The Film “Once a Thunderbird” Captures the Team’s Days of Maximum Thunder and Power
McDonnell Douglas and the United States Air Force (USAF) produced the film “Once a Thunderbird” during the early 1970s, when the team was flying the Phabulous McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II. When The Thunderbirds transitioned to the F-4E in 1969 changes to the show routine were required to keep the performance close to show center because the F-4Es were so much more powerful than the Team’s previous mount, the North American F-100D Super Saber. White polyurethane paint was adopted in order to give the F-4Es an appealing, uniform color. Enjoy this look at the power of The Thunderbirds Phlying their F-4E Phantom IIs uploaded to YouTube by PeriscopeFilm.
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Thunderbirds F-4s were short-lived
The Thunderbirds only flew the F-4E for four seasons between 1969 and 1973. They transitioned to the Northrop T-38 Talon next. The team first flew straight-winged Republic F-84G Thunderjets, followed by swept-winged Republic F-84F Thunderstreaks. North American F-100C Super Sabers were the Team’s next jets, followed by a short stint in Republic F-105B Thunderchiefs before switching back to F-100s, albeit the D model. After their days in the F-4E and T-38 the team transitioned to the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, which they still fly today.
Had the pleasure of seeing the Thunderbirds perform in the F-4s at Richards-Gebaur AFB, MO, in 1973. Although they are always impressive, the substitution of the T-38 for the F-4, although certainly rational, lacked a certain level of excitement…
1958 to 1959 I was assigned to Nellis Air Force base as a fire fighter, assigned to crash rescue. During during flight activity hours the fire department would assign a fire truck out to the middle taxiway between the two active runways. We would watch the Thunderbirds, flying F-100s, come in formation and land. Beautiful sight. After getting back to our route, the 8 Ball, flying low to the ground with gear up, flats up and tail pipe aflame come screaming over the airport fence. I know the tower people would be peeing them selves laughing so hard watching 4 firemen leaping out of that fire truck as the jet passed over our heads and then scream for altitude. It would take a moment for us to regroup and gain our composure.
We invited the Thunderbirds to have a meal with us and play a hot game of volley ball at the station house. No takers. We had our jets ready in the form of a volleyball.
Thanks for the vid. Finally, a good close shot of #4 early in the show year when the tail wasn’t solidly caked with soot, and the markings clearly visible. I’ve been looking for an example of that to model.