McDonnell Douglas QF-4E Phantom II with brake chute.
This is the McDonnell Douglas QF-4E Phantom II of 82 ATRS TD (Tyndall Air Force Base), registration AF 74-1638.
The QF-4 is a remotely piloted aircraft that serves as a target and simulates maneuvers of enemy aircraft. The aircraft can be flown by remote control or with a pilot to control performance. The QF-4 is flown unmanned when missiles are fired at it. This occurs only in a special area over the sea. When flown unmanned, an explosive is placed in the aircraft to destroy it if it accidentally becomes uncontrollable.
This photo was taken Nov. 12, 2016 during the Aviation Nation Airshow at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas.
This aircraft was 1 of the last flight-worthy QF-4s and was retired from service after this photo was taken on Dec. 21, 2016. Today, discarded F-16s (QF-16) are used for the role of target aircraft.
I am Jaap van den Berg and photography has become a great passion of mine since 2010. Since then I travel all over the world to take pictures of military aircrafts. But besides aircraft I also love to photograph other subjects like landscapes, architecture, flowers, animals, .. Read more…
Germany
Germany
Netherlands
Germany
Germany
Netherlands
Germany
Netherlands
Netherlands
Germany
Netherlands
Germany