Charlotte Airport Overlook - F-4S Phantom II

A nicely restored McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II is on display in one corner of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s new overlook.

This aircraft is on loan to CLT Airport from the U.S. Navy. A search was conducted to find a suitable Phantom for the overlook. They found an available jet at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California. A crew was set to disassemble the jet to prepare it for transit. Once taken apart, they discovered it was in bad shape. After shipping it across the country, a restoration team rebuilt the frame because it was falling apart.

The F-4 Phantom II was painted to represent the VF-84 Jolly Rogers squadron. Their insignia features the iconic skull and crossbones. The livery honors Oceana in Virginia, the Naval Air Station closest to Charlotte that flew the Phantom jets.

The two names painted on the side of the cockpit hold special meanings. Cmdr. Glen Lenox was the last commanding officer over that unit when they flew F-4s; Lt. Junior Grade J.D. Moorhead was the radar intercept officer.

16Jul24

North Carolina Air National Guard

A North American F-86L SABRE (52-4142 / Construction Number 190-545, US AIR FORCE) on a pole sitting outside the entrance gate at North Carolina’s Air National Guard base at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Nicknamed the “Sabre Dog”, this All-Weather Jet Interceptor was an improved development of the original F-86 Sabre of Korean War fame. The addition of the black nose cone was for the installation of the radar array.

16Jul24

U.S. Navy North American T-28B Trojan

City of Milton, Florida

Driving through the city of Milton, Florida I came across this U.S. Navy North American T-28B Trojan displayed outside of Milton High School. The city of Milton is the home to NAS Whiting Field and this aircraft is placed here in honor of that Air Station.

These photos were taken in a rain shower with a hat covering the camera from the precipition. The Trojan has been sitting outside for some time as evidenced by the faded nature of the naval training squadron paint scheme.

05Nov24

U.S. Navy Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor

Brewton Municipal Airport - Alabama

Driving through South Alabama I came across this U.S. Navy Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor displayed on a pole at the Brewton Municipal Airport. These photos were taken through the car window due to the heavy downpour of rain outside. It would appear the Turbo Mentor may be in need of some repair to its partially detached rudder.

05Nov24

Middlesboro Bell County Airport

A few years after the departure of the restored P-38 Glacier Girl from Middlesboro, KY, I found myself passing through the area and decided to stop by the airport for a look around. No signs of Glacier Girl having been there were visible outside. But the North American F-86H-10-NH Sabre (53-1361) and M60 Main Battle Tank that were there for all those years were still standing on guard duty.

11Oct18