McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service - data
A total of 185 F-4 Phantoms were produced and operated by the United Kingdom between 1968 and 1992. The Phantom replaced the de Havilland Sea Vixen in the Royal Navy fleet air defence role, and was initially procured to replace 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, Phantoms 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. The Phantom began to be replaced by the Panavia Tornado ADV from 1987, and was finally withdrawn from service in 1992.
Basic specifications
[edit]| Variant | Powerplant | Speed (at 40,000 ft) | Ceiling | Range | Weight | Wingspan | Length | Height | Production total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empty | Maximum | ||||||||||
| FG.1[1] | .jpg)
|
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)[i] | 52 |
| FGR.2[1] | 
|
2 x Rolls-Royce Spey 202/204 low-bypass turbofan | 118 | ||||||||
| 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 | |||
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[4] | 
|
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[5] | 
|
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 AAMs 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder short range AAM 1 x 20mm M61 cannon |
Ferranti AN/AWG-11 X-band multi-mode radar |
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.[6]
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| Aircraft serial | Variant | First UK operator | Final UK operator | Fate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XT596 | YF-4K | Rolls-Royce | British Aerospace | Preserved (Yeovilton) | Oldest preserved UK Phantom[7] |
| XT597 | F-4K | Ministry of Defence (Procurement Executive) |
Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment |
Preserved (Bentwaters) | Final UK Phantom to fly[8] Under restoration by BPAG[9] |
| XT863 | F-4K | 700P Naval Air Squadron | No. 43 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (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 |
| 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 | Stored (Bentwaters) | |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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[10] |
| 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 (Bentwaters) | Final RAF Phantom to fly[11] |
| XV581 | F-4K | No. 43 Squadron | Scrapped | Nose section preserved (Aberdeen) | |
| XV582 | F-4K | No. 43 Squadron | No. 228 OCU | Preserved (Bruntingthorpe) | |
| 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 (Tunbridge Wells) | |
| 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[12] | |
| ZE360 | F-4J(UK) | No. 74 Squadron | Preserved (Manston) | Formerly used for firefighting training Under restoration by BPAG[13] | |
Phantom bases
[edit]- United Kingdom[14][15]
- 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
- No. 43 Squadron September 1969 to July 1989
- No. 64 (R) Squadron[ii] April 1987 to January 1991
- No. 111 Squadron July 1974 to January 1990
- Phantom Training Flight August 1972 to May 1978
- RAF Coningsby
- 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. 6 Squadron May 1969 to October 1974
- No. 64 (R) Squadron[ii] August 1986 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
- RNAS Yeovilton
- Germany[15]
- 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[15]
- 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
Phantom units
[edit]| Unit | Formed | Variant | Role | Previous operations (withdrawn) | Disbanded | Replaced by | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 700P Naval Air Squadron | 1968 | FG.1 | Operational Evaluation[iii] | Wessex HAS.3[iv] (1967) | 1969 | Sea King HAS.1[v] | [14] |
| 767 Naval Air Squadron | 1969 | Operational Conversion | Attacker FB.2 (1955)[vi] | 1972 | N/A[vii] | [14] | |
| 892 Naval Air Squadron | 1969 | Fleet Air Defence | Sea Vixen FAW.2 (1969) | 1978 | no replacement [viii] | [22] | |
| 2 Squadron | 1970 | FGR.2 | Tactical Reconnaissance | Hunter FR.10 (1970) | 1976 | Jaguar GR.1 | [23][24] |
| 6 Squadron | 1969 | FGR.2 | Close Air Support/Tactical Strike | Canberra B.16 (1969) | 1974 | [25] | |
| 14 Squadron | 1970 | FGR.2 | Canberra B(I).8 (1970) | 1975 | [26] | ||
| 17 Squadron | 1970 | FGR.2 | Canberra PR.7[ix] (1970) | 1975 | [28] | ||
| 19 Squadron | 1977 | FGR.2 | Air Defence | Lightning F.2A (1977) | 1992 | Hawk T.1[x] | [32] |
| 23 Squadron | 1975 | FGR.2 | Lightning F.3/F.6 (1975) | 1988 | Tornado F.3 | [33] | |
| 29 Squadron | 1975 | FGR.2 | Lightning F.3/F.6 (1975) | 1987 | [34] | ||
| 31 Squadron | 1971 | FGR.2 | Close Air Support/Tactical Strike | Canberra PR.7[ix] (1971) | 1976 | Jaguar GR.1 | [35] |
| 41 Squadron | 1972 | FGR.2 | Tactical Reconnaissance[xi] | Bloodhound Mk.2 SAM (1970) | 1977 | [37] | |
| 43 Squadron | 1969 | FG.1 | Air Defence | Hunter FGA.9[xii] (1967) | 1989 | Tornado F.3 | [39] |
| 54 Squadron | 1969 | FGR.2 | Close Air Support/Tactical Strike | Hunter FGA.9 (1969) | 1974 | Jaguar GR.1 | [40] |
| 56 Squadron | 1976 | FGR.2 | Air Defence | Lightning F.6 (1976) | 1992 | Tornado F.3[xiii] | [42] |
| 64 Squadron[ii] | 1968 | FGR.2[xiv] | Operational Conversion | Javelin FAW.7/FAW.9[xv] (1967) | 1991 | N/A | [45] |
| 74 Squadron | 1984 | F.3[xvi] | Air Defence | Lightning F.6 (1971) | 1991 | Hawk T.1A[x] | [30] |
| 92 Squadron | 1977 | FGR.2 | Lightning F.2A (1977) | 1992 | [46] | ||
| 111 Squadron | 1974 | FGR.2[xvii] | Lightning F.3/F.6 (1974) | 1990 | Tornado F.3 | [47] | |
| 1435 Flight | 1988 | FGR.2 | N/A[xviii] | 1992 | [48] | ||
| Phantom Training Flight[xix] | 1972 | FG.1 | Operational Conversion | N/A | 1978 | N/A | [15] |
| 1991 | FGR.2 | Refresher Training | 1992 |
References
[edit]- Notes
- ^ 16 ft 9 in (5.11 m) with Radar Warning Receiver[3]
- ^ a b c 64 Squadron was the "shadow" squadron number of 228 OCU[43]
- ^ 700 NAS is the assigned number to all units evaluating new aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm[16]
- ^ As 700H NAS[17]
- ^ As 700S NAS[18]
- ^ The Attacker was used as a trainer for deck landing control officers[19]
- ^ Phantom conversion training was undertaken by the Phantom Training Flight following the disbanding of 767 NAS[20]
- ^ 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[21]
- ^ a b The Canberra was used in the tactical reconnaissance role[27]
- ^ 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[29][30][31]
- ^ 41 Squadron converted to this role from being an air defence SAM squadron[36]
- ^ The Hunter was used in the close air support role[38]
- ^ This unit became the "shadow" squadron number of 229 OCU, the Tornado OCU[41]
- ^ 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.[15]
- ^ The Javelin squadron was an operational interceptor unit[44]
- ^ 74 Squadron converted to the FGR.2 in 1991 prior to disbanding[15]
- ^ 111 Squadron converted to the FG.1 in 1979[15]
- ^ The original 1435 Flight served from December 1941 to April 1945[48]
- ^ 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.[15]
- Citations
- ^ a b c d e Calvert, Denis (13 June 2019). "McDonnell F-4K/F-4M Phantom". Key Aero Aeroplane Database. Key Aero. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
- ^ a b "McDonnell Douglas YF-4J Phantom II". Pima Air & Space Museum. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Gledhill 2017, p. 48
- ^ a b Hobbs 1982, p. 20.
- ^ a b "English Electric Lightning". BAE Systems. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
- ^ "Aircraft Histories". The Phantom Shrine. Corsair Publishing. 3 December 2019. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ Burke, Damien (11 January 2012). "XT596 – Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset". Thunder and Lightnings. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ^ Parson, Gary (23 June 2002). "Midsummer Phantom". airsceneuk.org.uk. Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
- ^ "F-4K (FG.1) XT597". BPAG. British Phantom Aviation Group. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ Burke, Damien (11 January 2012). "XV474 – Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire". Thunder and Lightnings. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ^ "Museum Aircraft". Bentwaters Cold War Museum. 2023. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ Burke, Damien (17 April 2005). "155529 – American Air Museum, IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire". Thunder and Lightnings. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ^ "F-4J(UK) ZE360". BPAG. British Phantom Aviation Group. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ a b c Hobbs 1982, p. 38.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Royal Air Force Phantom Squadrons". RAF Yearbook. IAT Publishing: 16–18. 1992.
- ^ Martin, Terry; Jeram-Croft, Larry (2019). The Royal Navy Wasp: An Operational and Retirement History. Barsnley: Pen & Sword. p. 31. ISBN 978-1526721143.
- ^ Hobbs 1982, p. 60
- ^ Hobbs 1982, p. 66
- ^ McLellend 2017, p. 141
- ^ Sir Peter Kirk, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (4 August 1972). "No. 767 Phantom Training Squadron". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). United Kingdom: House of Commons. col. 210W. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020.
- ^ Hobbs 1982, p. 8
- ^ HMS Ark Royal 1970–73 Commissioning Book (PDF). p. 75. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 April 2022.
- ^ "2 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Walpole, Martin (2006). Best of Breed: The Hunter in Fighter Reconnaissance. Barsnley: Pen & Sword. p. 88. ISBN 978-1844154128.
- ^ "6 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "14 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Barrymore-Halpenny, Bruce (2014). English Electric Canberra: The History and Development of a Classic Jet. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. p. 203. ISBN 978-1783461905.
- ^ "17 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "No 19 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ a b "No 74 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "No 92 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "19 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "23 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "29 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "31 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "No 41 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "41 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Smith Watson, Ian (2018). History of the Gloster Javelin. Stroud: Fonthill Media. p. 157. ISBN 978-1781553749.
- ^ "43 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "54 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "No 56 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "56 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Gledhill 2012, p. 186
- ^ "No 64 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ Gledhill 2012, p. 175
- ^ "92 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ "111 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ a b "No 1435 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
Bibliography
[edit]- Baker, A.D. (1998). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World 1998–1999: Their Ships, Aircraft and Systems. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-13017-120-7.
- Gledhill, David (2012). The Phantom in Focus: A Navigator's Eye on Britain's Cold War Warrior. Stroud, UK: Fonthill Media. ISBN 978-1-78155-048-9.
- Gledhill, David (2017). Phantom in the Cold War: RAF Wildenrath, 1977–1992. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-52670-408-5.
- Hobbs, David (1982). Aircraft of the Royal Navy since 1945. Liskeard, UK: Maritime Books. ISBN 978-0-90777-106-7.
- Hobbs, David (2013). British Aircraft Carriers: Design, Development & Service Histories. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-138-0.
- McLelland, Tim (2017). Britain's Cold War Fighters. London, UK: Fonthill. ISBN 978-1-78155-630-6.