Greece IV 2024
In July 2024 the third European edition of the PhanCon meeting (organised by the F-4 Phantom II Society) took place at Andravida in Greece. 4Aviation was there with a small group to witness more of the awesomeness of the Phantom.
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This year the 338MDV at Andravida hosted the third edition of the European PhanCon, organised by the F-4 Phantom Society. 4Aviation attended this event with a small group of true Phantom Phreaks. Because of the international nature of the group the majority of the group gathered at Athens International Airport on Tuesday 9 July 2024. After a short wait for our van to arrive the group departed to the nice city of Patras where we would spend the next three nights.
After a rather short night the group arrived at the main gate of Andravida airbase on Wednesday 10 July 2024 where the registration process went smoothly. Much to our surprise this year’s PhanCon took place at the 338MDV squadron area. This was nice as this place breathes Phantoms flat out.. Four mighty Phantoms were waiting for us at the flightline. Normally they are operating from the shelters to protect them and their technicians from the scorching heat. Three aircraft were launched for the morning sortie and after witnessing the startup procedures we quickly relocated to the beginning of the runway for the take-off of the aircraft. With a temperature close to 40 degrees and no shade the true Phantom Phans were put to the test during the one hour wait until the aircraft arrived back from their mission. Following an airfield attack the three aircraft landed and Phantastic pictures could be taken when the aircraft touched down on Andravida’s runway. At the 338MDV squadron building we met six extremely sweaty Phantom drivers… and we thought it was hot for us… After enjoying some welcome refreshments off we went again, and this time to the maintenance hangar where two Phantoms received treatment from a bunch very enthusiastic Phantom Phixers. Also a CL-215 was undergoing repairs after clipping a tree with its wing during firefighting operations.
Following our visit to the hangar and the engine shop we relocated to the 117 Combat Wing beach resort where the group had lunch and had time to relax because the afternoon mission was cancelled due to the temperature exceeding the maximum limits. This meant that night flying was planned and in the late afternoon we went back to the base where a Phantom was put outside for pictures near the squadron hangar. After this we were positioned at near the flightline again for the startup of the two aircraft which were planned for night flying. Hereafter we were positioned mid-runway to take pictures from the aircraft roaring past on their take off run. The day was concluded with the traditional BBQ at the 338MDV building together with the squadron personnel. An already great atmosphere was completed with the sound of the two Phantoms that arrived back from their mission. Around midnight the group arrived back at the hotel in Patras to enjoy yet another short night.
Fortunately day 2, Thursday 11 July 2024, would start a little later because we didn’t have to go through the registration process. This time the group was positioned at the end of the runway for take-off shots and the roll out with the dragchute trailing behind the aircraft. Unfortunately the aircraft were a bit too high on take-off. Again a long wait followed until the aircraft arrived again after an airfield attack. Whilst taking pictures of an F-4 in the hangar two CL215s departed for a mission which was a nice bonus.
Due to the heath no mission was planned for the afternoon so after a slow lunch at the beach resort the group went back to Patras where we enjoyed a very nice cold beer and some delicious Greek food while the two CL215s overflew the city to say goodbye to the participants of this year’s PhanCon.
The following morning, Friday 12 July 2024, the group left for Athens after enjoying breakfast and even a short stop could be made at the Corinth Canal which is very impressing. At Athens airport goodbyes were said after which everybody went its own way looking back at two days of breathing Phantoms.
