Test Support Phantom: 63-7654

[Old Viper Tester]

F-4C 63-7654, 6512th Test Squadron, 6510th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB. '654 was a dedicated pacer aircraft at Edwards in the 1980s. Meaning she had test aircraft fly close formation with her such that the test jet would record airpeed and altitude data for comparison with '654's data. '654 carried 'sensitive' air data instrumentation in her nose, in the radar racks. The calibrated nose probe for pacer flights was integrated into a separate F-4C radome. When not serving as a pacer, the standard radome was installed. For pacer missions, the radome with the calibrated nose probe was installed; connecting the air data lines to the instrumentation and then closing up the pacer radome.

 

October 1984. Being used as a munitions jamming demonstration airframe at the Edwards AFB open house. Standard radome installed.

 

March 1985, on the Edwards flight line with standard radome installed.

 

September 1990, making a tour fly-by run over the Rogers Dry Lake. Pacer probe fitted.

 

October 1991. Pacer probe fitted.

 

November 1991. Pacer probe fitted and a "high-speed" centerline external fuel tank and wing pylons. Either the tank or the radome will have to be removed before her next mission. The pacer probe and data system were calibrated for a clean aircraft (wing pylons alone were okay). Kind of unusual to see the outer wing pylons without external fuel tanks.

 

Thanks for looking,

Sven

Old Viper Tester

[jonf45]

what an absolute beast!! great shots 👍

 

Jon