictures.

[chek16]

Great pictures, thanks for posting.

I'd recently had discussions about that bad batch of pea green 30219 tan, and whether the 48th TFW had any LORAN equipped F-4Ds, so your photos are very timely.

[rolypoly33]

Three outstanding posts john
Richard

[Blue Diamond]

Superb set.

[The Phantom]

Cracking stuff

[eagle driver]

As others have said Brilliant, fond memory s of running around from base to base as each weekend unfolded

[dollar99]

All 3 sets are superb. You now realise, with hindsight, you should have spent more time yourself round those bases, there were some great photo spots to be had.

Phantoms phorever

Ian

[herbert]

Very interesting. I have been trying to plot where the aircraft would have been on th airfield. Presumably the Victor alert shelters were demolished years ago, I don’t think an F-111 would have fitted in.

[Ranger]

Very interesting. I have been trying to plot where the aircraft would have been on th airfield. Presumably the Victor alert shelters were demolished years ago, I don’t think an F-111 would have fitted in.

At that time there were no HAS at all. It looked like one big ramp with parked F4D's everywhere driving along the base on the A1065. A beautiful sight.

Cheers,
Ranger

[Wigzy]

Thanks all for kind comments. For Phans who liked the March 1973 Bitburger shot from The Warren it seems that I overlooked what was standing next to them. The George machine was on loan to the 49th TFW for the latter's CRESTED CAP deployment and had dropped out of its cell on the way home from Bitburg to Holloman. When it did get back there it apparently joined the 7th TFS.

BW1145 transient line Lakenheath 18MAR73 copy copy by John Wigzell, on Flickr

[slogen51]

Brilliant pictures

Love those CR phantoms

I didn't start going to Lakenheath until 1976 - lucky to get the phantoms by simply walking along the fences on a Saturday but I so wish I had taken some photos or gone there mid week.

Although thinking about it I didn't have a proper camera - we take digital photography for granted now so your post is of real interest and value for posterity

Photos of Lakenheath phantoms at Lakenheath hardly ever seen to appear

[Weazel69]

I started in 66 where in those days you were lucky if you had a camera with telefoto lens, but I do have some slides pre tail code days and even a colored print of a F4C in the original Gull Grey/White scheme taken at a Coltishall BoB Day...Oh the Memories!!!

[Weazel69]

before I get chastized for the above post yes I am aware that my pix are not of LN F4's but I just got carried away because you were talking of the F4..sorry!!!

[Knife 04]

Dont apologise Weasel - although to make amends what you could do is add more to the thread!