Jump to content

McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service - data

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Royal Navy Phantom in 1977

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 interceptors. 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 The Phantom began to be replaced by the Panavia Tornado ADV from 1987, and was finally withdrawn from service in 1992.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]
Comparison of variants[citation needed]
Variant Powerplant Speed (at 40,000 ft) Ceiling Range Weight Wingspan Length Height Production total
Empty Maximum
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)[i] 52
FGR.2[3] 2 x Rolls-Royce Spey 202/204 low-bypass turbofan 118
F.3[4] 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]
Comparison of Sea Vixen FAW.2,[5] Lightning F.6[6] and Phantom FG.1[1]
Aircraft Powerplant Thrust
(each engine) 		Speed
(at 40,000 ft) 		Ceiling Range Armament
(air defence) 		Avionics
Combat Maximum
Sea Vixen 2 x Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.208 turbojets 11,000 lbf (49 kN) 700 mph (1,100 km/h)[citation needed] 48,000 ft (15,000 m)[citation needed] 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 2 x Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.301 turbojets 12,690 lbf (56.4 kN)
dry thrust

16,360 lbf (72.8 kN)
with afterburner

1,500 mph (2,400 km/h)[citation needed] 60,000 ft (18,000 m)[citation needed] 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 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)[citation needed] 57,200 ft (17,400 m)[citation needed] 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.[7]

YF-4K Phantom XT596 at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton
F-4M Phantom XV424 at the RAF Museum, Hendon
F-4J(UK) Phantom ZE359 in its original identity as BuNo 155529 of VF-74 at the Imperial War Museum Duxford
Aircraft serial Variant First UK operator Final UK operator Fate Notes
XT596 YF-4K Rolls-Royce British Aerospace Preserved (Yeovilton) Oldest preserved UK Phantom[8]
XT597 F-4K Ministry of Defence (Procurement Executive) Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment Preserved (Bentwaters) Final UK Phantom to fly[9]
Under restoration by BPAG[10]
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[11]
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[12]
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[13]
ZE360 F-4J(UK) No. 74 Squadron Preserved (Manston) Formerly used for firefighting training
Under restoration by BPAG[14]

Phantom bases

[edit]

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] [15]
767 Naval Air Squadron 1969 Operational Conversion Attacker FB.2 (1955)[vi] 1972 N/A[vii] [15]
892 Naval Air Squadron 1969 Fleet Air Defence Sea Vixen FAW.2 (1969) 1978 no replacement [viii] [23]
2 Squadron 1970 FGR.2 Tactical Reconnaissance Hunter FR.10 (1970) 1976 Jaguar GR.1 [24][25]
6 Squadron 1969 FGR.2 Close Air Support/Tactical Strike Canberra B.16 (1969) 1974 [26]
14 Squadron 1970 FGR.2 Canberra B(I).8 (1970) 1975 [27]
17 Squadron 1970 FGR.2 Canberra PR.7[ix] (1970) 1975 [29]
19 Squadron 1977 FGR.2 Air Defence Lightning F.2A (1977) 1992 Hawk T.1[x] [33]
23 Squadron 1975 FGR.2 Lightning F.3/F.6 (1975) 1988 Tornado F.3 [34]
29 Squadron 1975 FGR.2 Lightning F.3/F.6 (1975) 1987 [35]
31 Squadron 1971 FGR.2 Close Air Support/Tactical Strike Canberra PR.7[ix] (1971) 1976 Jaguar GR.1 [36]
41 Squadron 1972 FGR.2 Tactical Reconnaissance[xi] Bloodhound Mk.2 SAM (1970) 1977 [38]
43 Squadron 1969 FG.1 Air Defence Hunter FGA.9[xii] (1967) 1989 Tornado F.3 [40]
54 Squadron 1969 FGR.2 Close Air Support/Tactical Strike Hunter FGA.9 (1969) 1974 Jaguar GR.1 [41]
56 Squadron 1976 FGR.2 Air Defence Lightning F.6 (1976) 1992 Tornado F.3[xiii] [43]
64 Squadron[ii] 1968 FGR.2[xiv] Operational Conversion Javelin FAW.7/FAW.9[xv] (1967) 1991 N/A [46]
74 Squadron 1984 F.3[xvi] Air Defence Lightning F.6 (1971) 1991 Hawk T.1A[x] [31]
92 Squadron 1977 FGR.2 Lightning F.2A (1977) 1992 [47]
111 Squadron 1974 FGR.2[xvii] Lightning F.3/F.6 (1974) 1990 Tornado F.3 [48]
1435 Flight 1988 FGR.2 N/A[xviii] 1992 [49]
Phantom Training Flight[xix] 1972 FG.1 Operational Conversion N/A 1978 N/A [16]
1991 FGR.2 Refresher Training 1992

References

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ 16 ft 9 in (5.11 m) with Radar Warning Receiver[2]
  2. ^ a b c 64 Squadron was the "shadow" squadron number of 228 OCU[44]
  3. ^ 700 NAS is the assigned number to all units evaluating new aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm[17]
  4. ^ As 700H NAS[18]
  5. ^ As 700S NAS[19]
  6. ^ The Attacker was used as a trainer for deck landing control officers[20]
  7. ^ Phantom conversion training was undertaken by the Phantom Training Flight following the disbanding of 767 NAS[21]
  8. ^ 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[22]
  9. ^ a b The Canberra was used in the tactical reconnaissance role[28]
  10. ^ 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[30][31][32]
  11. ^ 41 Squadron converted to this role from being an air defence SAM squadron[37]
  12. ^ The Hunter was used in the close air support role[39]
  13. ^ This unit became the "shadow" squadron number of 229 OCU, the Tornado OCU[42]
  14. ^ 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.[16]
  15. ^ The Javelin squadron was an operational interceptor unit[45]
  16. ^ 74 Squadron converted to the FGR.2 in 1991 prior to disbanding[16]
  17. ^ 111 Squadron converted to the FG.1 in 1979[16]
  18. ^ The original 1435 Flight served from December 1941 to April 1945[49]
  19. ^ 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.[16]
Citations
  1. ^ a b "McDonnell Phantom FG1". Fleet Air Arm Museum. Archived from the original on 2 April 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  2. ^ Gledhill 2017, p. 48
  3. ^ "Data". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  4. ^ "McDonnell Douglas YF-4J Phantom II". Pima Air & Space Museum. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. ^ Hobbs 1982, p. 20.
  6. ^ "English Electric Lightning". BAE Systems. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Aircraft Histories". The Phantom Shrine. Corsair Publishing. 3 December 2019. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Parson, Gary (23 June 2002). "Midsummer Phantom". airsceneuk.org.uk. Archived from the original on 8 September 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  10. ^ "F-4K (FG.1) XT597". BPAG. British Phantom Aviation Group. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Museum Aircraft". Bentwaters Cold War Museum. 2023. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "F-4J(UK) ZE360". BPAG. British Phantom Aviation Group. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  15. ^ a b c Hobbs 1982, p. 38.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h "Royal Air Force Phantom Squadrons". RAF Yearbook. IAT Publishing: 16–18. 1992.
  17. ^ Martin, Terry; Jeram-Croft, Larry (2019). The Royal Navy Wasp: An Operational and Retirement History. Barsnley: Pen & Sword. p. 31. ISBN 978-1526721143.
  18. ^ Hobbs 1982, p. 60
  19. ^ Hobbs 1982, p. 66
  20. ^ McLellend 2017, p. 141
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ Hobbs 1982, p. 8
  23. ^ HMS Ark Royal 1970–73 Commissioning Book (PDF). p. 75. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 April 2022.
  24. ^ "2 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  25. ^ Walpole, Martin (2006). Best of Breed: The Hunter in Fighter Reconnaissance. Barsnley: Pen & Sword. p. 88. ISBN 978-1844154128.
  26. ^ "6 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  27. ^ "14 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  28. ^ Barrymore-Halpenny, Bruce (2014). English Electric Canberra: The History and Development of a Classic Jet. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. p. 203. ISBN 978-1783461905.
  29. ^ "17 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  30. ^ "No 19 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ "No 92 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  33. ^ "19 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  34. ^ "23 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  35. ^ "29 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  36. ^ "31 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  37. ^ "No 41 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  38. ^ "41 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  39. ^ Smith Watson, Ian (2018). History of the Gloster Javelin. Stroud: Fonthill Media. p. 157. ISBN 978-1781553749.
  40. ^ "43 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  41. ^ "54 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  42. ^ "No 56 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  43. ^ "56 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  44. ^ Gledhill 2012, p. 186
  45. ^ "No 64 Squadron". National Cold War Exhibition. Royal Air Force Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  46. ^ Gledhill 2012, p. 175
  47. ^ "92 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  48. ^ "111 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  49. ^ 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]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McDonnell_Douglas_Phantom_in_UK_service_-_data&oldid=1240413156"