Ex-F4 Jocks - Was the F4 a dependable aircraft?

Question

This copy of a declassified CIA report describing an event 19 September 1976 involving an Iranian Air Force F4 includes a weapons system failure.

http://www.cohenufo.org/iranafjet.html#anchor66376

For some while there's been discussion on the Astronomy QA concerning UFO/aircraft encounters. The general attitude of the science folk there is that reports by pilots cannot be trusted because they aren't trained observers. The instance described above the involves both the aircraft dependability, and the observations of two pilots.

The pilot escaped from Iran after the death of the Shaw and is now living in California.

During your time as an F4 pilot did you ever experience weapon system failures similar to that described in the CIA report?

Answer 1

By all accounts (I have never been a pilot but studied the F-4) it was a dependable plane that was never used in it actual design but was pressed into service as a fighter.  It was designed as a mobile weapons platform.  it was designed to fly in launch its ordinance and fly away.  The plane was used well beyond the other planes of its day because it was a good design.  In fact if you look you will find that the Israelis still ahve some and have modified them.  They are used more in the wild weasel role but are incredibly fast.  the fly in fast and low(under the radar) pop up launch ordinance and fly away under the radar.  they are capable of Mach 3.

they can take a lot of damage and still fly but I havent really heard of weapons malfunctions nor could I read what you linked as I am blocked at my job.

Answer 2

I never flew one, but I worked on them when I was in the Air Force and after I got out. I worked for a company that did modifications. They are a dependable airplne. We also trained Iranian mechanics before the Shaw was overthrown. If pilots were like their enlisted folks, well, I'll just say whatever job the mechanics did we had to go back and do it over again the right way.