Words and photos by Niall Grant and Ken Meegan
Fifty is a significant milestone and 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom into Turkish Air Force service. Powered by two PW J79 engines, distinctive dihedral outer wings, and anhedral tailplanes the Phantom II traded manoeuvrability for speed. Its combat record in Vietnam and the Middle East made it an icon of the 1960/70s.
When production ceased in 1979, 5,195 examples had been built, making the F-4 Phantom one of the most successful fighter aircraft since World War II. It served in the armed forces of eleven countries. Following the retirement of the remaining Republic of Korea Air Force’s F-4D/Es, only Greece, Iran, and Turkiye continue to operate the type.
In an acknowledgement of its long service, the Turkish Air Force, were determined to mark fifty years of Phantom operations. In mid-October Flying In Ireland were invited to attend the celebrations at Eskisehir in central Turkiye.
History
On the morning of 27th May 1958, McDonnell test pilot Robert Little lined the company’s newest prototype jet fighter, the YF4H-1, up on St Louis municipal’s runway. As the old adage goes if it look right, it will fly right. Unusually, everything worked and entry into service soon followed.
By the early 1970s the Phantom II had begun to win a number of export orders. With tensions rising between Greece and Türkiye, in 1972 Greece decided to purchase the F-4E Phantom II. The Turkish Air Force knew they needed to respond and acquire a modern sophisticated aircraft. Under Peace Diamond I forty F-4E Phantom IIs were ordered in August 1972. The following year, eight pilots, four Weapon System Operators, three maintenance officers and 86 ground crew were dispatched to the USA for training. On the 30thAugust 1974 the first two F-4E Phantom IIs were delivered to 1st Main Jet Base at Eskisehir. After an initial eight exampleswere delivered, an embargo arising from the Cyprus invasion, temporarily delayed the reminder of the Peace Diamond III order. This was finally lifted in late 1975. In 1976, it was decided to order a second batch of 40 aircraft to replace North American F-100 Super Sabres and Northrop F-5As. This order included eight RF-4Es, to replace the RF-5A with 113 Squadron.
In addition to the eighty new builds, Turkish ranks were augmented during the 1980s by several batches of former US Air Force F-4Es and twenty former Luftwaffe RF-4Es. In total some 205 examples of the Phantom II were acquired and served with eight front line units at Eskisehir, Erhac-Malatya and Konya. The 401st Test squadron was also stood up at Eskhisehir to test various weapons and systems integrated into fleet.
Enter the Terminator
Throughout their service the fleet has undergone a number of upgrades, but as the 1990s came to a close, the Turkish Air Force acknowledged the Phantom fleet needed a comprehensive upgrade to remain competitive against third generation fighters. Enter Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI). They had successfully modernised Israel’s fleet of Phantom IIs. Known as the Kurnass 2000, these contained new avionics, MFDs screens, and a digital communication bus. The Turkish Air Force liked what they saw and so on the 22nd of February 1999, the first aircraft was sent to Israel. Some 54 aircraft, twenty-eight in country, were subject to the modernisation program which was completed in 2001. Known as the F-4E/2020 Terminator, these upgraded Phantoms gave 111 squadron true day/night all-weather strike capabilities.
The fleet has under a number of domestic upgrades including Project Isik in 2004 which focused on navigation systems of the remaining RF-4E fleet. Finally in 2006 under Project Simsek sixteen F-4Es received structural and avionic modernisation.
Throughout its service the F-4 fleet has undertaken numerous combat operations in both Northern Iraq and Syria.
From its height of eight squadrons, only the initial unit, 111 Filo at Eskisehir continues to operate St. Louis’ big twin. While no match for modern forth and fifth generations jets, the Phantom II continues to play an effective role in Turkiye’s counterterrorism operations.
The Phantom II is set to fly with 111 Filo until 2030 when it will be replaced by some forty recently ordered Eurofighter Typhoons.
50th Celebrations
Fifty is a significant milestone and the Turkish Air Force were determined to mark the occasion of 50 years of Phantom operations. In mid-October Flying In Ireland were invited to attend the celebrations.
The event, or rather events were held over the weekend of the 16/17th November at Eskisehir. After a pleasant flight on a Turkish Airlines A321Neo we arrived on Friday evening in Istanbul. Car hire sorted; we settled in for an interesting four-hour journey in weather more typical to home. The Turkish Air Force provided GPS co-ordinates for the location of Saturday’s activities – some 2.5hrs drive further east into the countryside and up the mountains overlooking the Gokcekaya Baraji reservoir in the Suleler valley.
In the week leading up to events, the weather forecasts continued to deteriorate. Showing their flexibility, the Turkish Air Force announced that Tuesday would be an alternative if Saturday’s weather didn’t improve. The official instruction pack reminded people that it was a moderate-hard climb from the road and to watch for encounters with wild animals! But in the end, it was a straight forward 15min spin up to the vantage point. Thankfully no wild animals, especially Bears or dogs, were encountered – the sight of numerous armed soldiers keeping guard may have convinced them to stay away. Happy with our chosen spot, we waited, hoping the weather would improve, and they’d fly. The alternative day wasn’t an option for most.
Around 1400 the weather started to show some slight signs of improvement, although from a photography perspective the light was on the floor. But the skies to the south were brightening. There was hope. “Airborne time 1445…” They were doing it… light or no light… no Tuesday flight. Check the settings on the camera, estimate their route through the valley. 1500, “here they come from the west…low” And so right on queue had the sun! Two aircraft, one in the standard markings of 111 Filo trailing the special Phantom Phorever F-4.
What followed was 30 minutes of some of the best low-level flying ever witnessed. Multiple passes, twelve each in total, some leaving shockwaves along the water’s surface and one unbelievably close pass that caused some to hit the dirt. One final pass from the east and they were gone climbing out of the valley for home. So concluded Saturday’s valley flight event. An epic way to celebrate a 50th.
Sunday was on base at Eskisehir courtesy of 111 Filo. After security checks we were transported to the runway’s edge, for the morning’s flypast for the visiting senior officers and VIPs by five Phantoms. Sadly, the weather had reverted to being cold and overcast.
A small static display of four aircraft, along with an impressive array of weapon layouts were able to be viewed during lunchtime, with music by the Air Force’s “Eagles of the Jazz” band who were flew from Ankara on a Casa Cn-235.
Sadly, the weather only improved marginally for the afternoon’s “passage flight” comprising of four F-4s. With the Passage Flight recovered it was time for the final act, the elephant walk, or should that be Rhino walk. Ten aircraft, eight from 111 Filo and two from the test unit taxied along the runway in front of the assembled guests.
At a time where many air forces seemingly have light interest in celebrating milestones, and even less interest in inviting enthusiasts, the weekend’s events were refreshing. It also provided must substantial revenue to the local tourist economy, and an insight to a part of Turkiye that many had never considered visiting.
Thank you Turk Hava Kuvvelteri, especially 111 Filo and Tevfik Cimen (CMSgt TurAF PAO), for your assistance and the opportunity to be part of your Phantom 50 celebrations. It will live long in the memory.
