Low-Level (Valley Passage) in Turkey  Elephant walk and displays

50th Anniversary Turkish Air Force of F-4 Phantom 1st Main Jet Base, Eskisehir Turkey November 16 to 17, 2024

50th Anniversary of the introduction of the Turkish Air Force F-4 Phantom The Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri - THK) organised a two day event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the McDonnell F-4E Phantom II in Turkish service. The event invitation described a "Valley Passage" for the first day (November 16) and F-4E Phantom flying displays ending with an "Elephant Walk" on the second day to be held at the 1st Main Jet Base, Eskisehir. The "Valley Passage" turned out to be an unprecedented low level flying demonstration flown through a mountain valley, 2.5 driving hours east from Eskisehir. The precise location was revealed to the invitees (media and spotters) just a few days, a narrow steep-sided valley and reservoir, with the suggestion that the low flying could by curtailed due to poor weather. On the day, the only communication received by the photographers clinging to the hillside was that the flying could be between 12:00 and 16:00. The weather was not good at all at the start of the day, but by noon their were signed of improvement. As there had not been a cancellation by then I was optimistic that it would all go ahead, which indeed it did. From 15:15 for 30 minutes, two F-4E-2020 Phantoms flew breath takingly close low level passes that would have impressed all the low level hardened photographers. I abandoned my large 400mm telephoto lens were in favour of my shorter 70-200mm zoom lens necessary to capture these fast flying jets full frame.

Left to right: McDonnell Douglas F-4E-2020 Phantom II (77-0303) with 111 Filo in a special 50th Anniversary scheme which incidentally did not include re-painting the aircraft's serial on the jet. On the port of the tail is; '1974-50-2024' and 'Phantom Phorever' with the 111 Filo's 'Panterler' (Panther) emblem. '50 Years' on the fuel tank. The Starboard side has; Kemal Atatürk’s 'Istikbal Göklerdedir' (The future is in the sky). Kemal Atatürk's signature 'K.Ataturk' is only on the starboard intake. '50.Yil' (50 Years) on the fuel tank. The undersides are painted; 'Phantom Phorever' with the Phantom II 'Spook'.

The lead jet, attractively painted in a special 50th Anniversary scheme, was followed a minute behind by a grey 111 Filo (Squadron) jet. The pair were to make eleven passes each, three from the west and eight from the east before they pulled up to make their short flight to base. Each pass was to a different line, all low, some so close that photography was almost impossible. Other passes left a wake along the lake water hundreds of feet below. The low flying had been rehearsed ten days or so earlier, but those passes were reported as much more within low flying limits.

F-4E-2020 Phantom II (73-1052) in the standard 111 Filo paint scheme.

Day 2 Sunday (November 17) was advertised as two flying displays followed by an "Elephant Walk". The entire day was affected by low cloud which remarkably did not cause the flying displays to be cancelled, the only downside was the grey skies which adversely affected photography. However, photographers were allowed to stand so close to the runway the disappointing dullness of the day was soon forgotten when the action started.

F-4E-2020 Phantom II (77-0303) with 111 Filo takes the lead for the ten aircraft "Elephant Walk".

50 years of Phantoms in Turkey The initial THK order 'Peace Diamond' was for 40 new build F-4Es and eight RF-4Es the first two of which arrived on August 30, 1974 (serials 73-1016 and 73-1017). A further 40 F-4Es arrived in 1987. A subsequent order followed for an additional 40 former US Air National Guard F-4Es from the storage centre at Davis-Monthan. 32 former West German Air Force RF-4Es (retired in 1993) completed the fleet, 13 of which were used for spares enabling the type to complete 50 years of service so far. The RF-4E reconnaissance version continued to fly until March 12, 2015, retired prematurely after multiple fatal crashes earlier in the year and subsequent suspension to flying operations.

Left to right: F-4E-2020 Phantom II (77-0278) with 111 Filo the 'Panterler' (Panthers) in the "Elephant Walk". F-4E-2020 Phantom II (73-1046) rolling out after landing with chute deployed. 111 Filo F-4E-2020 Phantom IIs (73-1052 with 77-0278) during early afternoon four ship display. F-4E-2020 Phantom II (73-1048) with 111 Filo showing off its shark-mouth motif originally applied to 112 'Seytan' Filo's F-4Es until their disbandment in 2015.

A modernised Phantom, fit for the new century Known as F-4E-2020 Terminators, due to a huge upgrade program, started to enter service on January 27, 2000 with 111 and 171 Filo (until 2016). The Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) supplied the upgrades based on the Kurnass 2000 that had been developed for the Israeli Air Force. It consisted an updated avionics suite, including multifunction displays (MFDs). Modern technologies in the suite include; the new Kaiser El-OP 976 wide-angle HUD (head-up display) and HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) system, high performance ISAR-capable high-resolution SAR/GMTI (ground moving target indicator) multi-mode fire control radar, mission computer, new navigation equipment including GPS/INS. New UHF and IFF packages, airborne video tape recorder (AVTR), ECM (electronic counter-measures) pod and a RWR (radar warning receiver). They also have new attachment fittings to suite better modern weaponry, replacement wiring with new hydraulic and pneumatic lines and hoses. Airframe life was extended to 6,000 flight hours. The F-4E-2020 could now utilise the latest weapon systems, such as AGM-142 Popeye/Have Nap integration with Litening-II targeting pods, AGM-65D/G Maverick, AGM-88 HARM, GBU-8 HOBOS, GBU-10 and GBU-12 Paveway II LGBs, general purpose, and cluster bombs for air-to-ground missions. They retained their capability to launch AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. 16 older F-4Es were upgraded with air-to-ground targeting upgrades and improved navigation and communications kit, supplied by Turkish aerospace company Aselsan from 2006 under the 'Simsek' (Lightning) program. The F-4E-TMs (Turkish Modernisation) were delivered from 2010 to 112 Filo. Of the of 54 F-4E-2020 Phantoms upgraded by IAI (26) and 1st Air Supply and Maintenance Centre of the Turkish Air Force located in Eskisehir using 28 kits, it was hoped that over 30 aircraft would remain service until at least 2030. Today it is thought that around 20 are still in service with 111 Filo and the two with the test and trial squadron 401 Filo.

F-4E-2020 Phantom IIs (77-0303 and 73-1046) at the end of the display taxying back to join eight others at the other end of the runway for the final "Elephant Walk".