McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service - data

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Royal Navy Phantom in 1977 McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom FG1, UK - Navy AN1343800.jpg
Royal Navy Phantom in 1977

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 The Phantom began to be replaced by the air defence variant of the Panavia Tornado from 1987, and was finally withdrawn from service in 1992.

Contents

Basic specifications

Comparison of variants [1] [2]
Variant designationImagePowerplantSpeed (at 40,000 ft)CeilingRangeWeightWingspanLengthHeightProduction total
US UK EmptyMaximum
F-4KFG.1 [1] XV574 (16109566141).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) [A] 52
F-4MFGR.2 [1] McDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR2, UK - Air Force AN1869946.jpg 2 x Rolls-Royce Spey 202/204 low-bypass turbofan118
F-4J(UK)F.3 [2] McDonnell F-4J Phantom F3, UK - Air Force AN1523526.jpg 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

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]

Diagrammatic representation of Phantom weapon stations F-4 Phantom hardpoints diagram.png
Diagrammatic representation of Phantom weapon stations
Phantom FGR.2 with a fuel tank on station 9; LAU-7/A rails with missiles on stations 8; a missile on station 6; and a gun pod on station 5 McDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR2, UK - Air Force AN1352457.jpg
Phantom FGR.2 with a fuel tank on station 9; LAU-7/A rails with missiles on stations 8; a missile on station 6; and a gun pod on station 5
NameTypeNotesWeapons stations
987654321
Gun
SUU-23/A [B] Gun podUtilised in air-to-air and air-to-ground rolesGreen check.svg
Air-to-Air weapons
AIM-7E Sparrow SARH air-to-air missile Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
Skyflash Development of Sparrow with inverse monopulse seeker Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
AIM-9 Sidewinder IR air-to-air missileInitially fitted with AIM-9G before upgrading to AIM-9LGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
Air-to-Ground weapons
MC Mk13 1000lb bomb General-purpose bomb Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
M2 540lb bombGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
BL755 Cluster bomb Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
Matra Type 116 rocket pod [B] Rocket podFor carriage of SNEB 68mm rocket projectileGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
Microcell No.7 rocket pod [C] For carriage of RP2 2-inch rocket projectileGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
Special weapons
B43 variable yield thermonuclear bomb [D] Tactical nuclear weaponVariable yield of 70 kilotons to 1 megatonGreen check.svg
B57 variable yield nuclear bomb [D] Variable yield of 5 kilotons to 20 kilotonsGreen check.svg
Reconnaissance
EMI podReconnaissance podContained side-looking radar, infrared linescan
and multiple cameras
Green check.svg
LS-93 Night FlashContained camera with night flash capability;
installed in 370 gallon fuel tank
Green check.svgGreen check.svg
KB-18A Strike cameraGreen check.svg
Fuel tanks
600 gallon external tank Fuel tankGreen check.svg
Sargent Fletcher 370 gallon external tankGreen check.svgGreen check.svg

Comparison of Phantom FG.1 with Sea Vixen and Lightning

Comparison of Sea Vixen FAW.2, [9] Lightning F.6 [10] and Phantom FG.1 [1]
AircraftPowerplantThrust
(each engine)
Speed
(at 40,000 ft)
CeilingRangeArmament
(air defence)
Avionics
CombatMaximum
Sea Vixen [9] Sea vixen xp924 g-cvix kemble arp.jpg 2 x Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.208 turbojets11,000 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] English Electric Lightning F6, UK - Air Force AN0753347.jpg 2 x Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.301 turbojets12,690 lbf (56.4 kN)
dry thrust

16,360 lbf (72.8 kN)
with afterburner

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] McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom FG1, UK - Air Force AN2253954.jpg 2 x Rolls-Royce Spey Mk.203 turbofans12,140 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)

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; three of these were subsequently upgraded to F-4S standard for continued service in the US Navy, while the fourth was lost at sea during a ferry flight as an underslung helicopter load. [12] [13] [14] Of the fifteen airframes ultimately selected for the RAF, seven had previously seen active service in Vietnam. [15]

F-4J Phantom in flight VX-4 1969.jpg
BuNo 153783 of VX-4 in its original incarnation in 1969
Phantom ZE352 (V) RAF - 20-21 juin 1987 - Chievres (2).jpg
Ex-153783 in its second incarnation as ZE352 of No. 74 Squadron in 1987
F-4J Phantom VF-114 in flight 1972.jpg
BuNo 155784 of VF-114 in 1972; this was one of the originally selected airframes that was subsequently rejected
BuNo NumberUnited States serviceFate RAF serial
USNUSMCVietnam
combat?
153768To RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE350
153773To RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE351
153783To RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE352
153785Green check.svgTo RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE353
153795Green check.svgTo RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE354
153803Green check.svgTo RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE355
153824Upgraded to F-4S [F]
153850Green check.svgTo RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE356
153892To RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE357
155510To RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE358
155529Green check.svgTo RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE359
155574To RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE360
155734To RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE361
155755Green check.svgTo RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE362
155784Green check.svgUpgraded to F-4S [F]
155841Lost during transport [G]
155849Upgraded to F-4S [F]
155868To RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE363
155894Green check.svgTo RAF as F-4J(UK)ZE364

List of surviving complete aircraft and aircraft sections

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]

McDonnell Phantom FG.1 'XT596' (49935567756).jpg
YF-4K Phantom XT596 at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton.
McD Phantom FGR2 XV424 at RAF Museum Hendon.jpg
F-4M Phantom XV424 at the RAF Museum, Hendon.
McDonnell F-4J Phantom II '155529 - AJ-114' (24197935271).jpg
F-4J(UK) Phantom ZE359 in its original identity as BuNo 155529 of VF-74 at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.
RAF Museum Cosford - DSC08464.JPG
Nose section of F-4K Phantom XV591 at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands
Aircraft serialVariantFirst UK operatorFinal UK operatorFateNotes
XT596YF-4KRolls-Royce British Aerospace Preserved (Yeovilton)Oldest preserved UK Phantom [21]
XT597F-4KMinistry of Defence
(Procurement Executive)
Aeroplane and Armament
Experimental Establishment
Preserved (Kemble)Final UK Phantom to fly [22]
Under restoration by BPAG [23]
XT863F-4K700P Naval Air SquadronNo. 43 SquadronScrappedNose section stored (Cowes)
XT864F-4K700P Naval Air SquadronNo. 111 SquadronPreserved (Lisburn)
XT891F-4MNo. 228 OCUNo. 74 SquadronPreserved (Coningsby) Gate guardian
XT895F-4MNo. 228 OCUNo. 74 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved
XT899F-4MNo. 228 OCUNo. 19 SquadronPreserved (Kbely)
XT903F-4MNo. 228 OCUNo. 56 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Cosford)
XT905F-4MNo. 54 SquadronNo. 74 SquadronPreserved (Kemble)Under restoration by BPAG [24]
XT914F-4MNo. 228 OCUNo. 74 SquadronPreserved (Wattisham)
XV399F-4MNo. 228 OCUNo. 56 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Vik)
XV401F-4MNo. 228 OCUNo. 74 SquadronPreserved (Bentwaters)
XV402F-4MNo. 31 SquadronNo. 56 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved
XV406F-4MMinistry of DefenceNo. 228 OCUPreserved (Carlisle)
XV408F-4MNo. 6 SquadronNo. 92 SquadronPreserved (Tangmere)
XV409F-4MNo. 228 OCUNo. 1435 FlightScrappedNose section preserved (Stanley)
XV415F-4MNo. 54 SquadronNo. 56 SquadronPreserved (Boulmer)Gate guardian
XV419F-4MNo. 54 SquadronNo. 19 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Ruthin)
XV424F-4MNo. 6 SquadronNo. 56 SquadronPreserved (Hendon)
XV426F-4MNo. 31 SquadronNo. 56 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Norwich) [25]
XV460F-4MNo. 14 SquadronNo. 74 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Bentwaters)
XV470F-4MNo. 2 SquadronNo. 56 SquadronStored (Akrotiri)
XV474F-4MNo. 17 SquadronNo. 74 SquadronPreserved (Duxford)First Phantom in air superiority grey [26]
XV489F-4MNo. 2 SquadronNo. 92 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved
XV490F-4MNo. 54 SquadronNo. 74 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Newark)
XV497F-4MNo. 41 SquadronNo. 74 SquadronPreserved (Flixton)Final RAF Phantom to fly [1]
XV499F-4MNo. 228 OCUNo. 74 SquadronScrappedNose section stored (St Athan)
XV581F-4KNo. 43 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Aberdeen)
XV582F-4KNo. 43 SquadronNo. 228 OCUPreserved (St Athan)
XV586F-4K892 Naval Air SquadronNo. 43 SquadronPreserved (Yeovilton)
XV591F-4K892 Naval Air SquadronNo. 111 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Cosford)
ZE350F-4J(UK)No. 74 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Adelaide)
Preserved in US Navy livery [27]
ZE352F-4J(UK)No. 74 SquadronScrappedNose section preserved (Preston)
ZE359F-4J(UK)No. 74 SquadronPreserved (Duxford)Preserved in US Navy livery [28]
ZE360F-4J(UK)No. 74 SquadronPreserved (Kemble)Formerly used for firefighting training
Under restoration by BPAG [29]

Phantom bases

Phantom Taking the RHAG at Stanley 1984.jpg
A Phantom of No. 23 Squadron catches the wire upon landing at RAF Stanley.
Phantom FG.1 on cat of HMS Ark Royal (R09) 1970.jpg
A Phantom attached to the A&AEE on the flight deck of HMS Ark Royal.

Accidents and incidents

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]

DateVariantAircraft serialOperatorLocationCountryFatalitiesDescriptionNotes
9 July 1969FGR.2XV395No. 6 Squadron Horncastle, Lincolnshire Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to loss of hydraulic pressure leading to locking of controls [44]
3 May 1970FG.1XV566 A&AEE [O] Lyme Bay, Dorset Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crashed into Lyme Bay; no trace of aircraft found [45]
19 May 1971FG.1XT862767 Naval Air SquadronOff Newquay, Cornwall Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to engine flameout [46]
29 June 1971FG.1XV565892 Naval Air SquadronOff Mayport, Florida Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 0Crash while undertaking low level air combat manoeuvring [47]
12 October 1971FGR.2XV479No. 54 Squadron Holstebro, Holstebro Municipality Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 0+2 [P] Crash due to engine failure [48]
15 October 1971FGR.2XT904No. 228 OCUOff Cromer, Norfolk Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash following loss of aerodynamic control in spin [49]
10 January 1972FG.1XT876767 Naval Air Squadron Trevose Head, CornwallFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1Crash following loss of aerodynamic control in spin [50]
14 February 1972FGR.2XT913No. 228 OCUOff Happisburgh, NorfolkFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to hydraulic failure [51]
20 November 1972FGR.2XV477No. 6 SquadronScarrowmanwick Fell, Cumbria Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crash into Fell as a result of attempt to climb to altitude due to poor visibility at lower level [52]
1 June 1973FGR.2XV397No. 17 Squadron Kempen, North Rhine-Westphalia Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany 1Crash following steep dive as a result of instrument failure [53]
25 June 1973FGR.2XV440No. 31 SquadronOff Vlieland, Friesland Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2Crash believed to be due to pilot error [54]
17 July 1973FG.1XT871892 Naval Air Squadron Firth of Forth Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to engine failure [55]
22 August 1973FGR.2XV427No. 17 SquadronArfeld, North-Rhine WestphaliaFlag of Germany.svg  West Germany 2Crashed into high-ground during low level sortie [56]
15 October 1973FG.1XT869892 Naval Air Squadron Tentsmuir Forest, Fife Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to engine failure [57]
9 August 1974 FGR.2XV493No. 41 Squadron Fordham Fen, NorfolkFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2+1 [Q] Crash following mid-air collision [58]
11 October 1974FGR.2XV431No. 31 Squadron RAF Brüggen Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany 0Crash due to wing tips being left unlocked and folding on take-off [59]
21 November 1974FGR.2XV441No. 14 Squadron Maasbree, Limburg Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 0Crash due to engine fire on take-off [60]
3 March 1975FGR.2XV416No. 111 Squadron Coningsby, LincolnshireFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to engine failure [61]
18 September 1975FG.1XV580No. 43 Squadron Kirriemuir, Tayside Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to loss of control during practice sortie for air display [62]
24 November 1975FGR.2XV405No. 228 OCU Skegness, LincolnshireFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to loss of control [63]
17 December 1975FGR.2XV463No. 41 Squadron Mawbray, CumbriaFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crash due to loss of control [64]
23 July 1976FGR.2XV417No. 29 Squadron Mablethorpe, LincolnshireFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash during air combat manoeuvring when wing tip folded due to loose securing bolt [65]
18 May 1977FG.1XV588892 Naval Air Squadron RAF Leuchars Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Aircraft burnt out due to engine fire during aborted take-off [66]
12 May 1978FG.1XT868892 Naval Air SquadronRAF LeucharsFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1Crash due to engine flameout [67]
24 July 1978FGR.2XV483No. 92 SquadronDrenke, North-Rhine WestphaliaFlag of Germany.svg  West Germany 2Crash during practice intercept [68]
4 August 1978FGR.2XV403No. 111 SquadronOff Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crash during practice intercept [69]
23 November 1978FG.1XT598No. 111 Squadron St Andrews Bay, FifeFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crash during landing approach [70]
28 February 1979FG.1XV578No. 111 SquadronOff Montrose, Angus Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to engine failure [71]
5 March 1980FGR.2XV436No. 29 Squadron RAF Coningsby Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Aircraft ran off runway having missed arrestor cable following hydraulic failure [72]
3 June 1980FG.1XV589No. 111 Squadron RAF Alconbury Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to loss of aerodynamic stability from nose radome unlocking and folding back [73]
11 July 1980FGR.2XV418No. 92 Squadron Lohne, Lower Saxony Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany 2Crash due to loss of control during manoeuvring [74]
12 November 1980FGR.2XV413No. 29 SquadronOff Cromer, NorfolkFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crashed into the North Sea during night flying [75]
9 December 1980FGR.2XV414No. 23 SquadronOff Great Yarmouth, NorfolkFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to fire caused by ignition of fuel leak [76]
9 July 1981FG.1XT866No. 43 SquadronRAF LeucharsFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash on landing due to loss of control as a result of slipstream [77]
14 April 1982FGR.2XT912No. 228 OCU Billinghay, LincolnshireFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to mid-air collision with second aircraft in formation [78]
7 July 1982FGR.2XV491No. 29 SquadronOff Cromer, NorfolkFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crash in fog due to faulty altimeter [79]
17 October 1983FGR.2XV484No. 23 Squadron Mount Usbourne, Falkland Islands Flag of the Falkland Islands.svg  Falkland Islands 2Crashed into mountain following descent through cloud [80]
31 July 1985FG.1XT857No. 111 SquadronRAF LeucharsFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Aircraft overran runway on landing [81]
7 January 1986FGR.2XV434No. 29 Squadron Walden Head, North Yorkshire Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash due to loss of control [82]
3 July 1986FGR.2XV471No. 19 SquadronRath-Anhoven, North-Rhine WestphaliaFlag of Germany.svg  West Germany 0Crash due to fire destroying stabilator control unit, leading to total loss of control [83]
26 August 1987F.3ZE358No. 74 SquadronPant-y-Gwair, Dyfed Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crash while undertaking low level air combat manoeuvring [84]
7 September 1987FG.1XT861No. 43 SquadronOff Firth of Tay, Perthshire Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash as a result of mid-air collision [85]
20 April 1988FG.1XT860No. 43 Squadron Leuchars, FifeFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crash as a result of poor visibility due to sea fog [86]
2 August 1988FGR.2XV501No. 56 Squadron Mayenne, Pays de la Loire Flag of France.svg  France 0Crash due to loss of control during practice intercept [87]
23 September 1988FGR.2XV428No. 228 OCU RAF Abingdon Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2Crash during aerobatic manoeuvre [88]
18 October 1988FGR.2XV437No. 92 Squadron Holzminden, Lower SaxonyFlag of Germany.svg  West Germany 0Crash due to engine failure [89]
9 January 1989FGR.2XT908No. 228 OCUOff Dundee, Tayside Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1Crash due to loss of control following pilot loss of consciousness [90]
24 April 1989FGR.2XT893No. 56 Squadron Flamborough Head, North YorkshireFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Crash following loss of aerodynamic control in spin [91]
1 April 1990FGR.2XV478No. 19 Squadron RAF Wildenrath Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany 0Aircraft caught fire while on the ground [92]
30 April 1990FGR.2XV402No. 56 Squadron RAF Valley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Aircraft caught fire during landing due to tyre burst [93]
9 October 1990FGR.2XV394No. 92 SquadronRAF WildenrathFlag of Germany.svg  Germany 0Aircraft sustained minor damage on landing - not repaired due to imminent retirement of type [94]
8 January 1991FGR.2XV462No. 19 SquadronOff Limassol, Limassol District Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 0Crash due to uncontrollable roll [95]
12 August 1991FGR.2XV438No. 56 Squadron RAF Wattisham Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Aircraft damaged due to mid-air collision - not repaired due to imminent retirement of type [96]
30 October 1991FGR.2XV421No. 1435 FlightOff McBrides Head, Falkland IslandsFlag of the Falkland Islands.svg  Falkland Islands 2Crash believed due to crew disorientation in cloud [97]
15 July 1992FGR.2XV473No. 56 Squadron RAF Waddington Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 0Aircraft damaged by faulty fuel pump - not repaired due to imminent retirement of type [98]

Phantom units

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]

UnitFormedVariantRolePrevious operations (withdrawn)DisbandedReplaced byReference
700P Naval Air Squadron 1968FG.1Operational Evaluation [R] Wessex HAS.3 [S] (1967)1969 [T] Sea King HAS.1 [U] [32]
767 Naval Air Squadron 1969Operational Conversion Attacker FB.2 (1955) [V] 1972N/A [W] [32]
892 Naval Air Squadron 1969 [T] Fleet Air Defence Sea Vixen FAW.2 (1969)1978N/A [X] [107]
No. 2 Squadron 1970FGR.2Tactical Reconnaissance Hunter FR.10 (1970)1976 Jaguar GR.1 [108] [109]
No. 6 Squadron 1969FGR.2Close Air Support/Tactical Strike Canberra B.16 (1969)1974 [110]
No. 14 Squadron 1970FGR.2 Canberra B(I).8 (1970)1975 [111]
No. 17 Squadron 1970FGR.2 Canberra PR.7 [Y] (1970)1975 [113]
No. 19 Squadron 1977FGR.2Air Defence Lightning F.2A (1977)1992 Hawk T.1 [Z] [117]
No. 23 Squadron 1975FGR.2 Lightning F.3/F.6 (1975)1988 Tornado F.3 [118]
No. 29 Squadron 1975FGR.2 Lightning F.3/F.6 (1975)1987 [119]
No. 31 Squadron 1971FGR.2Close Air Support/Tactical Strike Canberra PR.7 [Y] (1971)1976 Jaguar GR.1 [120]
No. 41 Squadron 1972FGR.2Tactical Reconnaissance [AA] Bloodhound Mk.2 SAM (1970)1977 [122]
No. 43 Squadron 1969FG.1Air Defence Hunter FGA.9 [AB] (1967)1989 Tornado F.3 [124]
No. 54 Squadron 1969FGR.2Close Air Support/Tactical Strike Hunter FGA.9 (1969)1974 Jaguar GR.1 [125]
No. 56 Squadron 1976FGR.2Air Defence Lightning F.6 (1976)1992 Tornado F.3 [AC] [127]
No. 64 Squadron [K] 1968FGR.2 [AD] Operational Conversion Javelin FAW.7/FAW.9 [AE] (1967)1991N/A [130]
No. 74 Squadron 1984F.3 [AF] Air Defence Lightning F.6 (1971)1991 Hawk T.1A [Z] [115]
No. 92 Squadron 1977FGR.2 Lightning F.2A (1977)1992 [131]
No. 111 Squadron 1974FGR.2 [AG] Lightning F.3/F.6 (1974)1990 Tornado F.3 [132]
No. 1435 Flight 1988FGR.2N/A [AH] 1992 [133]
Phantom Training Flight [AI] 1972FG.1Operational ConversionN/A1978N/A [33]
1991FGR.2Refresher Training1992

Notes

  1. 16 ft 9 in (5.11 m) with Radar Warning Receiver [3]
  2. 1 2 Royal Air Force aircraft only [6] [7]
  3. Fleet Air Arm aircraft only [6]
  4. 1 2 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]
  5. Phantoms serving in the RAF were also capable of carrying the SUU-23/A gun pod, which featured a 20mm M61 rotary cannon
  6. 1 2 3 Originally selected, but subsequently rejected by the UK and retained for further service with the US Navy and US Marine Corps. [12]
  7. Dropped from helicopter during transport for conversion to F-4J(UK). [14]
  8. 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]
  9. 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]
  10. 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]
  11. 1 2 3 No. 64 Squadron was the "shadow" squadron number of No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit [128]
  12. No. 228 OCU was originally formed in August 1968, and was assigned the shadow squadron identity of No. 64 Squadron in July 1970. [33]
  13. 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]
  14. The deployment to Saratoga was to allow 892 NAS to undertake carrier qualifications while Ark Royal was still in refit. [42]
  15. On loan from 892 Naval Air Squadron. [45]
  16. The aircrew survived, but two civilians on the ground were killed. [48]
  17. Both the crew of the Phantom and the pilot of the second aircraft were killed. [58]
  18. 700 NAS is the assigned number to all units evaluating new aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm [100]
  19. As 700H NAS [101]
  20. 1 2 Upon being disbanded, 700P NAS formed the nucleus of 892 NAS [102]
  21. As 700S NAS [103]
  22. The Attacker was used as a trainer for deck landing control officers [104]
  23. Phantom conversion training was undertaken by the Phantom Training Flight following the disbanding of 767 NAS [105]
  24. 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]
  25. 1 2 The Canberra was used in the tactical reconnaissance role [112]
  26. 1 2 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]
  27. 41 Squadron converted to this role from being an air defence SAM squadron [121]
  28. The Hunter was used in the close air support role [123]
  29. This unit became the "shadow" squadron number of 229 OCU, the Tornado OCU [126]
  30. 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]
  31. The Javelin squadron was an operational interceptor unit [129]
  32. No. 74 Squadron converted to the FGR.2 in 1991 prior to disbanding [33]
  33. No. 111 Squadron converted to the FG.1 in 1979 [33]
  34. The original No. 1435 Flight served from December 1941 to April 1945 [133]
  35. 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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