F-4 Restoration Progress

The F-4 restoration has progressed well. Much of the work occurs in areas within the Phantom itself so it is hard to see the progress. Wire bundles hang from open areas under the plane, inside the intakes, the cockpits and backbone while being installed. New stainless steel hydraulic lines are painstakenly being made and installed in the wheel wells, leading edge flaps, wing flight controls and everywhere else the jets life blood flows. Flight controls have been installed in the back seat of the Phantom, an ardarous task as the Navy model did not have them originally. Backseat controls from an unknown donor F-4 did the trick. It just took alot of hard work and a huge supply of swear words and band-aids.  The landing gear is installed and the wheel assemblies are next. We hope to have the magnificent beast on her wheels by Feb 09-the first time in nearly 40 years. Painting is on-going with the wings next. Wearing the markings of VF-101-the only unit it served in. We decided not to go with the original orange test colors as everyone would just think she was drone. In 1976 VF-101 had a bi-centenial color scheme on the Phantom-we liked it so 310 will have some of those markings.

Just one of many newly re-wired panels----wire bundles wait to be installed in the engine bays.

The familiar orginal Navy gull gray now applied to 310

The right outer wing painted and waiting to be installed.

The larger NAVY and star-n-bars worn in the early days.

The VF-101 markings are on both sides in black and gold trim.

180 was the modex number 310 wore on both sides of the nose.

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