Over the weekend of 16th and 17th November 2024 the Turkish Air Force organised an event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the McDonnell F-4E Phantom II in Turkish service. Chris Wood was there and reports for GAR.
The activities took the form of a series of low flybys at a remote low level location on Saturday 16th and a day on their base at 1st Main Jet Base Eskisehir on Sunday 17th. Invitations were sent out a month before to media and enthusiasts (presumably from a list of names from previous Anatolian Eagle spotters’ days) and there were several hundred people in attendance.
The low level location was only revealed a few days before the event, in a remote area in the Catacik National Park some two and a half hours drive from the city of Eskisehir. Having found the spot, marked by Air Force personnel and police, a shortish walk and climb was needed to get to a rocky outcrop overlooking the Sakarya river near the village of Calkaya. It had been announced that the flying would happen between 1200 and 1600, weather permitting, and most people arrived in plenty of time so the area became very crowded.
The forecast over the proceeding days had not been optimistic, and on the day it was overcast with cloud on some of the hills. Around 1400, it got quite gloomy and there was speculation that it might not happen. However shortly after 1500, when the cloud had lifted and the light improved, a jet was spotted out to the west. As it ran in for its first pass there was surprise when it was revealed to be in a special 50th anniversary colour scheme. It was followed a minute later by a second jet in the standard grey colours and markings of the last Turkish F-4E squadron, 111 Filo, known as the Panterler (Panthers).
Specially painted for the 50th Anniversary of Turkish F-4E operations, on it’s first pass © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Followed a minute later by this aircraft © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Rumour had it that each aircraft would do three passes. However that was an under estimate as, over the next 30 minutes, each aircraft flew 12 passes on numerous different lines. The first two were west to east then a reversal with the next nine being east to west, with the final pass back to west to east with the crews saluting as they flew past! The specially marked jet flew one pass very close to the hill and you needed lightning reactions to get a shot. Those that did, got what was probably the best shot of the day. After the final pass there was a spontaneous round of applause from all those gathered on the hill, and a sense that we’d witnessed something special.
Some passes were at viewer level, some much lower. On this pass he started off low, which made you realise how deep the valley was, then pulled and rolled as he went by © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Phantom Phorever! Can’t argue with that! © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
The Sunday dawned grey and stayed that way. The day’s activity started with an opportunity to purchase memorabilia, and then a trip out on to the airfield for a morning flight of five aircraft, led by the 50th anniversary specially marked jet. They performed a number of flybys before recovering back to Eskisehir. Next on the programme was an opportunity to view and photograph four static aircraft, followed by lunch then there was a concert by an air force band.
The 50th Anniversary special gets airborne in the murk © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Landing back after the morning flight. The proximity to the runway allowed some pleasing braking chute shots © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Then it was back out to the airfield for a further flight, this time by four aircraft again led by the special. When they recovered they proceeded to the far end of the runway and then did a 180 degree turn and taxied back down the runway, joined by another six aircraft, in an elephant walk. Included in this group was one aircraft with a specially painted tail celebrating 100 years of 111 Filo, and the two aircraft of 401 Filo, which are used for tests and trials work. They stopped for a while whilst the media and Air Force personnel took photographs and video, then the aircraft taxied back to their various parking areas and the enthusiasts were bussed back to the gate.
F-4E Elephant Walk, quite a spectacle © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
One of two F-4Es operated by 401 Filo from Eskisehir © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
The first of 72 new build F-4Es and eight RF-4Es was delivered to the Turkish Air Force on 30th August 1974. They were subsequently followed by a further 114 former US Air Force F-4Es and 46 former West German Air Force RF-4Es. They were operated from three bases by eight front line squadrons and one test squadron.
1st Main Jet Base Eskisehir was home to 111 Filo ‘Panther’ and 112 Filo ‘Devil’ with F-4Es and 113 Filo ‘Light’ with RF-4Es, as well as the test squadron 401 Filo. The active fleet is now down to around 20 aircraft, with 111 being the last operational F-4E unit. 401 operate a pair of F-4Es as well as a small number of F-16s.
111 Filo F-4E-2020, the last operational F-4 squadron in the Turkish Air Force © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
3rd Main Jet Base Konya was home to 131 Filo ‘Dragon’ and 132 Filo ‘Dagger’ with F-4Es. 131 was the training squadron.
7th Main Jet Base Erhac-Malatya was home to 171 Filo ‘Pirate’ and 172 Filo ‘Falcon’ with F-4Es and 173 Filo ‘Dawn’ with RF-4Es. 171 was the penultimate F-4E squadron, relinquishing their aircraft in 2016.
Seen at Konya in 2019, still wearing the markings of 171 Filo. This was the 5000th F-4 built, as noted on the nose, and is carrying an AN/ASQ-153 Pave Spike targeting pod under the left hand engine intake. This aircraft was at Eskisehir minus those markings, but it had gained a Shark’s Mouth! © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
The same aircraft with an EL/L-8222 ECM pod under the right hand engine intake © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Marked for the 60th Anniversary of the F-4, Konya 2019, with a Pave Spike pod under the left hand engine intake © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
The aircraft have been modified over the years and the most significant upgrade started in January 1997, which saw 54 modified to F-4E-2020 Terminator standard. This modification was based on the Israeli Kurnass 2000 upgrade and featured significant avionics upgrades, including Multi Function Displays (MFDs), a Head Up Display (HUD) and a Hands on Throttle-and-Stick (HOTAS) system. Other capabilities included an Elta EL/L-8222 Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) pod and the ability to carry the AN/ASQ-153 Pave Spike targeting pod.
This one wears a 171 Filo badge on the intake and is carrying an EL/L-8222 ECM pod under the left hand engine intake, and an AGM-54 Maverick training round under the left inner pylon. Seen at Konya in 2016 © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Ordnance wise, they are capable of deploying the AGM-142 Popeye, AGM-65D/G Maverick, AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation missiles, GBU-8 Homing Bomb System, GBU-10/12 Paveway II Laser Guided Bombs as well as AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
Roughly half the aircraft were modified in Israel, the remainder had the work done in Turkey. The first upgraded aircraft entered service on 27th January 2000 and serving with 111 and 171 Filos.
This is one of a handful of former USAF F-4Es converted to Terminator standard, Konya 2016 © Chris Wood – Global Aviation Resource
Turkey is one of three nations still flying the venerable F-4 Phantom, along with Greece and Iran. It is currently expected that the last remaining Turkish aircraft will stay in service until 2030.
