The black paint is now looking extremely faded after years of California sunshine. This machine is believed to have visited Mildenhall on the 9th July 1983 marked as '17962' whilst testing the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System (ASARS).
A 57WG/561FS F-4G ready to roll at LKZ, this was one of 10 jets that departed LKZ that morning, the first wave of 5 left just before dawn, the other 5 inc this one departed at first light (around 7am) back to the States
The 'Thud' is an impressive aircraft from any viewpoint and even when mounted on a plinth she looks the rugged fighter that she was. Her markings are in reality inaccurate.