A rare unit to visit March but obviously on a X-country flight, "TALK 21" arrives in less than stellar conditions

Photographer: Denis Hughes

This is one of 20 RF-4Cs that were modified with the LORAN navigation system as can be seen from the antenna on the fuselage. Seen here with the Eglin AFB based test unit.

A rare Phantom, assigned to the 4485th Test Squadron of the USAF Air Warfare Center at Eglin AFB (FL). The 4485th operated several Phantom types at that time, F-4Ds, F-4Es, RF-4C and F-4Gs. The latter and so the one on the picture belonged to 4485th TS/Det.5, which was based at George AFB (CA). These birds initially carried the 35th TFW code of 'WW' before switching to 'OT'. During the switch, the birds received a gray checkered pattern on the fin cap, representing a toned-down version of the black and white checkers.

Det.5 Phantoms were rarely seen, so I was happy to photograph a few during a Green Flag exercise at Nellis. Unfortunately, the light was on the wrong during photography (or the Phantom took the wrong runway at Nellis?). Anyway, as the bird was rare, I still enjoy to have seen it (although the picture quality is not the best).