PhanCon returned to Andravida Air Base in Could 2026, giving individuals unprecedented entry to Greece’s operational F-4E AUP Phantom II fleet and the personnel who hold it flying.
The European Phantom Convention (PhanCon) returned as soon as once more to Greece in Could 2026 for its newest version. The occasion introduced aviation lovers from around the globe to Andravida Air Base for an exceptionally uncommon take a look at one of many final operational F-4 Phantom II fleets wherever on this planet.
The occasion was hosted by the Hellenic Air Power, which showcased the property related to 338 Mira of the 117 Fight Wing, and sponsored by the Phantom II society, with its European Liason Coert Van Breda answerable for the group. Our pal and aviation photographer Jerry McGrath had an opportunity to attend PhanCon 2026 at Andravida, the place he captured some nice photographs of the remaining Hellenic F-4Es and the work behind the scenes to maintain them operational.
The Phantom Convention
The unique Phantom Convention was an occasion sponsored by the F-4 Phantom II Society every year for a worldwide gathering of F-4 lovers. The final of those occasions was held in 2016 shortly earlier than the QF-4’s retirement from service in the US Air Power.
In July 2022, the occasion was moved to Europe and particularly to Greece, the place 5 new editions have been held to date. PhanCon 2026 thus continued a practice that has turn out to be more and more important as energetic Phantom operators turn out to be fewer every year.
The occasion is devoted to the preservation of the historical past and the heritage of the F-4 Phantom II fighter jet. The group reunites aviators, upkeep personnel, photographers, modelers, and all of the lovers with or with out direct expertise on the Phantom, which every year get the event to share experiences, meet pals once more and admire the F-4 collectively.
This 12 months the PhanCon unofficially kicked off a day earlier deep within the coronary heart of the Peloponnese Mountains, in a valley shaped by the Vouraikos River. The realm is famously used for low altitude coaching.
McGrath advised us:
“People gathered from around the globe (Japan, EU, United States and a wholesome contingent of Greek followers!) to hear and wait because the F-4E roared via the canyon at low degree, delighting the gathered attendees! Time was spent catching up with outdated pals and making new pals, all with a deep love of the Phantom.”
Day 1
The subsequent day, the group moved to Andravida, house to the 117 Fight Wing and the Air Techniques Heart, for the primary official day of the Phantom Convention. McGrath advised us:
“Official kick off occurred with individuals being handled to a bounty of swag (Cash, Patches and extra!) to begin PhanCon off with some administrative dialog and extra comradery, many people not having seen one another for the reason that final PhanCon, earlier than heading into the bottom for two days of Spooky Hijinx.”
The day began with a go to to 338 Mira’s Squadron Home, exploring the collected memorabilia of the Phantom and the squadron. The individuals then moved to the flight line to witness the primary two takeoffs of the day, with a pair of F-4E AUPs thundering down the runway, roaring into the sky and accelerating out of view.
Not like many aviation occasions of this style, PhanCon is notable for offering perception into day-to-day squadron operations reasonably than focusing solely on images alternatives. In truth, McGrath continued:
“As an operational tour, we have been handled not simply to the flights of the F-4E, however the day after day care and upkeep. We have been proven how the Phantom is saved and prepped for flight, earlier than breaking for an excellent Greek lunch, courtesy of the Swing. Moussaka and Souvlaki on the menu and a bit of celebration as properly. Presentation of a brand new e book by Keith Snyder was made on Lone Star Phantoms, accessible for decide up, and grasp organizer Coert Van Breda was celebrated by his daughters for his devotion and dedication for reviving PhanCon and retaining it stepping into Greece.”
Equally to the morning, the afternoon noticed each a mixture of flight operations and excursions to the bottom. This noticed a pair of Phantoms demonstrating assault profiles over the bottom and a go to to upkeep services, offering a behind-the-scenes take a look at how Greece continues to maintain a fleet that first entered service a long time in the past.
McGrath recounted:
“Returning to the bottom noticed a day launch… and ATTACK! A pair of F-4s launched and simulated an assault on the squadron home, dazzling the attendees, because the Rhinos vaped overhead pulling out from their floor assaults. Shifting on, we obtained a tour of their gentle upkeep services with a Phantom having just lately flown and present process some routine checks, and on to the crown of the evening: sundown photographs with the Demo jet and an evening departure (BURNERS!).”
The Demo jet has been utilized a particular livery, that includes a Phantom’s Spook over the Greek flag on the tail, whereas a the cannon’s fairing has been utilized a “175,338 Spooky Hours” writing. The livery is accomplished by adorned exterior gasoline tanks with the writing “Phear the Spooks.”
Right here is how McGrath described the shoot:
“We gathered because the F-4 Demo Jet powered up, taking photographs of the start-up and listening to these candy J79s whirl to life. Quickly it taxied out and we chased it down the taxiway (actually operating after the jet) to its reposition. With the solar within the background and air-stairs accessible, reminiscences and photographs have been made (little question many have already made their rounds). Massive thanks to Wealthy Cooper and Steven Comber for herding the cats and setting this excellent shot up. Ending the evening…. A pair of Rhinos taxied out at darkish, roaring to life with nothing however their afterburners to be seen charging down the runways!”
Day 2
The second day of the Phantom Convention began with one other go to to the upkeep services, this time to see extra in-depth work on the plane which has served Greece already for over 50 years. PhanCon’s attendees have been capable of observe plane in numerous levels of upkeep, together with examples with engines eliminated and main structural parts uncovered, in addition to the upkeep of the engines.
McGrath stated:
“We have been again, and heading to Phantom Phixers, heavy depot work by the expert crews on the base! A tour of the engine store, the place the J79s are maintained and saved, together with dialog with personnel as they labored delighted lots of the attendees, whereas others moved to the depot hanger, the place two plane have been within the midst of deeper phixing. We had the chance to take deep seems with panels off, engines out, wings separated as repairs and day after day stresses have been patched up, the planes made able to take to the air for years extra value of service.”
One significantly noteworthy spotlight of the go to to the upkeep part was the looks of one other plane being ready for return to service.
“To our shock… a brand new tail quantity! 71756 was nearing completion and hoping to fly quickly!”
Nonetheless, the true spotlight of PhanCon 2026 was but to come back, and took all of the attendees abruptly: a uncommon six-ship Phantom flypast. Right here is how our pal described it:
“Rounding the bottom within the bus, we repositioned for the shock of the occasion: six, you heard me proper, six F-4s to take off and overfly the bottom! Watching the planes roll out, stage and roar down was one thing that brings again reminiscences. Many there had by no means seen a 4-ship, a lot much less a 6-ship come to life, and it manifested earlier than us! Six Phantoms in a Vic formation (6 was tucked in) handed over the bottom at low degree, roaring via, drowning out the cheers from the onlookers. They swung huge and got here again for a second cross, this time breaking off one by one with burners for restoration.”
Notably, each the Phantoms with the smokier engines have been place precisely on the heart of the formation. The chief of the six-ship flight was the specifically coloured Demo jet.
After lunch, the group had dialog with the Squadron Commander. He addressed the group at giant and had many particular person conversations with the attendees, explaining what the F-4 means to Greece and to the Squadron.
McGrath added:
“Andy Mueller additionally offered [the Commander] along with his personal private Geoffrey and a patch from Giraffes on Tour, a outstanding charity benefiting Nice Ormond Road Hospital. Andy had beforehand flown Geoffrey on certainly one of his flights, as had 338 Mira on an F-4E. Theo was so moved, he put the patch on virtually instantly!”
Concluding the occasion, one other night photoshoot was organized for the launch of two F-4s, with as soon as once more the Demo Jet being a part of the flight.
“Because the occasion began winding down, we had yet another setup with Wealthy’s and Steven’s assist, a night flight with extra afterburners. A portion of us moved down the runway as twilight blanketed the bottom. Two F-4s, the Demo Jet being one, taxied out and roared to life, offering a stupendous shot of full burners to seal up the occasion.”
As soon as once more, on the finish of the occasion, all of the individuals took house some nice reminiscences of the two-day immersion within the lifetime of among the final Phantoms on this planet. With the service lifetime of the F-4E AUP within the Hellenic Air Power coming to an finish quickly, occasions comparable to PhanCon have turn out to be more and more beneficial not just for lovers but in addition for documenting certainly one of army aviation’s most iconic plane earlier than it will definitely leaves operational service.
McGrath summed up the expertise:
“It’s a distinctive expertise to see the bottom in full operational mode. This isn’t a spotters day, the place issues are put away and carte blanche entry is allowed. That is the Hellenic Air Power, at its greatest, retaining these large beasts within the sky and in very actual methods, permitting us a glimpse into their day after day lives. Merely…. Phantastic.”
Thanks once more to Jerry McGrath for the photographs he despatched us and the assistance he offered within the preparation of this text. Ensure to comply with him on Instagram for extra!
