F4 Phantom Request

Plastic Model Box

Here is a scan of a plastic model box lid, with recce pod.

Big Thank You

Many thanks for all the replies- im away for 48 hrs but will reply asap Rgds SF

Not just Germany..

These pods were also used in England by 41Sqn, RAF Coningsby!

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sg-etuo.de/bilder/XV495_41_EWsb.jpg&imgrefurl=http://sg-etuo.de/Visiting-Aircraft/RAF-No41-Sqn%3Fuserlang%3Den&usg=__6Be0o9zP702oRzA6Ed1RP-BGOck=&h=400&w=600&sz=68&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=d9atP9WUvuKwnM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=195&prev=/images%3Fq%3D41%2Bsqn%2BPhantom%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1R2GGLL_en%26biw%3D835%26bih%3D545%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=126&vpy=79&dur=2750&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=80&ty=142&ei=TcXbTLW1CZG74gbduMDACA&oei=Q8XbTLeTC4q2hAe4w7H_Dw&esq=3&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

I have heard… that only about 20 Phantoms were wired for the recce pod and that there were only about 10 pods made (by EMI). The pod-carrying capability put the R in FGR2 for the Phantom F-4M, by the way – even though only some of the fleet was able to carry it.

Is it true that the Jaguar was then configured to carry the pods? They took the role away from the Phantom so it is likely that the pods went out with, or before, the demise of the Jag. I have a suspicion that the pods were only used by RAF Germany too, so they may well have been disposed of/scrapped over there.

I have a Phantom (sim) cockpit set up as an FGR2. I even have the Recce pod control unit in place, which must be a pretty rare bit of kit. Incidentally, the recce pod nose in Jon H’s post is mine and is stored at Hooton Park.

I have a feeling that Forumite Terry P, who is ex-RAF electrical tech and who helped write AP’s for the Phantom when it was in service, has more technical and personal info on the recce pod. I will e-mail him and flag up this thread.

Anon.

I have heard… that only about 20 Phantoms were wired for the recce pod and that there were only about 10 pods made (by EMI). The pod-carrying capability put the R in FGR2 for the Phantom F-4M, by the way – even though only some of the fleet was able to carry it.

Is it true that the Jaguar was then configured to carry the pods? They took the role away from the Phantom so it is likely that the pods went out with, or before, the demise of the Jag. I have a suspicion that the pods were only used by RAF Germany too, so they may well have been disposed of/scrapped over there.

I have a Phantom (sim) cockpit set up as an FGR2. I even have the Recce pod control unit in place, which must be a pretty rare bit of kit. Incidentally, the recce pod nose in Jon H’s post is mine and is stored at Hooton Park.

I have a feeling that Forumite Terry P, who is ex-RAF electrical tech and who helped write AP’s for the Phantom when it was in service, has more technical and personal info on the recce pod. I will e-mail him and flag up this thread.

Anon.

No. The Jaguar pod was different and was known as the Vinten pod.

Nobody has mentioned the Phantom Photoflash pod yet!

;).

Recce Pod

Sorry don’t have any particular detail myself. See:

www.spyflight.co.uk/emipod.htm

which is fairly imformative and shows a diagram and photo. And see other hits from google search for “recconaisance pod EMI Phantom”.

Recce pod.

I have heard… that only about 20 Phantoms were wired for the recce pod and that there were only about 10 pods made (by EMI). The pod-carrying capability put the R in FGR2 for the Phantom F-4M, by the way – even though only some of the fleet was able to carry it.

Is it true that the Jaguar was then configured to carry the pods? They took the role away from the Phantom so it is likely that the pods went out with, or before, the demise of the Jag. I have a suspicion that the pods were only used by RAF Germany too, so they may well have been disposed of/scrapped over there.

I have a Phantom (sim) cockpit set up as an FGR2. I even have the Recce pod control unit in place, which must be a pretty rare bit of kit. Incidentally, the recce pod nose in Jon H’s post is mine and is stored at Hooton Park.

I have a feeling that Forumite Terry P, who is ex-RAF electrical tech and who helped write AP’s for the Phantom when it was in service, has more technical and personal info on the recce pod. I will e-mail him and flag up this thread.

Anon.

The RAF Museum have offered some help

Sounds like the people to talk to as they have one!

http://navigator.rafmuseum.org/results.do?view=detail&db=object&pageSize=1&id=117945

Anne

So what is your connection with the ‘Mighty Toom’? Pilot/Nav?

Also, that picture of the Blue Phantom (with baggage pod) I think may have been taken by Ian Black when he was based at RAF Leeming in 1992

Regards,

Phil.

Firstly as ever thanks for all the “Instant” Replies- Twin Otter thanks for that offer- was that the Trainer that used to be at Wattisham?
John H im pretty sure thats the nose of one- Only two squadrons used the pod 2 and 41. Im pretty sure EMI made it specifically for the RAF FGR2. In my mind i thinbk Greece or Turkey may have been offered them? Certainly they were offered the F4 J (UK) and the old FGR2s but declined. I’d be surprised if they were still Recce pods at Leuchars but who knows i would have thought Stafford. The RAF Museum have offered some help so thats good. It was 25 years ago that i flew the F4 so cant remember a lot! I have a firm belief that people who contribute need paying- how else do they buy camera’s lens’s etc its only fair- Thanks so far guys!

Firstly as ever thanks for all the “Instant” Replies- Twin Otter thanks for that offer- was that the Trainer that used to be at Wattisham?

Yes it was – I have some black and white photographs of it being off loaded after it was saved from the scrap man by a quirk of VAT back in the early 1990s!! 😉

We used to have one at Coltishall for BDR in thre 90’s – no idea where it went though :confused:

Sorry Forgot to add this

92 Sqn Blue FGR2

Thank You

Firstly as ever thanks for all the “Instant” Replies- Twin Otter thanks for that offer- was that the Trainer that used to be at Wattisham?
John H im pretty sure thats the nose of one- Only two squadrons used the pod 2 and 41. Im pretty sure EMI made it specifically for the RAF FGR2. In my mind i thinbk Greece or Turkey may have been offered them? Certainly they were offered the F4 J (UK) and the old FGR2s but declined. I’d be surprised if they were still Recce pods at Leuchars but who knows i would have thought Stafford. The RAF Museum have offered some help so thats good. It was 25 years ago that i flew the F4 so cant remember a lot! I have a firm belief that people who contribute need paying- how else do they buy camera’s lens’s etc its only fair- Thanks so far guys!

Missing Pods…

There was rumours that the RAF still had these recce pods stuck away somewhere. I heard RAF Leuchars mentioned but can’t think why as recce Phantoms were never based there…..

This part of one?
Jon

Certainly is, I remember that nose shape from my Phantom model making days, though I never saw an actual EMI pod.
Some very basic info here, http://www.spyflight.co.uk/emipod.htm

Im keen to know if any of the old RAF Recce pods still exist?

This part of one? Image isnt mine but is posted elsewhere on the internet.

Jon

Newark has a Phantom procedures trainer with reasonably complete front and rear cockpits, which you can just about make out on the top section of this webpage http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/contact_us.html

PM me if you’d like to try and set up a visit or see more pictures.

Nice to see such a refreshing approach with regard to photograph fees! 🙂