MCAS El Toro & the LAST RF4B Phantom to leave the base!

[neckintube]

was nice to see some footage of the old base..was hoping to see if my murals were still on the hanger @ P-3 metal shop and on the bay doors ,the 12 ft. phantom man..good memories, 1979-83, was medically retired in 89 Sgt Smith J.D. ..miss those days...semper fi !

[ColtDeltaElite10mm]

Awesome video!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing and thank you for your years if service to the Corps and to America!

[UXAQ]

Why does it say santa ana? Isn't mcas tustin closer to santa ana than the el toro base?

[raysot]

What? You mean the AN/ASM-92 INS system was unreliable? Those pilots knew how to gripe the INS... Pull full vertical, roll 360 degrees, then gripe the plane for "Dumped INS"... hides every pilot error :-)

Great to see this footage.. Thank you!

[vmf31]

great video..we need more of these so that people don't forget....

[Pitpointer]

F-4 the best ever

[demonwarpchild]

Excellent video, Semper Fi Devil Dog!!!! I remember the day I left MCAS El Toro in 98. I still have lots of memories and nothing but good times there. OOOHRAH

[PhantomsPhorever1]

There used to be a metal sign under that RF's nose. After my last flight in the T-34 in 1998 as they shut down the aero club, I stopped by to see one of the old birds. The sign was laying face down on the pavement under the plane. That sign is now in my hangar in Boca Raton with my RV-6. SemperFly

[caseyjones2222]

Nice video Top!

[gep0368]

Great video Top, I was H&MS/Mals-11 Power Plants 1986-1992.

[jasfromoz]

@gep0368

Hey, I was in MALS-11 powerplants, 41L from 90-92.

[KBay84]

Awesome memories. When I was based at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, I put alot of sweat and blood into fixing the J-79's. I was stationed at H&MS-11/MALS-11 from '87-'97, closed down and moved Power Plants/Test Cell to Miramar. I do miss the Phantoms, of all the A/C engines I've worked on in my 22 years.

Semper Fi!

[ifuckedyourmomandsis]

nice video of an awsome aircraft. thank you for sharing it with us.

[magicmike1122]

i flew my fpv easystar over the base yesterday. check out my videos

[johncirri]

Thanks Dave, Nice Vid.

[7sinscustoms]

I had the honor of being a dependant on El Toro MCAS from 1988-1992 when we then moved to Tustin, I miss the togetherness of friends that were on base.thanks for your service

[ronvera]

I took your advice and went down to Miramar to visit the Flying Leatherneck Museum. Great collection of planes. Old #6 needs a little paint though . I was in VMFP3 Det 3.

[Redeagle52000]

It's amazing to think that this is where Air Force One and Marine One were kept 1969--1974 for President Nixon (for the nearby Western White House in San Clemente), Also, when he passed away, the same 707 he used as Air Force One brought his remains and family back to California here in 1994. Would be nice to see some videos of that, perhaps news footage from the Nixon Presidency.

[Flackvest]

Cool vid. Never served, but visited MCAS EL Toro in the 80's when in the NJROTC. Made a lasting impression on me. I gotta tell a firefighter I work with about this video. He was assigned to VMFP-3 and did one cruise on the Midway in 79. Again, good Vid!

[TheBri61]

Thanks for sharing this. I was a cook in that messhall. I was there for parts of 81-82. great duty station.

[wilburhog]

The F-4 is missed... Long Live the F-4 Phantom ! ! !

[bnaguy]

El Toro was the best ! Two tours, in 75 and again in 78. Launch and Recovery with many a night sleeping on the edge of 34R. Visted Southern Cali in 2005 and saw what is left of the base. It made me sad.

Thanks for video Top ! It brought back great memories!

Semper Fi

[airbrushgunner]

What a nice walk down memory lane. I got there in Feb of 84 and left when they pushed the last Rhino out the door. Greatest time of my life. 4 west pacs including a back to back on the last two rotations P-3 was on. I got to close up shop for the phantoms twice in my career. I made my home in metal shop and after P-3 retired went to MALS-11. I ran the paint shop there and then went to NDI. I was also responsible for the new logo for MALS-11 the DEVIL FISH. Semper Fi

[tdrommond]

Were you in the Metal shop with Gunny Pierre?

[airbrushgunner]

Gunny Pierre was one of my bosses. SSgt Posse was one also. Kevin Marin was there as well. I endede my carreer there as the NCOIC of Night Crew. ANCOIC over all.

[tdrommond]

I worked for SSgt Posey, too. I was the airframes clerk for Gunny Pierre and Gunny Lowe.

I worked nights for Steve Irwin when I arrived. Worked for SSgt Marquette in Corrosion Control, too. I helped paint the '59 Caddy the Lt. drove. Phantoms Phorever

[airbrushgunner]

I remember Steve. I just remembered Gunny Pierre, he was there when I first got there. SSgt Marquette rings a bell. I was the ancoic of CC when I came back from Iwakuni towards the end.

[7sinscustoms]

Master Gunny Hodson is my father

[7sinscustoms]

Do you know Top Hodson? He's my dad.thanks

[mundymanor]

Wow. I'm going to send my dad this clip along with the Midway clip. They decomissioned my memories along with the base. :-(

I just dug out all the home movies of Dad taking off the Midway in his F-4 Phantom in the mid 70's. He once told me the night landings were scary. He is in India flying at the moment, but said next year he will take us back there to look around, and see the Midway museum. My kids are thrilled and they enjoy your videos.

Thanks much.

[WarbirdFactory]

Great walkaround footage ! I have been building for months on my 1/48 scale RF-4B. A Hasegawa kit with a complete resin cockpit camera bay, wheelbays, nozzles etc. Soon I will Youtube it.

Thanks for this great vid !

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks kindly. I have an RF4B rc jet I did a product review on in my archives and wished it was an RF4b, for sure. I will look forward to seeing your video, so make sure to send it to me. Good luck, happy flying, and Semper Fi.

[WarbirdFactory]

Thanks for your reply! I have just finished my 1/48 scale RF-4B. Let me have your e-mail to post you some photos. Cheers BoB - warbirds [dot] eu

[intheflesh714]

Id love to fly jets its been my dream since I was a kid. Right now, I been thinking about joining the air force but I understand its pretty difficult to become a pilot because everyones trying to be one?

[NightFlyyer]

Navy and Marine aviation, and airforce all have opening. If you want something bad enough, you can achieve it. Just because there are lots of people wanting to fly, doesn't mean you should not pursue your dream. Many people want to fly rc airplanes too, but the only way to know for sure if you can is to set the goal and go for it. Good luck.

[BoHica1962]

Who remembers "Worlds Greatest GSE"?

Great times at MCAS ElToro H&MS-11

81-93

[NightFlyyer]

Semper Fi. Ground support? Never heard of them! LOL.

You guys were the best!

[TheLastMolecule]

I seen your small comment on this page and had to comment back. I was in H&MS-11 in 82-86 and lived in barracks 450 after it was rebuilt. Also born in 62, I assume by your YT name. Small world.

[goliath661]

Brings back some good memories, Comm Squadron 38, I was in Barracks 666 from 97 until the Miramar move. I miss El Toro.

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks and Semper Fi to you.

[tommyemiliano]

@goliath661 I was with MWCS-38, Det B radio and the H&HS between 96 till the move to Miramar. I lived in Barracks 666, and the Castle (other side of the chow hall)

[goliath661]

@tommyemiliano Det A Wire, from the end of 97 through the Miramar move until they sent me to Okinawa for my last year.

[spookyfish1112]

master sargent. my name is mark hill. I had the pleasure to be stationed there from 83-88. I was in P-3s metal shop with gunny lambier if I remember correctly. I stayed with squadron level for about 6mo. I was not ready for that yet, so they sent me up to I level for te rest of my tour. h&ms-11 airfraimes. My best friend was up in avionics at hams 11. His name is james epke and my other friend sheryl cadwell.

[NightFlyyer]

Hello and thanks for serving. Seen my Ride of my life video? There are a few old stills from P3 in there that flash by quick. I know the name Epke, but the others, not sure. Kinda familiar... but us twidgets, you know. LOL.

Semper Fi Mark.

[seanmurray90]

my dad worked in the officers club,. i used 2 sleep on base with his some nights. best memories ever.

[NightFlyyer]

Cool. Thanks.

[phanFXR]

Awesome vid brought back lots of memories I was stationed at El Toro 1985-88 with VMFP-3 and H&MS -11.

 Thanks for the video ,"Top". Semper Fi

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks kindly for your service. I am glad you got some memories. Have you checked out RF4Bphantom(.)com?

Semper Fi to you too.

[steve2668467]

I kick ass video loved the phantom true work horse

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks kindly. It sure was.

[steveoflyz]

i worked on the base this summer. it's horrible to see it in the condition it is in now, especially after having so many great memories at the airshows there when i was growing up.

great vid

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks. Your so right. I left there 3 years ago and used to sell my Plastic Protector to the Golf Course, which was the last surviving business there, and I know it looks depressing. The airshows were great.

[NastyNatey]

I had a laugh about those fire detect wires. They outfitted the new AH-1Z & UH-1Y with these harnesses, and yes, they still break! makes me miss working on the ch-53e, which had infrared sensors. Semper Fi!

[NightFlyyer]

Haha. WOW, IR sensors. That is interesting. Thanks for the comments and Ooorah!

[BigRickSharpe]

Outstanding video, it also made me miss being on base etc. nuthin like it in the whole dang world Sarge!

Thank's

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks for the comments and for serving.

[BigRickSharpe]

Since I was a youngster i always did like the Phantom airships!

[BigRickSharpe]

If I ever get to retire lol I hope to get a road trip in with ya on the ol Goldwing, would really like to get to that Base!

[NightFlyyer]

Yes, but sadly the base is closed now for good. You would have to go down to Miramar to see the Museum and this plane, which is not that much futher south. That would be fun.

[BigRickSharpe]

In some ways, I am like yourself, perhaps not has brillant,(shoulda stayed in the books more) but always wanting to learn new skills, I am blessed to have served in the Military, kinda wish I were still in there, but life goes ahead!

Now moving into Scale Heli scares me a bit. Well my friend, Hv a great day and thank's! ps: the guy giving me the Chopper is Roy, He's a Vet and has some great pic's on scalehelis.

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks both for your service and comments.

[MatadorVsPolevaulter]

Hello Dave, I left you a PM, thanks for posting this video. I was stationed in El Toro from 82-86 and lived in barraks 450.

I was in VMFA- 323, and saw Phantoms from VMFP-3 almost every day. Thanks again.

[NightFlyyer]

WOW. Great. Thanks for serving and Semper Fi, Marine.

[DirteyApe]

thanks for posting again good work

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly.

[Doc300ZX]

Great video, was good to see a RF again, dam it brings back memories!

Cpl

VMFP-3

Photo Line

81-85

[NightFlyyer]

Ahhhh, you found it. LOL Great. Semper Fi

[DirteyApe]

i watched a documentry a wile ago on how the f4 somehow launched a live missle off the deck of a carrier killing like 4 guys or something, it was because or some static interfearence set the pin off because some small cover wasent on or it armed by it self but yea this is good video thanks

[treff81]

Love your videos.

Semper Fi

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much. Semper Fi to you too.

[codyschuyler]

o i forgot to mention i was talking about young marines

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly.

[codyschuyler]

im not sure if i was stationed here or tustin mcas but i think i went through boot camp there

[NightFlyyer]

Boot camp was in San Diego. MCAS Tustin was heli base and this is El toro Jet base, where the museum was, but of course all gone now. Semper Fi.

[noogie13]

You have my favorite videos on youtube!

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much.  I appreciate that.

[MadMax0318]

Great video Dave....bet it brought back some great memories...priceless.

Semper Fi !

MadMax0318

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly and Semper Fi to you also. I appreciate it.

[RadioMaster08]

Very Cool

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much.

[jbs127845]

that was great!!

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much.

[halo3747747]

have you goten an rc car yet

[NightFlyyer]

Been there years ago, but I ruined more cars than helis, so kinda backed off them for the helis.

[wbobradio]

Hi Dave: Great memory shot there, seeing my old camera bays empty is a blast from the past. I still have number 610 hanging on the wall in my office, I took a break from Dubie Allen and worked with the boys in skin shop. I did the shield and Eagle Globe and Anchor on the tail with photo emulsion film cut-outs and spray paint on the Midway, Det II, 1976. The best days with P-3.  Semper Fi .. . . . Bacon

[NightFlyyer]

WOW. Fantastic. I know you too. Did you see my USS Midway Tribute video? It was all shot on Det III. You must've rotated back when I went over. Semper Fi and stay tuned to see the part II Museum video, coming soon. Thanks for the comments.

[Winston51249]

Excellent taste of history. Very enjoyable to watch! 5*!!!

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks Jeff. I appreciate that.

[d123o123g123]

army

[SpecialSause2]

thank you for your service to this country

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly. I appreciate that.

[rstpete]

Wonderful peice of history there Master Sargent. From the ground looking up waiting for salvation the birds looked beautiful and always did an amazing job.

Trying to look through the jungle canopy it was always scarey hearing them come in even though we knew they were our salvation.

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks you very much. I appreciate your comments and your service.

[NightFlyyer]

No longer in California, but I knew some people from that Club. I flew Bill Evan's Aircraft Xwings in the Multi Wing Nationals, as he was sponsoring me then. If you know him, say Hi for me.. I would love to meet you too. You never know, you know...

[mouselg]

Thanks Dave,I have never seen such a close up video of american jet.

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly. Stay Tuned for Part II.

[ilikepollo79]

Semper Fi Dave!

[NightFlyyer]

Semper Fi to you also. Thank you.

[junglist278]

where there really jets flying overhead the whole time or was that a sample looped over and over? nice phatom though, shes a beaut

[NightFlyyer]

There was nothing uncut, and there were very few planes at El Toro in 1996, as the base was being closed. Those were clouds or contrails from OC airport which is not far from El Toro.

Glad you liked the plane. Stay Tuned for Part II.

Thanks.

[bratonabike]

really the last one!? how did u find it?

[NightFlyyer]

It was the last one to leave El Toro. There were very few of the RF's in the entire Marine corps from the beginning, so they became rare as time went on. The museum's planes were the last to leave, when we moved the base to Miramar. All the other RF4B's were replaced in the 80's. with newer stuff.

[saleebymen]

yeah!!! F-4 Phantom!

[NightFlyyer]

OOOOOhRaaaah.

[brklynjohn1294]

Cool! iv'e only gotten close to an aircraft Once in my life... and im 14 XD

[NightFlyyer]

Well, you have lots of time to get closer now, so take a look and enjoy all flying machines.

[davidfx16gts]

Love the video!

[NightFlyyer]

Thank you very much.

[billgetsmail1]

id love to see you get your hands on one of those old helicopters and fix it up.

[NightFlyyer]

Oh gosh, how many times have I said that to myself too when I would go out there and look at them.

[thehilitereel]

When did you retire from the military Dave?

[NightFlyyer]

1996

[500lbkoolaidman]

Definitely looking forward to the helicopter part 2

[NightFlyyer]

Its in work, stay tuned. Thanks.

[ElroyHarvey]

Awesome vid, did you ever get to take a ride in those RF4B's Dave?

[ElroyHarvey]

Ooops sorry i typed this comment before it got to the end lol I saw you now in your flying gear before your first flight :)

[NightFlyyer]

Haha. No problem.

[NightFlyyer]

Yes, what a thrill.

[RichardWhelan82]

Why would you vent fuel out the flaps thingy?

[ssrc30]

That's classified..........lol:P

[BrandonR318]

More than likely becaue you wouldn't want to land on a carrier with a full load of fuel.

[NightFlyyer]

Well said.

[NightFlyyer]

In case of an emergency, just like passenger planes dump fuel, it they have to land.. BrandonR318 hit it on the head too.

[ssrc30]

Awesome video. Gotta love seeing history. What were you driving dave?

5/5

[qsecgtyhd]

looks like an el camino with a shell on it

[ssrc30]

Yes it does now that i got a better look at it.

[NightFlyyer]

Correct.

[qsecgtyhd]

awesome...knew my autos bettrer than i thought :)

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very much. That's My 81 El Camino.

[Trivon90]

Great Video

[NightFlyyer]

Thanks very kindly.

[panglongyui]

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