Phantom Thunder by Michael Rondot features Phantom RF-4Cs at low level.

There are few aircraft even today that can match the sheer power and brute performance of the F-4 Phantom, portrayed here on a breath taking low level, high-speed ‘lake burner run’ at Pyramid Lake in the Nevada Desert.

The F-4 Phantom was one of the most versatile fighters ever built and is regarded by many as the best combat aircraft of its generation. The RF-4C recce model carried a comprehensive suite of cameras giving a low, medium and high-level photo-reconnaissance capability. Although unarmed for most of its career, the RF-4Cs of the Alabama, Nevada and RF-4 Fighter Weapons School were modified to carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder Air to Air Missile. These modernized RF-4Cs of the Alabama and Nevada Air National Guard extensively participated in the Gulf War with the FANGOs of the 192nd TRS, Nevada Air Guard.

The aircraft in the painting is RF-4C 005 "Balls Five", flown by one of the 192nd TRS FANGO pilots with the artist in the rear seat, just below Mach:1.0 and just below thirty feet over Pyramid Lake. There was trouble a few years later after film emerged on the web of a Phantom doing something very similar on a different occasion. Hence the subtitle - "Never been there, Never done that". But a lot of F-4 people have, and they do have the T-Shirt and vivid memories of a fantastic aircraft.

Condition: this print is a small crease in its right hand border area caused by being mis-handled at some point. The affected area is about 2 cm and its about 2 cm out from the image area, meaning it would be easily hidden by framing. Otherwise the print is in mint condition, having been stored flat and dark and never having been framed. It includes the original Certificate of Authenticity. The fault would be difficult to show in a photograph - however the print is covered by our 'No Quibble Guarantee' so if its not as you expected you can return it for a full refund.

Normal Price £75.