Phantom Thunder McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II by Michael Rondot Limited Edition of 500 Signed Print

Description

There are few aircraft even today that can match the sheer power and brute performance of the F-4 Phantom, portrayed here on a breathtaking low level, high-speed ‘lake burner run’ at Pyramid Lake in the Nevada Desert.

The F-4 Phantom was one of the most versatile fighters ever built and is regarded by many as the best combat aircraft of its generation. The RF-4C recce model carried a comprehensive suite of cameras giving a low, medium and high-level photo-reconaissance capability. Although unarmed for most of its career, the RF-4Cs of the Alabama, Nevada and RF-4 Fighter Weapons School were modified to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder Air to Air Missile. These modernized RF-4Cs of the Alabama and Nevada Air National Guard extensively participated in the Gulf War with the FANGOs of the 192nd TRS, Nevada Air Guard.
The aircraft in the painting is RF-4C 005 “Balls Five”, flown by one of the 192nd TRS FANGO pilots with the artist in the rear seat, just below Mach:1.0 and just below thirty feet over Pyramid Lake.
There was trouble a few years later after film emerged on the web of a Phantom doing something very similar on a different occasion. Hence the subtitle – “Never been there, Never done that”.
But a lot of F-4 people have, and they do have the T-Shirt and vivid memories of a fantastic aircraft.

Signatures: Artist signed

Limited Edition of 500

Print Size: 70cm x 50cm

Each print is accompanied with a matching numbered certificate of authenticity.