McDONNELL F-4E-39-MC “PHANTOM II”        68-0433                  32nd T.F.S./17th A.F.                   U.S.A.F.E.                                         Soesterberg, Tuesday March 2, 1971.

This was one of  the last opportunities  to photograph the ‘433’, because on Monday,  June 21  1971 this machine crashed into the ground near

Maurik,  killing both pilots. Maybe the accident was caused by P.I.O. (Pilot Induced Oscilation).   Already approaching Soesterberg Air Base (coming

from Ramstein Germany) ‘433’ first made an overshoot before describing a large circle  on low altitude, after which it should land definitively at

Soesterberg A.B. But then over Maurik near Utrecht, it met a swarm of birds. The pilot then probably overreacted, in trying to avoid a collision and

lost control over the machine. The F-4E flew itself upside down into the ground.

McDONNELL F-4E-39--MC “PHANTOM II”           68-0440            32nd T.F.S./17th A.F.                U.S.A.F.E.                                            Soesterberg,  Tuesday May 30, 1972.

By mid 1972, the F-4E’s of the 32nd T.F.S. had received some new features.     They were equipped with new fire-extinquishers for the nose-gun,

but at the same time they also received low voltage variable luminous strips on the fuselage, nose and tail for more safety at night-flight missions.

We’re looking at F-4E ‘440’ heading for the runway in a short moment of sunshine before it started to rain.                          

                                                                                                                                                                                 Photos: C. Vermolen.