VX-30 QF-4S "Bloodhound 111" in the static display area at the 2000 Miramar show

"BLOODHOUND 108" QF-4S with VX-30. Aircraft was struck off charge on September 7 2004.

QF-4S from Pt Mugu sits in the 2001 Van Nuys static line

QF-4S 126 of VX-30 taxis back to it's parking location and everything looks peaceful. However, moments before this shot QF-4S 155749/124 was lost along with it's crew in a tragic crash while recovering to land.

One of two aircraft on display in Point Mugu's "Missile Park". It doesn't show but this Phantom was placed on display here 18 years earlier, in Oct 1992.

This former US Marine Corps F-4S was converted to QF-4S at NAD Cherry Point from April 1992. It was most probably shot down over the Pacific Missile Test Range by late 2003. Here the manned full scale aerial target is seen at home base Point Mugu (CA) where is was assigned to the Naval Weapons Test Squadron.

This Phantom II belonged to the Naval Weapons Test Squadron Point Mugu (NWTSPM) and was converted from US Marine Corps F-4S to full scale aerial target for the US Navy. This job was done at NAD Cherry Point (NC) from April 1997. The aircraft was first noted operational as F-4S in March 1998). The rear ejection seat was removed and the aircraft was flown several times by a single pilot over the Pacific Missile Test range. Many QF-4S' were shot down, but 104 was scrapped at home base Point Mugu, as one of the last VX-30 Bloudhounds US Navy Phantoms in the Fall of 2004.

QF-4S NWTSPM just about ready to taxi out to fly at the 2002 Pt Mugu show. Sadly, after the overhead break to land as the trail ship of a 4 plane formation, this Phantom was lost along with the crew. Amazing how fast things can wrong in what seemed like a routine flying procedure. Made for a very sad rest of the day as the show ended and everyone was told to leave.