As I saw the morning rain fall I thought, "For even the sky weeps that there will be no more Phantoms. No more Woodpeckers of the 501." But the skies cleared just enough to give this mighty Phantom queen just one more day in the sun. One more day to be in the skies where she belongs. One last time to hear the power of her heart. It reminded me of when my own squadron, the VF-142 Ghostriders, passed into history in 1996. Ten years later the jet which I served, which I had grown to love, the F-14 Tomcat, also passed into the great halls of history. I'm not ashamed to say I wept each time, for a good part of my youth was spent associated with that squadron, and that magnificent jet. I know how the crews and maintainers of the 501, and all the other squadrons which are no more, feel, for I have been there myself. I'm much older now. My mind often turns back to the days of my youth, when Tomcats and Phantoms ruled the skies. Be proud 501, for your achievements are great, and no one can take them from you. Preserve those times in your mind, and let them be pleasant memories in your older years. You have served your country with honor, and distinction. Fare thee well 501. Fare thee well Phantom. Your legacies will be honored.

涙出ちゃう…。3月9日。わたしはハンガー前でお見送りしました。本当にもう飛ぶことはないんですね。寂しいです。

Just wanted to say thank you for your efforts in showcasing and helping to preserve the beauty of these machines for us. Outstanding work as always.

ファントムは、 どの角度から見ても どのカラーリング見ても どの音を耳にしても 文句無しの最高の機体です。

絵画のようにそこに止めておきたい雄姿です。素晴らしい映像をありがとうございます。 日本の空を守ってくれたファントム並びにその乗員および整備士の皆さんに心より感謝いたします。

今年で501飛行隊は閉隊となりました。 長年日本の空を守り、震災や噴火があったときには、いち早く駆けつけてくれました。 百里基地からの去ったのはファントムの三個部隊の中で二つ目です。 整備士の皆さん、RF-4ファントム、お疲れ様です。 RF-4は解体されてしまいますが、空港の隣にある公園や百里基地内にある雄飛園にはRF-4EJファントムとF-4EJ改ファントムがあります。 あと残ってるのは、ケロヨンファントムの部隊である第301飛行隊のみとなりました。来年で引退し、現在ではオジロ部隊がいる三沢基地への部隊移動が決まっております。 長文失礼しました。

The Japanese Air Force Really Does Take Good Care of the PHANTOMS..👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😍😍😍🏅🏅🏅🏅

沖縄住みでファントムをなかなか見る機会がなく、生まれて初めて見たRF-4は去年末に来た501飛行隊の909号機でした。 人生で最初で最後のファントムでしたがとても美しく、絶対に忘れることの無い思い出となりました。 59年間、日本の空を見守ってくれてありがとうございました。 敬礼

素晴らしい映像有難うございました。 さようなら５０１飛行隊、RF-4ファントム。今までありがとう。

さらば老兵よ、長い間だ本当にありがとう日本の平和お守ってくれて勇姿が見れ無く成るのは悲しいけどでももう充分に活躍したんだから後の余生はゆっくりしてねフアントムじいさんバイバイ👋

第501偵察飛行隊、もう二度とあの素晴らしい勇姿が見れなくなると思うと泣けてきます…第501偵察飛行隊今まで本当にありがとう。

航空機の動画でこんなに泣きそうになるとは😢 子供の頃から1番好きな機体でした。さよならファントム爺✈︎

501空 偵察ファントム、最後の晴れ舞台…。 その一挙手一投足の全てが 私達に何かを語りかけてくるようです。 見ていると、 単なる飛行機や部隊にとどまらない、 大切な誰かを 見送っているような気持ちになります。 J79の最期の咆哮が、 ことのほか心に響きます。 これは、泣けます。

4:06 パイロットが機体をポンポンと叩いてる。 なんてことない仕草なのになんか感慨深いものがあるな。

美しい映像に感動しました。永久に残してほしい作品です。

もと自衛官…小松空港で仕事していた頃が…ファントムの映像を観ていると懐かしい…いいね、最高…あれから、45…年👍

父の所属が302でしたので小さい頃からファントムは憧れの飛行機でした。

さようなら501SQ。ありがとうRF-4。 君たちの雄姿を僕らは忘れない。忘れてなるものか。

Thank you, for such an amazing footage. Your videos are top notch quality. The scene with the Woodpeckers taxiing and the sakura petals being blown in the wind was simply amazing!

私も悔いなきよう何度も何度も百里に通い撮影しました。 おすすめに出てきたので何となしに拝見させてもらいましたが涙が溢れてきました。 有難うございました。

本当に機体の息遣いが聴こえてくるような映像ですね。

Hate to say goodbye. 50 yrs of dedication and service. No sign of metal fatigue, no major obstacles in operations, no nagging engines. WoW! All we can say... You guys done such a great & excellent services in maintenance. No other countries can match that. Kampaii🍻

I have loved this 🐦 for years. My Father flew for the USN and was from Missouri this bird came to be. I watched my dad fly away and come home. I allways knew the F4 would bring him home. Back then all the bird had cool paint jobs the Navy had about every color under the 🌞 which brings n Me back to you Sir Outstanding job love your work

Soon the JSDF will have grounded all Phantoms and the only thing we'll have is your vids. Thank you! PS; Then you'll have to travel to S. Korea, Greece and Turkey.😊

やはり、飛行機に対して撮り手の愛情みたいな物が映像に滲み出てるのか 観てて心に伝わる様で、毎回ありがとうございます。

美しい　今でもf4が一番好きだ、ホントに見れなくなって残念

未だに美しい、 執着じゃなく新しい挑戦、 金属音は音楽となり、 逞しい姿は伝説になる、 ファントムエフフォー

百里基地はボクの地元にあって、とても思い出深いです。　もうあの迷彩塗装のファントムお爺ちゃんを見られないんですね。　洋上迷彩のファントムお爺ちゃんを初めて見たときは特別塗装だと思いましたが、任務で必要なマーキングであることを知りました。　ファントムお爺ちゃんたち。今まで本当にありがとう。　お疲れ様でした。

攻撃的なはずの 戦闘機が なんと優雅なこと

No dry eyes, we will miss the Woodpecker Phantoms, I am glad we got to see the Phantom live this long!!! I first saw them in an anime entitled 801st TTS Airbats when I was a kid. Thanks for the beautiful work as always 1-300!!!

Those old peacemakers have done stirling work for the free world and your movie is fitting tribute. They will never fly again, but their memory will be preserved! By the way - their last flight should have been above Mt Fuji❤

只々素晴らしいです。特に7:30辺りからのシーンには言葉もありません。 9:00辺りから始まる隊員の表情には心に迫る物があります。

Goodbye faithful companions. You have protected a country for decades, and now it is our turn to honor you. Excellent video. Are any of them going to be preserved?

翼をふる姿…泣けてきます。

#905号機には思い入れがあります。美しい映像と心地良いBGM、ありがとうございます。

筋肉質でカッコいい！今の戦闘機は、、、スリムすぎ。。

それぞれの機のシャークティス精悍さに整備員の心意気！いただきました。

さようなら、さよならファントム。 あなたは尊敬と安らぎを得ました。 あなたが名誉ある場所に住むように。 Goodbye, sayonara Phantoms. You earned your respect and rest. May you reside in places of honor.

A phantastic phinale to the RF-4 Phantom and an excellent production as always. The closing scene with the opening of the drag chute was special. Y

Grazie per questo meraviglioso video! Il passaggio dietro il ciliegio fiorito è poesia pura. Una sinfonia per questa splendida macchina che ha volato superba per anni. E brava l'aviazione del Giappone che li ha tenuti in splendida forma. Solo un velo di tristezza. Ciao vecchio Fantasma!

Just beautiful... We owe you so much for preserving the beauty of an F4 in flight..

Right in the feels... Beautiful work. Thank you very much indeed.

thank you for making this

i'm a bit late here, but i just love the emotion this video brought to me, like saying goodbye to an old phriend. The phantoms sure had an unphorgettable service in the jasdf. The time has come and we shall move on. You will never be phorgotten. A very big kudos to the servicemen of the jasdf who kept these birds in the sky.

60 years of service. What an aircraft. Thanks for the video.

どのカットを見ても素晴らしい。 5:23のパイロットも、8:23の輝きも、9:14からも物凄くカッコよく感涙です。 最高のRF-4Eです。

嗚呼、ファントム。ファントムよ。

How You frame this is all is top craftsmanship.Amazing

I am so looking forward to building my 1/48 scale Z.M. F-4 EJ of tye Hyukuri air wing this summer it's going to be fun

I’m sure those were the best cared for and maintained phantoms anywhere

I gotta say the quality of the video is the best I've seen. You defianatly have the eye for this, you found your calling.

WoooooooooooW ,,,, look at the phantoms😱😱😱❤💥💥💥👋👋👋how much fresh are these???!!!

"Goodbye and Thank You Old Friend" for your service to your homeland of Japan...

藝術品，骨董，美麗英姿!

A true testament to the longevity of the Phantom II design. McDonnell Douglas sure did have a winner. Thank you for 62 years of service. It will be a sad day in aviation history when the last lead sled is retired.

Just LOVE the Phantom peeking out of the air intakes...

my eyes wet & tears dropping

Goodbye Woodpeckers. Thanks for keeping them alive forever with your videos. Thanks for this beauty as always.

As an addendum. As a model builder, one can weather a Japanese Phantom slightly....but you can't make them dirty. You guys truly keep your aircraft in impeccable condition. Gorgeous.

Once again you've produced an absolutely amazing portrait of these beautiful machines. I love it :)

Japan probably had the nicest , cleanest F4’s on the planet

3:48 *The Phantom and the Sakura*

Brought a tear to my eye. What a magnificent machine.

Thank you for your wonderful videos, made with the love those wonderful flying creatures deserve. I am an old aviator (helicopters) and I feel emotioned to see the respect and love to the wonderful Phantom and its crews that you display in your video. For me some of the most beautiful videos with the best photografy about military aircraft that I have seen. どうもありがとうございました

いつも素晴らしい動画ありがとうございます。

Got me right in the feels this did. My dad worked on the Mighty F4 FG1 and FGR2 at 19MU RAF St Athan in the 70's and 80's. Thank you for the memories old Phriend, you've done your bit for our freedom. The best bird that ever was, and ever will be.

あー😩一機家に飾って置きたい

Very 👍👍👍👍👍vídeo! Respect 🙏 from Portugal 🇵🇹

They are nice looking Phantoms

So sad to see them going...you have made me close to tears my friened , with your perfect video as always. Passing the true sadness of the moment to the heart of all of us

ご苦労様でした！ 今まで日本を守ってくれて ありがとうございました またどこかの航空公園などで会いたいです！ ５０１SQ、隊員の皆さもご苦労様でした。

Your work is stunning, incredible phootage and beautifully orchestrated. This is evident on how the video draws the emotions from you viewers. What a wonderphul aircraft, the Phantoms has touch us all in one way or another. These videos you have masterfully assembled will live on phorever. Thank you sir, you are the standard for which no other has come close... Thank you and the 501st.

Pharewell Phabulous Phantom!

Thank you for dedicating so much time to such a beautiful aircraft

Wow! That was emotional. It really got to me, I did shed a tear. Fitting music for such a sad occasion, I've watched it many times. Phank you Phabulous Phantoms, thank you 1-300. I loved watching these videos, your work is exceptional. What an aircraft.

Last flight was on my birthday too. Such a shame.

おじいさーん😭

素晴らしい映像でした、感慨深く涙がでました。青帽なころから長い間追いかけられたんですね、これからも素敵な航空ファンでいてください^_^

It's just heartbreaking to see these phantoms being retired. no aircraft can and will ever be able to match an F-4s charm and beauty.

Bye Bye, Spook. One of the toughest Warplanes Ever. Flown by some of the most bad ass Warriors Ever. o7 Salute

I wish more aircraft could have such a beautiful goodbye's like these Phantoms do.

You did it to me again😥👍 Sad to see them go.

..Very beautifully filmed and edited. Music fits the mood very well. Last time I was sad like this was seeing the last Tornado F.3 (RAF) being retired..

The classical music is perfect for this SAD occasion! These Birds of Prey will live forever in our Memory of a JOB WELL DONE!!

お疲れ様

Had the privilege to see very close these big birds flying..impressive machine and great footage..farewell F4..

Beautiful elegant lines, powerful engines and the noise. The Phantom was, is, an amazing aircraft. Unfortunately, time will not stand still for anyone. 501, you have served your country with honour and you should be proud of all your achievements. The grand old ladies will be missed, but, they will never be forgotten. Blue skies and trailing winds. ありがとうございました.

I shall build a 501st f-4 1-72 scale model for my next project what camouflage scheme should I do

Those High Resolution Pic's Allowed Me To See A Side and a View and A NEW Discovery To Me. Salute.

Beautiful, as usual! Interesting airplane, old but very fast!!

I really got hit in the feels I felt what those pilots felt landing those aircraft for the last time may this beautiful aircraft and those who flew never be lost or forgotten in the history books may the honor live forever longer

Goodbye, you old birds of prey. Still as menacing and beautiful as you were fifty years ago. Afterburning angels, bringing your pilots home safely, through the roughest fire, no matter the mission. Interceptor, close air support, air supremacy, you did them all. Though your colors may fade and your steel may rust, the scream of your engines will be remembered by all those who have been privileged to hear them, and your silhouette respected by both friend and foe. Goodbye, Phabulous Phlying Phantom. We will miss you.

Nobody does it better. I always get something in my eyes watching these wonderful tributes. Today is no exception! When I was young, the Phantom was in it's infancy. Older now, it's as if all my old friends have moved on into the west. My time will come soon enough. Perhaps I will find myself on a hill in some heavenly place watching Phantoms dancing overhead... One can only dream Love your work so much. Thank you.

Excellent video covering an outstanding airplane. Amazing that they have been in service since 1961. Well maintained aircraft typical of JASDF. Congrats.

Very nice thaks

I started to get tears in my eyes at the end. Thank you for continuing to provide the most beautiful footage of Phantoms I've ever seen. It's such a shame that these jets are being retired, but that's always expected with aircraft. I just hope these will be preserved in museums for future generations to appreciate.

Thank you for posting so many magnificent videos of these venerable aircraft, a firm favourite of mine as a child. It's amazing to think how many years younger so many of the pilots are than the aircraft they have been flying in these Japanese squadrons.

Thank you for taking such beautiful video of this, I was hoping to travel to Japan to see the last of the JASDF Phantoms but alas, the stars never aligned. Wonderful footage

Wow 🤩, what beautiful filming and editing. I watched it twice just because it’s so beautifully done. Please continue with this amazing work.👍🏻 from the 🇺🇸

PHANTASTIC PHOOTAGE!