USAF F-4 Question - Folded Wings

[John1]

I’ll be building a Vietnam War Phantom (probably a C, small chance it might be a D) in the future.  Question - how common was it to have the wings folded while they were on the ground?    I recall seeing some pics recently but can’t find them.    
 

Was this a somewhat common practice?  I think it would add some visual interest and it would definitely help with minimizing the amount of shelf space needed. 
 

Thoughts?

[Dave Williams]

For USAF Phantoms, not very common.  Usually they were only folded if they needed to reduce the span for parking them close together, like in a hanger.

[Chek]

It certainly wasn't uncommon.

[Finn]

But they did fold them at times:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jari

[Out2gtcha]

Looks like you could go either way and be accurate! 

[Juggernut]

I would think it's a lot easier to load/unload stores to that outboard pylon with the wings folded than not.  Just an observation on what I see in the photos.

[phasephantomphixer]

Just need a reason, the maint. forms, a speedhandle, -6 manual, wingfold lock, and four ground crew

(one on top of wing, three to walk it up - or two gym rats).

Some reasons like parking space, inspection, or lube.

Been 30 yrs. since I did one so mighta forgot something... HTH

[Finn]

Also note the position of the insignia on top of the wing, at the wing fold:

 

 

Jari

[Mark P]

And it looks like a bit of repair on the left folded wing upper surface. 

 

Mark Proulx

[LSP_Ron]

Well if you really want to be outside the box you could do it flying with the wings folded.

 

 

[Out2gtcha]

Yikes!  Reminds me of the shot of the BUFF with no vertical fin or rudder................strange looking in mid air.

[John1]

1 hour ago, Mark P said:

And it looks like a bit of repair on the left folded wing upper surface. 

 

Mark Proulx

Check out the instructions from Fundekals Op Bolo set.   The amount of weird paintwork on early F-4’s in Vietnam is amazing.   

[Finn]

Here is another one:

 

 

and one with one white tank:

 

 

Jari

 

 

Edited June 10, 2021 by Finn

[John1]

9 hours ago, Finn said:

Here is another one:

 

 

 

 

Jari

 

 

Interesting camo pattern on the left wing!  I had no idea the paintwork on those jets was so diverse.  

[Finn]

Here are a couple other inflight close up pics:

 

 

 

Jari