McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service - data

A total of 185 F-4 Phantoms were produced for and operated by the United Kingdom between 1968 and 1992. Between 1966 and 1969, 170 Phantoms were specially built for the UK, replacing the de Havilland Sea Vixen in the fleet air defence role for the Royal Navy, and the Hawker Hunter in the close air support and tactical reconnaissance roles in the Royal Air Force. Subsequently, when replaced by the SEPECAT Jaguar for close air support and reconnaissance, the Phantom replaced the English Electric Lightning as the UK's primary air defence interceptor. The Phantom was operated by the Royal Navy until 1978, when HMS Ark Royal, the only British ship capable of operating the aircraft, was decommissioned. Following this, the Royal Navy's Phantoms were turned over to the Royal Air Force. In 1984, a batch of 15 former United States Navy and United States Marine Corps Phantoms were obtained by the Royal Air Force to form an additional squadron. The Phantom began to be replaced by the air defence variant of the Panavia Tornado from 1987, and was finally withdrawn from service in 1992.
Basic specifications
[edit]Variant designation | Image | Powerplant | Speed (at 40,000 ft) | Ceiling | Range | Weight | Wingspan | Length | Height | Production total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | UK | Empty | Maximum | |||||||||
F-4K | FG.1[1] | ![]() |
2 x Rolls-Royce Spey 201/203 low-bypass turbofan | 1,386 mph (2,231 km/h) | 57,200 ft (17,400 m) | 1,750 mi (2,820 km) | 31,000 lb (14,000 kg) | 58,000 lb (26,000 kg) | 38 ft 5 in (11.71 m) | 57 ft 7 in (17.55 m) | 16 ft 1 in (4.90 m)[A] | 52 |
F-4M | FGR.2[1] | ![]() |
2 x Rolls-Royce Spey 202/204 low-bypass turbofan | 118 | ||||||||
F-4J(UK) | F.3[2] | ![]() |
2 x General Electric J79-10B axial flow turbojet | 1,428 mph (2,298 km/h) | 64,700 ft (19,700 m) | 29,900 lb (13,600 kg) | 58 ft 3 in (17.75 m) | 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m) | 15 |
External weapons and other stores
[edit]The Phantom had a total of nine weapons stations, with two under each wing, one under the fuselage, and four along the side of the fuselage (see diagram), with the aircraft ultimately rated to carry up to 16,000 lb (7,300 kg) of external stores. UK Phantoms could be fitted with a range of both air-to-air, air-to-ground and reconnaissance stores in varying quantities through the use of different adapters fitted to its weapon stations:[4]
- Stations 1, 5 and 9 were plumbed to allow the carriage of external fuel tanks[5]
- Stations 2 and 8 were each capable of being fitted with a pair of LAU-7/A missile rails for the carriage of AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles[5]
- Stations 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9 could each be fitted with a Carrier Bomb Triple Ejector (CBTE) to allow the carriage of up to three weapons per station[5]
- Stations 3, 4, 6 and 7 were semi-recessed ejector stations for the carriage of AIM-7 Sparrow or GEC Skyflash missiles[5]


Name | Type | Notes | Weapons stations | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
Gun | |||||||||||
SUU-23/A[B] | Gun pod | Utilised in air-to-air and air-to-ground roles | ![]() |
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Air-to-Air weapons | |||||||||||
AIM-7E Sparrow | SARH air-to-air missile | ![]() |
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Skyflash | Development of Sparrow with inverse monopulse seeker | ![]() |
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AIM-9 Sidewinder | IR air-to-air missile | Initially fitted with AIM-9G before upgrading to AIM-9L | ![]() |
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Air-to-Ground weapons | |||||||||||
MC Mk13 1000lb bomb | General-purpose bomb | ![]() |
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M2 540lb bomb | ![]() |
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BL755 | Cluster bomb | ![]() |
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Matra Type 116 rocket pod[B] | Rocket pod | For carriage of SNEB 68mm rocket projectile | ![]() |
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Microcell No.7 rocket pod[C] | For carriage of RP2 2-inch rocket projectile | ![]() |
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Special weapons | |||||||||||
B43 variable yield thermonuclear bomb[D] | Tactical nuclear weapon | Variable yield of 70 kilotons to 1 megaton | ![]() |
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B57 variable yield nuclear bomb[D] | Variable yield of 5 kilotons to 20 kilotons | ![]() |
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Reconnaissance | |||||||||||
EMI pod | Reconnaissance pod | Contained side-looking radar, infrared linescan and multiple cameras |
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LS-93 Night Flash | Contained camera with night flash capability; installed in 370 gallon fuel tank |
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KB-18A Strike camera | ![]() |
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Fuel tanks | |||||||||||
600 gallon external tank | Fuel tank | ![]() |
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Sargent Fletcher 370 gallon external tank | ![]() |
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Comparison of Phantom FG.1 with Sea Vixen and Lightning
[edit]Aircraft | Powerplant | Thrust (each engine) |
Speed (at 40,000 ft) |
Ceiling | Range | Armament (air defence) |
Avionics | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat | Maximum | ||||||||
Sea Vixen[9] | ![]() |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.208 turbojets | 11,000 lbf (49 kN) | 700 mph (1,100 km/h) | 48,000 ft (15,000 m) | 600 mi (970 km) | 2,000 mi (3,200 km) | 4 x Firestreak or Red Top air to air missile (AAM) | GEC AI.18 X-band radar |
Lightning[10] | ![]() |
2 x Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.301 turbojets | 12,690 lbf (56.4 kN) dry thrust 16,360 lbf (72.8 kN) |
1,500 mph (2,400 km/h) | 60,000 ft (18,000 m) | 800 mi (1,300 km) | 1,250 mi (2,010 km) | 2 x Firestreak or Red Top AAM 2 x 30mm ADEN cannon |
Ferranti AI.23 X-band monopulse radar |
Phantom[1] | ![]() |
2 x Rolls-Royce Spey Mk.203 turbofans | 12,140 lbf (54.0 kN) 20,515 lbf (91.26 kN) with afterburner |
1,386 mph (2,231 km/h) | 57,200 ft (17,400 m) | 1,000 mi (1,600 km) | 1,750 mi (2,820 km) | 4 x AIM-7 Sparrow or Skyflash AAM 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM[E] |
Ferranti AN/AWG-11 X-band multi-mode fire control system |
F-4J airframes selected for conversion to F-4J(UK)
[edit]In 1982, the UK government took the decision to procure an additional squadron of Phantoms, going on to select a number of used F-4J airframes stored at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center in Arizona.[11] A total of 15 airframes were purchased although, over the course of the procurement process, 19 were selected, with four ultimately not being used for various reasons.[12][13] Of the fifteen airframes ultimately selected, seven had previously seen active service in Vietnam.[14]
BuNo Number | United States service | Fate | RAF serial | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
USN | USMC | Vietnam combat? | |||
153768 | — | To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE350 | ||
153773 | To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE351 | |||
153783 | To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE352 | |||
153785 | ![]() |
To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE353 | ||
153795 | — | ![]() |
To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE354 | |
153803 | — | ![]() |
To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE355 | |
153824 | — | Upgraded to F-4S[F] | — | ||
153850 | ![]() |
To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE356 | ||
153892 | — | To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE357 | ||
155510 | — | To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE358 | ||
155529 | ![]() |
To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE359 | ||
155574 | — | To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE360 | ||
155734 | To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE361 | |||
155755 | — | ![]() |
To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE362 | |
155784 | ![]() |
Upgraded to F-4S[F] | — | ||
155841 | Lost during transport[G] | — | |||
155849 | — | Upgraded to F-4S[F] | — | ||
155868 | To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE363 | |||
155894 | ![]() |
To RAF as F-4J(UK) | ZE364 |
List of surviving complete aircraft and aircraft sections
[edit]While the majority of UK Phantoms were ultimately scrapped, a number of complete examples survived after the type's final withdrawal in 1992, either preserved in museums, or for further use as static articles by other units. Additionally, a number of examples that were ultimately scrapped had sections preserved for display in museums. These surviving complete examples and preserved sections are listed.[16][17][H]
Aircraft serial | Variant | First UK operator | Final UK operator | Fate | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
XT596 | YF-4K | Rolls-Royce | British Aerospace | Preserved (Yeovilton) | Oldest preserved UK Phantom[21] |
XT597 | F-4K | Ministry of Defence (Procurement Executive) |
Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment |
Preserved (Kemble) | Final UK Phantom to fly[22] Under restoration by BPAG[23] |
XT863 | F-4K | 700P Naval Air Squadron | No. 43 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section stored (Cowes) |
XT864 | F-4K | 700P Naval Air Squadron | No. 111 Squadron | Preserved (Lisburn) | |
XT891 | F-4M | No. 228 OCU | No. 74 Squadron | Preserved (Coningsby) | Gate guardian |
XT895 | F-4M | No. 228 OCU | No. 74 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved |
XT899 | F-4M | No. 228 OCU | No. 19 Squadron | Preserved (Kbely) | |
XT903 | F-4M | No. 228 OCU | No. 56 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Cosford) |
XT905 | F-4M | No. 54 Squadron | No. 74 Squadron | Preserved (Kemble) | Under restoration by BPAG[24] |
XT914 | F-4M | No. 228 OCU | No. 74 Squadron | Preserved (Wattisham) | |
XV399 | F-4M | No. 228 OCU | No. 56 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Vik) |
XV401 | F-4M | No. 228 OCU | No. 74 Squadron | Preserved (Bentwaters) | |
XV402 | F-4M | No. 31 Squadron | No. 56 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved |
XV406 | F-4M | Ministry of Defence | No. 228 OCU | Preserved (Carlisle) | |
XV408 | F-4M | No. 6 Squadron | No. 92 Squadron | Preserved (Tangmere) | |
XV409 | F-4M | No. 228 OCU | No. 1435 Flight | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Stanley) |
XV415 | F-4M | No. 54 Squadron | No. 56 Squadron | Preserved (Boulmer) | Gate guardian |
XV419 | F-4M | No. 54 Squadron | No. 19 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Ruthin) |
XV424 | F-4M | No. 6 Squadron | No. 56 Squadron | Preserved (Hendon) | |
XV426 | F-4M | No. 31 Squadron | No. 56 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Norwich)[25] |
XV460 | F-4M | No. 14 Squadron | No. 74 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Bentwaters) |
XV470 | F-4M | No. 2 Squadron | No. 56 Squadron | Stored (Akrotiri) | |
XV474 | F-4M | No. 17 Squadron | No. 74 Squadron | Preserved (Duxford) | First Phantom in air superiority grey[26] |
XV489 | F-4M | No. 2 Squadron | No. 92 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved |
XV490 | F-4M | No. 54 Squadron | No. 74 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Newark) |
XV497 | F-4M | No. 41 Squadron | No. 74 Squadron | Preserved (Flixton) | Final RAF Phantom to fly[1] |
XV499 | F-4M | No. 228 OCU | No. 74 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section stored (St Athan) |
XV581 | F-4K | No. 43 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Aberdeen) | |
XV582 | F-4K | No. 43 Squadron | No. 228 OCU | Preserved (St Athan) | |
XV586 | F-4K | 892 Naval Air Squadron | No. 43 Squadron | Preserved (Yeovilton) | |
XV591 | F-4K | 892 Naval Air Squadron | No. 111 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Cosford) |
ZE350 | F-4J(UK) | No. 74 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Adelaide) Preserved in US Navy livery[27] | |
ZE352 | F-4J(UK) | No. 74 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Preston) | |
ZE359 | F-4J(UK) | No. 74 Squadron | Preserved (Duxford) | Preserved in US Navy livery[28] | |
ZE360 | F-4J(UK) | No. 74 Squadron | Preserved (Kemble) | Formerly used for firefighting training Under restoration by BPAG[29] |
Phantom bases
[edit]- United Kingdom[30][31][32][33]
- A&AEE Boscombe Down
- A&AEE – November 1968 to January 1994[I]
- RNAS Yeovilton
- 700P Naval Air Squadron — April 1968 to February 1969
- 767 Naval Air Squadron — January 1969 to August 1972
- 892 Naval Air Squadron — March 1969 to September 1972
- RAF Leuchars
- 892 Naval Air Squadron — October 1972 to April 1978[J]
- No. 43 Squadron — September 1969 to July 1989
- No. 64 (R) Squadron[K] — April 1987 to January 1991
- No. 111 Squadron — July 1974 to January 1990
- Phantom Training Flight — August 1972 to May 1978
- RAF Coningsby
- No. 6 Squadron — May 1969 to October 1974
- No. 29 Squadron — December 1974 to March 1987
- No. 41 Squadron — April 1972 to April 1977
- No. 54 Squadron — August 1969 to April 1974
- No. 64 (R) Squadron[L][K] — July 1970 to April 1987
- RAF Wattisham
- No. 23 Squadron — November 1975 to March 1983
- No. 56 Squadron — March 1976 to June 1992
- No. 74 Squadron — July 1984 to September 1992
- Phantom Training Flight — January 1991 to January 1992
- A&AEE Boscombe Down
- Germany[33]
- RAF Laarbruch
- No. 2 Squadron — December 1970 to February 1976
- RAF Brüggen
- No. 14 Squadron — June 1970 to January 1976
- No. 17 Squadron — July 1970 to July 1975
- No. 31 Squadron — July 1971 to June 1976
- RAF Wildenrath
- No. 19 Squadron — December 1976 to January 1992
- No. 92 Squadron — March 1977 to July 1991
- RAF Laarbruch
- Falkland Islands[33]
- RAF Stanley
- No 23 Squadron — March 1983 to May 1985
- No 29 Squadron (Detachment) — October 1982 to March 1983
- RAF Mount Pleasant
- No 23 Squadron — May 1985 to November 1988
- No. 1435 Flight — November 1988 to June 1992
- RAF Stanley
- Aircraft carriers
- Although cross-decking with the aircraft carriers of the United States Navy was a regular occurrence for Fleet Air Arm aircraft,[37] Ark Royal was the only regular shipboard home for the UK's Phantoms during their service with the Royal Navy. However, at the introduction of the Phantom into the Fleet Air Arm, two other aircraft carriers, one British and one American, briefly played host to UK Phantoms:
Accidents and incidents
[edit]Over the course of the Phantom's service with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, a total of 47 aircraft were lost to crashes, while another 8 were damaged and not repaired.[43]
Date | Variant | Aircraft serial | Operator | Location | Country | Fatalities | Description | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 July 1969 | FGR.2 | XV395 | No. 6 Squadron | Horncastle, Lincolnshire | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to loss of hydraulic pressure leading to locking of controls | [44] |
3 May 1970 | FG.1 | XV566 | A&AEE[O] | Lyme Bay, Dorset | ![]() |
2 | Crashed into Lyme Bay; no trace of aircraft found | [45] |
19 May 1971 | FG.1 | XT862 | 767 Naval Air Squadron | Off Newquay, Cornwall | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to engine flameout | [46] |
29 June 1971 | FG.1 | XV565 | 892 Naval Air Squadron | Off Mayport, Florida | ![]() |
0 | Crash while undertaking low level air combat manoeuvring | [47] |
12 October 1971 | FGR.2 | XV479 | No. 54 Squadron | Holstebro, Holstebro Municipality | ![]() |
0+2[P] | Crash due to engine failure | [48] |
15 October 1971 | FGR.2 | XT904 | No. 228 OCU | Off Cromer, Norfolk | ![]() |
0 | Crash following loss of aerodynamic control in spin | [49] |
10 January 1972 | FG.1 | XT876 | 767 Naval Air Squadron | Trevose Head, Cornwall | ![]() |
1 | Crash following loss of aerodynamic control in spin | [50] |
14 February 1972 | FGR.2 | XT913 | No. 228 OCU | Off Happisburgh, Norfolk | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to hydraulic failure | [51] |
20 November 1972 | FGR.2 | XV477 | No. 6 Squadron | Scarrowmanwick Fell, Cumbria | ![]() |
2 | Crash into Fell as a result of attempt to climb to altitude due to poor visibility at lower level | [52] |
1 June 1973 | FGR.2 | XV397 | No. 17 Squadron | Kempen, North Rhine-Westphalia | ![]() |
1 | Crash following steep dive as a result of instrument failure | [53] |
25 June 1973 | FGR.2 | XV440 | No. 31 Squadron | Off Vlieland, Friesland | ![]() |
2 | Crash believed to be due to pilot error | [54] |
17 July 1973 | FG.1 | XT871 | 892 Naval Air Squadron | Firth of Forth | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to engine failure | [55] |
22 August 1973 | FGR.2 | XV427 | No. 17 Squadron | Arfeld, North-Rhine Westphalia | ![]() |
2 | Crashed into high-ground during low level sortie | [56] |
15 October 1973 | FG.1 | XT869 | 892 Naval Air Squadron | Tentsmuir Forest, Fife | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to engine failure | [57] |
9 August 1974 | FGR.2 | XV493 | No. 41 Squadron | Fordham Fen, Norfolk | ![]() |
2+1[Q] | Crash following mid-air collision | [58] |
11 October 1974 | FGR.2 | XV431 | No. 31 Squadron | RAF Brüggen | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to wing tips being left unlocked and folding on take-off | [59] |
21 November 1974 | FGR.2 | XV441 | No. 14 Squadron | Maasbree, Limburg | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to engine fire on take-off | [60] |
3 March 1975 | FGR.2 | XV416 | No. 111 Squadron | Coningsby, Lincolnshire | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to engine failure | [61] |
18 September 1975 | FG.1 | XV580 | No. 43 Squadron | Kirriemuir, Tayside | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to loss of control during practice sortie for air display | [62] |
24 November 1975 | FGR.2 | XV405 | No. 228 OCU | Skegness, Lincolnshire | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to loss of control | [63] |
17 December 1975 | FGR.2 | XV463 | No. 41 Squadron | Mawbray, Cumbria | ![]() |
2 | Crash due to loss of control | [64] |
23 July 1976 | FGR.2 | XV417 | No. 29 Squadron | Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire | ![]() |
0 | Crash during air combat manoeuvring when wing tip folded due to loose securing bolt | [65] |
18 May 1977 | FG.1 | XV588 | 892 Naval Air Squadron | RAF Leuchars | ![]() |
0 | Aircraft burnt out due to engine fire during aborted take-off | [66] |
12 May 1978 | FG.1 | XT868 | 892 Naval Air Squadron | RAF Leuchars | ![]() |
1 | Crash due to engine flameout | [67] |
24 July 1978 | FGR.2 | XV483 | No. 92 Squadron | Drenke, North-Rhine Westphalia | ![]() |
2 | Crash during practice intercept | [68] |
4 August 1978 | FGR.2 | XV403 | No. 111 Squadron | Off Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire | ![]() |
2 | Crash during practice intercept | [69] |
23 November 1978 | FG.1 | XT598 | No. 111 Squadron | St Andrews Bay, Fife | ![]() |
2 | Crash during landing approach | [70] |
28 February 1979 | FG.1 | XV578 | No. 111 Squadron | Off Montrose, Angus | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to engine failure | [71] |
5 March 1980 | FGR.2 | XV436 | No. 29 Squadron | RAF Coningsby | ![]() |
0 | Aircraft ran off runway having missed arrestor cable following hydraulic failure | [72] |
3 June 1980 | FG.1 | XV589 | No. 111 Squadron | RAF Alconbury | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to loss of aerodynamic stability from nose radome unlocking and folding back | [73] |
11 July 1980 | FGR.2 | XV418 | No. 92 Squadron | Lohne, Lower Saxony | ![]() |
2 | Crash due to loss of control during manoeuvring | [74] |
12 November 1980 | FGR.2 | XV413 | No. 29 Squadron | Off Cromer, Norfolk | ![]() |
2 | Crashed into the North Sea during night flying | [75] |
9 December 1980 | FGR.2 | XV414 | No. 23 Squadron | Off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to fire caused by ignition of fuel leak | [76] |
9 July 1981 | FG.1 | XT866 | No. 43 Squadron | RAF Leuchars | ![]() |
0 | Crash on landing due to loss of control as a result of slipstream | [77] |
14 April 1982 | FGR.2 | XT912 | No. 228 OCU | Billinghay, Lincolnshire | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to mid-air collision with second aircraft in formation | [78] |
7 July 1982 | FGR.2 | XV491 | No. 29 Squadron | Off Cromer, Norfolk | ![]() |
2 | Crash in fog due to faulty altimeter | [79] |
17 October 1983 | FGR.2 | XV484 | No. 23 Squadron | Mount Usbourne, Falkland Islands | ![]() |
2 | Crashed into mountain following descent through cloud | [80] |
31 July 1985 | FG.1 | XT857 | No. 111 Squadron | RAF Leuchars | ![]() |
0 | Aircraft overran runway on landing | [81] |
7 January 1986 | FGR.2 | XV434 | No. 29 Squadron | Walden Head, North Yorkshire | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to loss of control | [82] |
3 July 1986 | FGR.2 | XV471 | No. 19 Squadron | Rath-Anhoven, North-Rhine Westphalia | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to fire destroying stabilator control unit, leading to total loss of control | [83] |
26 August 1987 | F.3 | ZE358 | No. 74 Squadron | Pant-y-Gwair, Dyfed | ![]() |
2 | Crash while undertaking low level air combat manoeuvring | [84] |
7 September 1987 | FG.1 | XT861 | No. 43 Squadron | Off Firth of Tay, Perthshire | ![]() |
0 | Crash as a result of mid-air collision | [85] |
20 April 1988 | FG.1 | XT860 | No. 43 Squadron | Leuchars, Fife | ![]() |
2 | Crash as a result of poor visibility due to sea fog | [86] |
2 August 1988 | FGR.2 | XV501 | No. 56 Squadron | Mayenne, Pays de la Loire | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to loss of control during practice intercept | [87] |
23 September 1988 | FGR.2 | XV428 | No. 228 OCU | RAF Abingdon | ![]() |
2 | Crash during aerobatic manoeuvre | [88] |
18 October 1988 | FGR.2 | XV437 | No. 92 Squadron | Holzminden, Lower Saxony | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to engine failure | [89] |
9 January 1989 | FGR.2 | XT908 | No. 228 OCU | Off Dundee, Tayside | ![]() |
1 | Crash due to loss of control following pilot loss of consciousness | [90] |
24 April 1989 | FGR.2 | XT893 | No. 56 Squadron | Flamborough Head, North Yorkshire | ![]() |
0 | Crash following loss of aerodynamic control in spin | [91] |
1 April 1990 | FGR.2 | XV478 | No. 19 Squadron | RAF Wildenrath | ![]() |
0 | Aircraft caught fire while on the ground | [92] |
30 April 1990 | FGR.2 | XV402 | No. 56 Squadron | RAF Valley | ![]() |
0 | Aircraft caught fire during landing due to tyre burst | [93] |
9 October 1990 | FGR.2 | XV394 | No. 92 Squadron | RAF Wildenrath | ![]() |
0 | Aircraft sustained minor damage on landing - not repaired due to imminent retirement of type | [94] |
8 January 1991 | FGR.2 | XV462 | No. 19 Squadron | Off Limassol, Limassol District | ![]() |
0 | Crash due to uncontrollable roll | [95] |
12 August 1991 | FGR.2 | XV438 | No. 56 Squadron | RAF Wattisham | ![]() |
0 | Aircraft damaged due to mid-air collision - not repaired due to imminent retirement of type | [96] |
30 October 1991 | FGR.2 | XV421 | No. 1435 Flight | Off McBrides Head, Falkland Islands | ![]() |
2 | Crash believed due to crew disorientation in cloud | [97] |
15 July 1992 | FGR.2 | XV473 | No. 56 Squadron | RAF Waddington | ![]() |
0 | Aircraft damaged by faulty fuel pump - not repaired due to imminent retirement of type | [98] |
Phantom units
[edit]In addition to the various units of the Fleet Air Arm and RAF, the Phantom was operated by two units of the A&AEE – 'A' Squadron, which was responsible for fast jet evaluation, and 'C' Squadron, which dealt with naval aircraft testing.[99]
Unit | Formed | Variant | Role | Previous operations (withdrawn) | Disbanded | Replaced by | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
700P Naval Air Squadron | 1968 | FG.1 | Operational Evaluation[R] | Wessex HAS.3[S] (1967) | 1969[T] | Sea King HAS.1[U] | [32] |
767 Naval Air Squadron | 1969 | Operational Conversion | Attacker FB.2 (1955)[V] | 1972 | N/A[W] | [32] | |
892 Naval Air Squadron | 1969[T] | Fleet Air Defence | Sea Vixen FAW.2 (1969) | 1978 | no replacement [X] | [107] | |
No. 2 Squadron | 1970 | FGR.2 | Tactical Reconnaissance | Hunter FR.10 (1970) | 1976 | Jaguar GR.1 | [108][109] |
No. 6 Squadron | 1969 | FGR.2 | Close Air Support/Tactical Strike | Canberra B.16 (1969) | 1974 | [110] | |
No. 14 Squadron | 1970 | FGR.2 | Canberra B(I).8 (1970) | 1975 | [111] | ||
No. 17 Squadron | 1970 | FGR.2 | Canberra PR.7[Y] (1970) | 1975 | [113] | ||
No. 19 Squadron | 1977 | FGR.2 | Air Defence | Lightning F.2A (1977) | 1992 | Hawk T.1[Z] | [117] |
No. 23 Squadron | 1975 | FGR.2 | Lightning F.3/F.6 (1975) | 1988 | Tornado F.3 | [118] | |
No. 29 Squadron | 1975 | FGR.2 | Lightning F.3/F.6 (1975) | 1987 | [119] | ||
No. 31 Squadron | 1971 | FGR.2 | Close Air Support/Tactical Strike | Canberra PR.7[Y] (1971) | 1976 | Jaguar GR.1 | [120] |
No. 41 Squadron | 1972 | FGR.2 | Tactical Reconnaissance[AA] | Bloodhound Mk.2 SAM (1970) | 1977 | [122] | |
No. 43 Squadron | 1969 | FG.1 | Air Defence | Hunter FGA.9[AB] (1967) | 1989 | Tornado F.3 | [124] |
No. 54 Squadron | 1969 | FGR.2 | Close Air Support/Tactical Strike | Hunter FGA.9 (1969) | 1974 | Jaguar GR.1 | [125] |
No. 56 Squadron | 1976 | FGR.2 | Air Defence | Lightning F.6 (1976) | 1992 | Tornado F.3[AC] | [127] |
No. 64 Squadron[K] | 1968 | FGR.2[AD] | Operational Conversion | Javelin FAW.7/FAW.9[AE] (1967) | 1991 | N/A | [130] |
No. 74 Squadron | 1984 | F.3[AF] | Air Defence | Lightning F.6 (1971) | 1991 | Hawk T.1A[Z] | [115] |
No. 92 Squadron | 1977 | FGR.2 | Lightning F.2A (1977) | 1992 | [131] | ||
No. 111 Squadron | 1974 | FGR.2[AG] | Lightning F.3/F.6 (1974) | 1990 | Tornado F.3 | [132] | |
No. 1435 Flight | 1988 | FGR.2 | N/A[AH] | 1992 | [133] | ||
Phantom Training Flight[AI] | 1972 | FG.1 | Operational Conversion | N/A | 1978 | N/A | [33] |
1991 | FGR.2 | Refresher Training | 1992 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ 16 ft 9 in (5.11 m) with Radar Warning Receiver[3]
- ^ a b Royal Air Force aircraft only[6][7]
- ^ Fleet Air Arm aircraft only[6]
- ^ a b RAF Phantoms stationed in Germany were assigned to the nuclear strike role between 1968 and 1974, when they began to be transferred to the air defence mission. The Fleet Air Arm instead employed the Buccaneer in the nuclear strike role using the UK developed WE.177 weapon.[8]
- ^ Phantoms serving in the RAF were also capable of carrying the SUU-23/A gun pod, which featured a 20mm M61 rotary cannon
- ^ a b c Originally selected, but subsequently rejected by the UK and retained for further service with the US Navy and US Marine Corps.[12]
- ^ Dropped from helicopter during transport for conversion to F-4J(UK).[15]
- ^ Other Phantoms are also on display in the UK – a former United States Air Force F-4C version (63-7699) is preserved at the Midland Air Museum in Coventry; the museum has a second F-4C (63-7414) that was used as a spares source for the display example.[18] A third F-4C, painted to represent 65-0777, is mounted on display at the "Wings of Liberty Airpark" at RAF Lakenheath.[19] An ex-United States Marine Corps F-4S (BuNo 155848) at the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune.[20]
- ^ Phantoms were assigned to two separate elements within the A&AEE – 'A' Squadron was the Fast Jet Evaluation element, to which the majority of aircraft earmarked for testing were allocated, while 'C' Squadron was the Naval Testing element, intended to clear the aircraft for operation at sea. Both FG.1s and FGR.2s were assigned to 'A' Squadron, but only FG.1s were used by 'C' Squadron.[34]
- ^ 892 NAS deployed to sea aboard Ark Royal for the last time in April 1978. On 27 November 1978, while the ship was still in the Mediterranean, the air group disembarked for the final time, with the aircraft delivered to RAF St Athan to be handed over to the RAF.[35] 892 NAS was finally disbanded on 15 December 1978.[36]
- ^ a b c No. 64 Squadron was the "shadow" squadron number of No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit[128]
- ^ No. 228 OCU was originally formed in August 1968, and was assigned the shadow squadron identity of No. 64 Squadron in July 1970.[33]
- ^ Phantoms from the A&AEE's 'C' Squadron were initially deployed to Eagle to undertake a series of approaches and touch-and-go landings in March 1969; the aircraft operated from land while the ship was working up in the English Channel.[39] Then, in June, A&AEE aircraft operated from Eagle undertaking full flight deck trials, including both catapult launch and arrested recovery.[40]
- ^ The deployment to Saratoga was to allow 892 NAS to undertake carrier qualifications while Ark Royal was still in refit.[42]
- ^ On loan from 892 Naval Air Squadron.[45]
- ^ The aircrew survived, but two civilians on the ground were killed.[48]
- ^ Both the crew of the Phantom and the pilot of the second aircraft were killed.[58]
- ^ 700 NAS is the assigned number to all units evaluating new aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm[100]
- ^ As 700H NAS[101]
- ^ a b Upon being disbanded, 700P NAS formed the nucleus of 892 NAS[102]
- ^ As 700S NAS[103]
- ^ The Attacker was used as a trainer for deck landing control officers[104]
- ^ Phantom conversion training was undertaken by the Phantom Training Flight following the disbanding of 767 NAS[105]
- ^ Following the decommissioning of HMS Ark Royal in 1978, the Royal Navy was no longer able to operate conventional fixed wing aircraft at sea. The British Aerospace Sea Harrier was introduced into both the air defence (replacing the Phantom) and strike (replacing the Buccaneer) roles in the Fleet Air Arm with 800 NAS and 801 NAS in 1980[106]
- ^ a b The Canberra was used in the tactical reconnaissance role[112]
- ^ a b The instances where the Phantom was replaced in squadron service by the Hawk were a result of the "Options for Change" defence cuts, with the squadrons being transferred to training roles[114][115][116]
- ^ 41 Squadron converted to this role from being an air defence SAM squadron[121]
- ^ The Hunter was used in the close air support role[123]
- ^ This unit became the "shadow" squadron number of 229 OCU, the Tornado OCU[126]
- ^ No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit was the training unit for the FGR.2 from 1968 until 1978, with training on the FG.1 provided first by 767 Naval Air Squadron, and then the Phantom Training Flight. 228 OCU assumed responsibility for all Phantom training in 1978.[33]
- ^ The Javelin squadron was an operational interceptor unit[129]
- ^ No. 74 Squadron converted to the FGR.2 in 1991 prior to disbanding[33]
- ^ No. 111 Squadron converted to the FG.1 in 1979[33]
- ^ The original No. 1435 Flight served from December 1941 to April 1945[133]
- ^ The Phantom Training Flight was originally established in 1972 as the FG.1 conversion unit following the disbanding of 767 NAS. It was later reformed to provide refresher training on the FGR.2 in the final year of RAF Phantom operations.[33]
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