Tyndall Rhinos

[Hans Antonissen]

Finally got the time and oppertunity to go to Tyndall AFB to shoot their QF-4's. There are some 50 left at Tyndall right now. They are killing them at a rate of 1 a month so they have some more years left before the QF-16's take over. Here is a first scan of a QF-4E.

Grtz,

Hans

[Stephan Lodewijks]

Stunning!!!!

[DJdeRidder]

Nice shot.

They are killing them at a rate of 1 a month so they have some more years left before the QF-16's take over.

And how often do they fly without being shot down? Multiple flights a day?

[robertssb]

More photos please
It's a shame that these beautifull aircraft are being destroyed !!!

greetings robert.

[Hans Antonissen]

Nice shot.

They are killing them at a rate of 1 a month so they have some more years left before the QF-16's take over.

And how often do they fly without being shot down? Multiple flights a day?

There are three different F-4 spots at Tyndall. The main ramp/hangers, here are about 15/20 F-4's which fly about 4-10 sorties a day. The QF-4 ramp, about two miles from the main base. They have their own runway and hangers, here you can find some 25 Rhinos. Third place is called "swamp area" or better known as "death row" here you can find 5-10 waiting for their final call.

Grtz,

Hans

[LV84]

How do these planes work, do they always fly remote controlled? or is there also an option for a Pilot? as you see them flying in formation during Airshows aswell.

[Hans Antonissen]

How do these planes work, do they always fly remote controlled? or is there also an option for a Pilot? as you see them flying in formation during Airshows aswell.

I was told that the ones parked at Tyndall's main ramp are the piloted ones and the rest are supposed to be remote. When their remaining flighthours run low they move up a ramp untill they finally end up at death row.

[Hornet69]

Hi Hans,

Only one Rhino photographed (out of some 50)? Is this one from "death row"? Did you also see active Rhino's? Please some more Rhino's.

Grtz,

Edward.

[SquAdmin]

There are three different F-4 spots at Tyndall. The main ramp/hangers, here are about 15/20 F-4's which fly about 4-10 sorties a day. The QF-4 ramp, about two miles from the main base. They have their own runway and hangers, here you can find some 25 Rhinos. Third place is called "swamp area" or better known as "death row" here you can find 5-10 waiting for their final call.

Hmm, I always thought storage area on the opposite site of the active ramps was called "the Swamp". In the past other aircraft like a MiG-29 and MiG-23 were also stored there.

[sp00k]

the location 2 miles from Tyndal in `93

sorry about the quality.. (i shot it in `93, converted it to digital in `08)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5niMEGCQWnE

[Hans Antonissen]

Finally finished editing Tyndall. Here are some more. A complete report can be found at http://www.supercruise.nl. Does anyone know what the bump(fuselage) on the last F-4(72-135) is for?

Grtz,

Hans

[Olli J.]

Real great job Hans, it impress me much...

[Key]

Yum-mie!

Erik

[Richard from Rotterdam]

very nice! I am jealous! As for the hump on the back of the final Spook, I am guessing that it is part of the remote piloting suite.

[BaasG]

There are two kinds of QF-4s. The first is NULLO Full-scale Aerial Targets which keep the above basic drone conversions. For the 82d, NULLO means Not Under Live Local Operation. A NULLO flight always requires at least three drones, the ones to be shot down, a spare and a manned QF-4 flying as chase plane. The second one is the manned full-scale drones fitted with advanced countermeasure systems installed by the USAF. While some of the twin-stick QF-4s retain their dual control system as trainer and both ejection seats in working orders, the other manned QF-4s have the rear cockpit ejection seat removed. All NULLO aircraft have both ejection seats removed. Noticeable differences between the twos are the six antennas from the VDOPS scoring system, the hump on top of the fuselage, a crude box on the left intake and a fairing in the left forward Sparrow well.

source: wikipedia 82d Aerial Targets Squadron