These are Richard Keyt’s pictures taken while he was a member of the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron while TYD from Kunsan Air Base, Korea, to Korat Air Base, Thailand in 1972.
Click on the first photo to enlarge it. You many then click on the >> or << symbols to move forward or backwards in picture viewer.
![f-4e-drone-killer](https://www.f-4phantom.com/wp-content/gallery/keyt/f-4e-drone-killer.jpg "We wrote \\"Drone Killer\\" on the side of this airplane for the trip back to George Air Force Base, California, after the crew successfully engaged and killed a straight and level drone during a training mission at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida in 1975.")
I was flying with Jim that day. I remember that day still with Jim when he “gunned” down that Mig. I saw the Migs below us and told Jim. He told me to keep looking behind us while diving down. Joe was right it was a high angle shot. Jim did not save any 20mm.
The rumors about the plane not flying again just because we went thru a Mach Tuck is not true. I still have the picture of us sitting on the jet in a hangar later that week. Jim is a true fighter and will be greatly missed by all.
Pretty cool pictures. Just last week my family (wife and two babies, no more!) were in San Diego and visited the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. I learned how they launch the planes in just 7 minutes. The guide told us that everything he mentioned in those 7 minutes it happens in 45 seconds! They lauched planes every 45 seconds!
In the photo of you in front of the F4E with your hand on the Sidewinder… A/C’s tail number is JJ369. Did you happen to know Rusty Sellers? I know he flew JJ369 and supposedly had his name under the front seat canopy.
I did not know Rusty. At Korat Air Base in 1972 we did not usually fly the same airplane. We flew whatever they told us was armed appropriately and ready to fly.
Did you ever run into Lt Col John Hardy? He retired in 1976 but one of his last assignments had something to do with F-4s and Iran – when he died I found an old passport of his with an Iranian stamp. I think he helped train the Iranian pilots for the new f-4’s but maybe he only helped ferry planes over.
I do not remember John Hardy. I ferried two brand new F-4s from the factory in St. Louis to Iran around 1975 – 76. Both times four crews from George AFB took four airplanes to Madrid then Tehran.
Richard, do you remember Bill Jenkins? He flew F-4s at Korat from August 1972 until approximately July of 1973. I was his wife at the time living in Bangkok. In particular I am looking for photgraphs.
emily roth