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McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service

Updated: Wikipedia source

McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was one of the principal combat aircraft of the United Kingdom (UK) from 1968 to 1992. The UK was the first export customer for the US-built F-4 Phantom, which was ordered amid political and economic difficulties that afflicted British designs for similar aircraft. The Phantom was procured to fill several roles with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Air Force (RAF), including air defence, close air support, low-level attack and tactical reconnaissance. Most Phantoms operated by the UK were built as a special batch containing British technology, an effort to support the British aerospace industry after major project cancellations. Two variants were initially built for the UK: the F-4K variant, designed from the outset as an air-defence interceptor to be operated by the Fleet Air Arm from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers; and the F-4M version, operated by the RAF in tactical strike and reconnaissance roles. In the mid-1980s, a third Phantom variant was obtained when 15 second-hand F-4J aircraft were purchased to augment the UK's air defences after the Falklands War. The Phantom entered service with the Fleet Air Arm and the RAF in 1969. In Fleet Air Arm service, it was primarily intended for fleet air defence, with secondary conventional and nuclear strike roles; in the RAF it was soon replaced in its initial tasks by other aircraft designed specifically for strike, close air support and reconnaissance, and was moved to the air-defence mission. By the mid-1970s, the Phantom had become the UK's principal interceptor; it continued in this role until 1992, when it was withdrawn as part of a series of post–Cold War defence cuts.

Infobox

Type
Fleet air defence fighterAir defence interceptor
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
McDonnell Douglas
Status
Retired
Primary user
Fleet Air Arm Royal Air Force
Number built
52 (incl. 2 prototypes)
Serial
mw- XT595 – XT598XT857 – XT876XV565 – XV592XV604 – XV610 (cancelled)
Manufactured
1966–69
Introduction date
Fleet Air Arm: 30 April 1968; 57 years ago (1968-04-30)Royal Air Force: 1 September 1969; 56 years ago (1969-09-01)
First flight
27 June 1966; 59 years ago (1966-06-27)
Retired
Fleet Air Arm: 27 November 1978; 47 years ago (1978-11-27)Royal Air Force: 30 January 1990; 35 years ago (1990-01-30)

Tables

Comparison of UK fleet carriers[66][67] · Operational history › F-4K Phantom FG.1 › Royal Navy
HMS Queen Elizabeth(proposed)
HMS Queen Elizabeth(proposed)
Carrier
HMS Queen Elizabeth(proposed)
Displacement
63,000 long tons (64,000 t)
Length
925 ft (282 m)
Beam
184 ft(56 m)
Size of air group
Up to 50
HMS Ark Royal
HMS Ark Royal
Carrier
HMS Ark Royal
Displacement
53,000 long tons (54,000 t)
Length
803 ft 5 in (244.88 m)
Beam
171 ft(52 m)
Size of air group
39
HMS Eagle
HMS Eagle
Carrier
HMS Eagle
Displacement
54,100 long tons(55,000 metric tons)
Length
811 ft 5 in(247.32 m)
Beam
171 ft(52 m)
Size of air group
41
HMS Victorious
HMS Victorious
Carrier
HMS Victorious
Displacement
35,500 long tons(36,100 metric tons)
Length
781 ft(238 m)
Beam
157 ft(48 m)
Size of air group
33
HMS Hermes
HMS Hermes
Carrier
HMS Hermes
Displacement
28,700 long tons(29,200 metric tons)
Length
744 ft(227 m)
Beam
144.5 ft(44.0 m)
Size of air group
30
Carrier
Displacement
Length
Beam
Size of air group
HMS Queen Elizabeth(proposed)
63,000 long tons (64,000 t)
925 ft (282 m)
184 ft(56 m)
Up to 50
HMS Ark Royal
53,000 long tons (54,000 t)
803 ft 5 in (244.88 m)
171 ft(52 m)
39
HMS Eagle
54,100 long tons(55,000 metric tons)
811 ft 5 in(247.32 m)
171 ft(52 m)
41
HMS Victorious
35,500 long tons(36,100 metric tons)
781 ft(238 m)
157 ft(48 m)
33
HMS Hermes
28,700 long tons(29,200 metric tons)
744 ft(227 m)
144.5 ft(44.0 m)
30
· Replacement › Aircraft that were replaced by and replaced the Phantom
Fleet air defence
Fleet air defence
Role
Fleet air defence
Aircraft replacedby Phantom
Sea Vixen FAW.2
Total number of squadrons
one
Date
1969
Aircraft replacingPhantom
Sea Harrier FRS.1
Total number of squadrons
two
Date
1980
Tacticalreconnaissance
Tacticalreconnaissance
Role
Tacticalreconnaissance
Aircraft replacedby Phantom
Hunter FR.10
Total number of squadrons
one
Date
1970
Aircraft replacingPhantom
Jaguar GR.1
Total number of squadrons
seven
Date
1976
Canberra PR.7
Canberra PR.7
Role
Canberra PR.7
Aircraft replacedby Phantom
two
Close air support /Tactical strike
Close air support /Tactical strike
Role
Close air support /Tactical strike
Aircraft replacedby Phantom
Canberra B.16
Total number of squadrons
one
Date
1969
Aircraft replacingPhantom
1974
Canberra B(I).8
Canberra B(I).8
Role
Canberra B(I).8
Aircraft replacedby Phantom
one
Total number of squadrons
1970
Hunter FGA.9
Hunter FGA.9
Role
Hunter FGA.9
Aircraft replacedby Phantom
two
Total number of squadrons
1969
Air defence
Air defence
Role
Air defence
Aircraft replacedby Phantom
Lightning F.2A
Total number of squadrons
two
Date
1977
Aircraft replacingPhantom
Tornado F.3
Total number of squadrons
four
Date
1987
Lightning F.3
Lightning F.3
Role
Lightning F.3
Aircraft replacedby Phantom
five
Total number of squadrons
1974
Lightning F.6
Lightning F.6
Role
Lightning F.6
Role
Aircraft replacedby Phantom
Total number of squadrons
Date
Aircraft replacingPhantom
Total number of squadrons
Date
Fleet air defence
Sea Vixen FAW.2
one
1969
Sea Harrier FRS.1
two
1980
Tacticalreconnaissance
Hunter FR.10
one
1970
Jaguar GR.1
seven
1976
Canberra PR.7
two
Close air support /Tactical strike
Canberra B.16
one
1969
1974
Canberra B(I).8
one
1970
Hunter FGA.9
two
1969
Air defence
Lightning F.2A
two
1977
Tornado F.3
four
1987
Lightning F.3
five
1974
Lightning F.6
· Accidents and incidents
FG.1
FG.1
Country
FG.1
Variant
FGR.2
Variant
F.3
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Country
United Kingdom
Variant
13
Variant
18
Variant
1
Germany
Germany
Country
Germany
Variant
—
Variant
7
Variant
—
Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
Country
Falkland Islands
Variant
—
Variant
2
Variant
—
Netherlands
Netherlands
Country
Netherlands
Variant
—
Variant
2
Variant
—
Cyprus
Cyprus
Country
Cyprus
Variant
—
Variant
1
Variant
—
Denmark
Denmark
Country
Denmark
Variant
—
Variant
1
Variant
—
France
France
Country
France
Variant
—
Variant
1
Variant
—
United States
United States
Country
United States
Variant
1
Variant
—
Variant
—
Aircraft lost in the UK
Aircraft lost in the UK
Country
Aircraft lost in the UK
England
England
Country
England
Variant
4
Variant
16
Variant
—
Scotland
Scotland
Country
Scotland
Variant
9
Variant
2
Variant
—
Wales
Wales
Country
Wales
Variant
—
Variant
—
Variant
1
Country
Variant
Ref.
FG.1
FGR.2
F.3
United Kingdom
13
18
1
Germany
—
7
—
Falkland Islands
—
2
—
Netherlands
—
2
—
Cyprus
—
1
—
Denmark
—
1
—
France
—
1
—
United States
1
—
—
Aircraft lost in the UK
England
4
16
—
Scotland
9
2
—
Wales
—
—
1
Bases used by Phantom squadrons of the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Air Force (RAF)[88][114] · Phantom bases
Phantom bases in the United Kingdom
Phantom bases in the United Kingdom
Base
Phantom bases in the United Kingdom
RNAS Yeovilton
RNAS Yeovilton
Base
RNAS Yeovilton
Years used
Apr 1968 – Sep 1972
Number of squadrons
3 × RN squadrons
Location map
mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- } html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od .pv> }RAFLeucharsRNASYeoviltonRAFWattishamRAF ConingsbyA&AEE Boscombe Down
RAF Leuchars
RAF Leuchars
Base
RAF Leuchars
Years used
Sep 1969 – Jan 1990
Number of squadrons
1 × RN squadron
3 × RAF squadrons
3 × RAF squadrons
Base
3 × RAF squadrons
1 × RAF flight
1 × RAF flight
Base
1 × RAF flight
RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby
Base
RAF Coningsby
Years used
May 1969 – Apr 1987
Number of squadrons
5 × RAF squadrons
RAF Wattisham
RAF Wattisham
Base
RAF Wattisham
Years used
Nov 1975 – Sep 1992
Number of squadrons
3 × RAF squadrons
1 × RAF flight
1 × RAF flight
Base
1 × RAF flight
A&AEE Boscombe Down
A&AEE Boscombe Down
Base
A&AEE Boscombe Down
Years used
Nov 1968 – Jan 1994
Number of squadrons
2 × A&AEE squadrons
Phantom bases in Germany (map displays North Rhine-Westphalia)
Phantom bases in Germany (map displays North Rhine-Westphalia)
Base
Phantom bases in Germany (map displays North Rhine-Westphalia)
RAF Laarbruch
RAF Laarbruch
Base
RAF Laarbruch
Years used
Dec 1970 – Feb 1976
Number of squadrons
1 × RAF squadron
Location map
RAF BrüggenRAF LaarbruchRAF Wildenrath
RAF Brüggen
RAF Brüggen
Base
RAF Brüggen
Years used
Jun 1970 – Jun 1976
Number of squadrons
3 × RAF squadrons
RAF Wildenrath
RAF Wildenrath
Base
RAF Wildenrath
Years used
Dec 1976 – Jan 1992
Number of squadrons
2 × RAF squadrons
Phantom bases in the Falkland Islands
Phantom bases in the Falkland Islands
Base
Phantom bases in the Falkland Islands
RAF Stanley
RAF Stanley
Base
RAF Stanley
Years used
Oct 1982 – May 1985
Number of squadrons
2 × RAF squadrons
Location map
RAFStanleyRAF Mount Pleasant
RAF Mount Pleasant
RAF Mount Pleasant
Base
RAF Mount Pleasant
Years used
May 1985 – Jun 1992
Number of squadrons
1 × RAF squadron
1 × RAF flight
1 × RAF flight
Base
1 × RAF flight
Base
Years used
Number of squadrons
Location map
Phantom bases in the United Kingdom
RNAS Yeovilton
Apr 1968 – Sep 1972
3 × RN squadrons
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RAF Leuchars
Sep 1969 – Jan 1990
1 × RN squadron
3 × RAF squadrons
1 × RAF flight
RAF Coningsby
May 1969 – Apr 1987
5 × RAF squadrons
RAF Wattisham
Nov 1975 – Sep 1992
3 × RAF squadrons
1 × RAF flight
A&AEE Boscombe Down
Nov 1968 – Jan 1994
2 × A&AEE squadrons
Phantom bases in Germany (map displays North Rhine-Westphalia)
RAF Laarbruch
Dec 1970 – Feb 1976
1 × RAF squadron
RAF BrüggenRAF LaarbruchRAF Wildenrath
RAF Brüggen
Jun 1970 – Jun 1976
3 × RAF squadrons
RAF Wildenrath
Dec 1976 – Jan 1992
2 × RAF squadrons
Phantom bases in the Falkland Islands
RAF Stanley
Oct 1982 – May 1985
2 × RAF squadrons
RAFStanleyRAF Mount Pleasant
RAF Mount Pleasant
May 1985 – Jun 1992
1 × RAF squadron
1 × RAF flight

References

  1. The RN were seeking a two-seat, two-engined interceptor, intended to operate at high level and equipped with a powerful
  2. McDonnell merged with the Douglas Aircraft Company in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas.
  3. The F-4 was the second time that McDonnell had used the name "Phantom" for one of its aircraft, hence it officially bein
  4. The Phantom was also used in the carrier-based role by the United States Marine Corps, and as a land-based interceptor a
  5. The Spey 203, fitted to the F-4K, could generate a maximum of 20,500 lbf (91 kN) of thrust. The J79-10 as fitted to the
  6. The designation F-4L was used for several proposed Phantom variants — Model 98EX was planned as a J79-powered version wi
  7. The United States Air Force operated the F-4C and F-4D versions of the Phantom as both a ground attack aircraft and an i
  8. An additional 51 airframes were initially included in the UK's order that were subsequently cancelled.
  9. The first deck trials were carried out on USS Coral Sea in July 1968.
  10. Phantoms were assigned to two separate elements within the A&AEE – 'A' Squadron was the Fast Jet Evaluation element, to
  11. Although the Phantom was withdrawn from use by the UK armed forces in 1992, it continued in government service until Jan
  12. One of the pre-production F-4K airframes was later upgraded to a full production model for operational service.
  13. Although Eagle and Ark Royal were the largest ships in the UK's carrier fleet, some sources have stated that the plan fo
  14. There were initial plans for as many as four CVA-01 aircraft carriers, replacing Eagle, Ark Royal, Victorious, and Herme
  15. Queen Elizabeth was the name given to the first CVA-01 aircraft carrier prior to the project's cancellation in February
  16. The air group for CVA-01 was to have been made up of 18 Phantoms, 18 Buccaneers, 4 Gannets for AEW (to be replaced by a
  17. Ark Royal's final air group encompassed 12 Phantoms, 14 Buccaneers, 4 Gannets for AEW plus one for COD, 6 ASW helicopter
  18. Eagle's final air group encompassed 14 Sea Vixens, 14 Buccaneers, 4 Gannets for AEW plus one for COD, 6 ASW helicopters,
  19. Victorious's final air group encompassed 11 Sea Vixens, 10 Buccaneers, 4 Gannets for AEW plus one for COD, 6 ASW helicop
  20. Hermes's final air group encompassed 11 Sea Vixens, 7 Buccaneers, 4 Gannets for AEW plus one for COD, 6 ASW helicopters,
  21. Flying squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm use the title "naval air squadron" (NAS).
  22. Under the British designation system, 'F' stands for 'Fighter', 'G' for 'Ground Attack' and 'R' for 'Reconnaissance', an
  23. An Intensive Flying Trials Unit (IFTU) is a Fleet Air Arm unit that specialises in intensive operational testing of new
  24. In June 1959, ten years prior to becoming the first operational Phantom unit, 892 NAS had commissioned as the Fleet Air
  25. 892 NAS was initially formed from the cadre of personnel from 700P NAS after it was disbanded.
  26. The record-breaking flight on 11 May 1969 required two aerial refuellings from Victor tankers of the RAF – one south of
  27. The touch-and-go trials were conducted while Eagle was on post-refit trials in the English Channel, and saw the aircraft
  28. The Phantom used a different launch bridle to other aircraft in the Fleet Air Arm. Because the Phantom's bridle was more
  29. The longer nosewheel oleo of the F-4K caused the aircraft's engines to be directed much lower than the American F-4Js. T
  30. Eagle had undergone a major reconstruction from 1959 to 1964, which had seen her flight deck increased in area and angle
  31. Victorious was paid off in March 1968 following a small fire just prior to the start of her last commission. Hermes was
  32. The intended refit of Eagle had been estimated to cost £15 million in 1968. By the time the ship had been withdrawn, wit
  33. Fleet Air Arm fixed-wing squadrons traditionally decorated the tails of their aircraft with a distinctive marking to ide
  34. During 892 NAS's time at Yeovilton, it was able to take advantage of its home base's location on the north side of the E
  35. The disbanding of 767 NAS, and the transfer of 892 NAS to Leuchars, was part of a wider consolidation of the remaining F
  36. The Fleet Air Arm's use of the Phantom aboard Ark Royal made the UK the only nation other than the United States to oper
  37. Ark Royal embarked 12 Phantoms of 892 NAS on 6 April 1978 alongside Buccaneers of 809 NAS, having departed on its final
  38. The reduction of the number of the Fleet Air Arm's Phantoms also affected the number of Phantoms specifically ordered fo
  39. see data
  40. No. 23 Squadron moved to RAF Wattisham as a Lightning squadron in May 1975, and converted to the Phantom FGR.2 in Februa
  41. No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit, which had the shadow squadron identity of No. 64 Squadron, assumed responsibility f
  42. The first Tornados intended for No. 43 Squadron arrived at Leuchars from RAF Coningsby on 23 September 1989. But, the st
  43. Unlike the Phantom, which was to carry a separate reconnaissance pod containing multiple cameras and other sensors, the
  44. To replace the cancelled F-111K, the RAF began using the Buccaneer, with both examples transferred from the Fleet Air Ar
  45. In addition to the Phantom, RAF Germany also had two squadrons of Buccaneers, equipped with the British built WE.177, op
  46. The Jaguar was used by a total of eight RAF squadrons. Seven converted from the Phantom, with the eighth, No. 20 Squadro
  47. The unit that ultimately became No. 111 Squadron began forming in mid-1974 as No. 111 (Designate) Squadron, using aircra
  48. Because of their location, No. 19 and No. 92 Squadrons were closer to potential threats than interceptor squadrons locat
  49. The new air superiority grey colour was colloquially referred to as "barley grey" in the RAF.
  50. Following the war, the runway at Stanley had to be extended to operate the Phantom. The eventual length, including the t
  51. The Phantom detachment at RAF Stanley operated alongside a detachment of Harrier GR.3 aircraft. Initially known as simpl
  52. The identity of No. 23 Squadron was removed from the Phantom unit at Mount Pleasant on 31 October 1988, and assigned the
  53. No. 1435 Flight had previously operated in the Falklands when, in July 1982, a detachment of Harriers was sent ashore to
  54. A total of seven squadrons ultimately operated the Tornado – No. 5 Squadron and No. 11 Squadron converted from the Light
  55. Options for Change also saw the withdrawal from service of the Buccaneer strike aircraft from the RAF. The Buccaneer had
  56. The disbanding of the two UK-based Phantom squadrons without replacement left responsibility for the UK's air defence to
  57. No. 1435 Flight, the air defence unit in the Falkland Islands, had its four Phantoms replaced by an equivalent number of
  58. The Hellenic Air Force, which had operated the F-4E since 1974, expressed an interest in purchasing some of the RAF's F-
  59. The RAF had also discussed potentially procuring surplus Phantoms from the United States to boost their fighter force du
  60. When the idea to purchase additional aircraft to bolster the UK's air defences following the Falklands conflict was firs
  61. When the RAF were looking for a new Phantom squadron, the F-4S still equipped eight fleet air defence squadrons operatin
  62. Although the majority of the selected airframes were airworthy enough to make the relatively short ferry flight from Dav
  63. On 3 June 1980, a Phantom FG.1 of No. 111 Squadron crashed as a result of the nose swinging open in flight, due to failu
  64. The Phantom exclusively used US weapons in the tactical nuclear strike role. Although work was done to determine the mod
  65. The fire control systems fitted to the UK's Phantoms each utilised a different radar - the AN/AWG-10B fitted to the F-4J
  66. The two aircraft lifts on Ark Royal measured 54 ft (16 m) × 44 ft (13 m) and 54 ft (16 m) × 33 ft (10 m). A Phantom with
  67. Both Eagle and Ark Royal were fitted with a pair of BS5 catapults – the bow catapult had a stroke length of 151 feet, an
  68. By contrast, the Buccaneer, which was operated from Ark Royal at the same time as the Phantom, was pulled down onto its
  69. The Tornado was not equipped to use the Sparrow, and so used Skyflash exclusively.
  70. McDonnell also offered the Phantom as an option when France began looking for a high-performance carrier-based intercept
  71. The Spey was originally developed as an engine for mid-sized airliners including the BAC One-Eleven and Hawker Siddeley
  72. The RB.168-25R was the internal name given by Rolls-Royce to the Mark 201–203 versions of the Spey.
  73. The AFVG (Anglo-French Variable Geometry) was planned as a collaborative project to develop a platform to operate as an
  74. The MRCA was a tri-national project developed by the UK, Germany and Italy.
  75. The camera installation plug would have featured a total of five cameras.
  76. The 30 Phantoms that were specifically wired to use the reconnaissance pod were exclusively distributed to the RAF's two
  77. Although the UK was the only MRCA partner nation involved in the development of the ADV, Italy also operated the aircraf
  78. At the time of the instigation of the Tornado project in the late 1970s, the RAF had seven squadrons of Phantoms in serv
  79. The F-15 was primarily designed as an air superiority fighter rather than a long-range interceptor, which was one of the
  80. The Fleet Air Arm commissioned a total of three operational Sea Harrier squadrons — 800 NAS and 801 NAS were the two ori
  81. Hermes had been proposed as one of the platforms to operate the Phantom, but had been converted into a helicopter only c
  82. There were a total of 16 front-line squadrons to operate the Phantom. The remaining unit, No. 74 Squadron, disbanded as
  83. Following the withdrawal of the Phantom, the identities of the final four squadrons were transferred to reserve units –
  84. Following the decommissioning of Ark Royal in 1978, the RN was no longer able to operate conventional fixed wing aircraf
  85. The second Phantom reconnaissance squadron was formed in 1972, having previously been a Bloodhound surface-to-air missil
  86. The two Canberra reconnaissance squadrons were reformed on the Phantom as close air support units.
  87. One of the close air support Hunter squadrons was reformed on the Phantom in the air defence role.
  88. Under restoration; not on public display
  89. Stored not on display
  90. Serving as gate guardian
  91. Painted in USN VF-74 Squadron markings
  92. Includes West Germany
  93. One of the Fleet Air Arm aircraft lost was on loan to the A&AEE for flight deck trials on Ark Royal following her refit.
  94. Five months after the shootdown incident, the Jaguar pilot was forced to eject a second time during a training flight fr
  95. No. 111 Squadron converted from the FGR.2 to the FG.1 in 1979.
  96. 767 Naval Air Squadron was responsible for all FG.1 training for the Fleet Air Arm and the RAF from 1969 to 1972, when i
  97. The original Phantom Training Flight operated as a dedicated FG.1 conversion unit from 1972 to 1978. The second was rais
  98. No. 74 Squadron converted from the F.3 to the FGR.2 in 1991.
  99. The F-4K was originally specified to be able to carry a total of 2790 gallons of fuel, comprising 1670 gallons internall
  100. The standard weapon fit for QRA duties in the UK and the Falklands for all Phantom variants was generally four Sparrow /
  101. During the Phantom procurement process for the Fleet Air Arm, it was debated whether to purchase the Sidewinder, or use
  102. Fleet Air Arm Phantoms were unable to use Matra rocket pods due to potential interference from high powered electronics
  103. The addition of the RWR cap to the tail raised the aircraft's height to 16 ft 9 in (5.11 m).
  104. Key Aero
    https://web.archive.org/web/20220601160916/https://www.key.aero/article/british-aviation-1952-1962-golden-era-and-dashed-hopes
  105. Flight
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091019135223/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1960/1960%20-%201649.html
  106. Science Museum
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240114200915/https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/ap30234/gloster-aircraft-company
  107. BAE Systems Heritage
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164305/https://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/heritage/av-roe---company--avro-
  108. Flight International
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171201082146/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969%20-%202952.html
  109. Burke 2010, p. 274.
  110. Buttler 2003, pp. 118–119.
  111. Hawker Association Newsletter
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180815233052/http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/hawkerassociation/hanewsletters/hanewsletterpdf/hanewsletter036.pdf?showpage=true
  112. Hobbs 1992, p. 97
  113. Buttler 2003, p. 121
  114. Fort Scott Tribune
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-9QfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4254,5627094&dq=mcdonnell+douglas
  115. National Naval Aviation Museum
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250401090655/https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nnam/explore/collections/aircraft/f/fh-1-phantom.html
  116. Thetford 1994, pp. 254–255.
  117. National Museum of the United States Air Force
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141220141150/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2320
  118. Boeing
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110629053417/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/f4/
  119. McLelland 2017, p. 348.
  120. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
    https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1965/apr/13/aircraft-projects-cancellation
  121. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
    https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1966/feb/22/defence-review
  122. Proctor 2014, p. 122
  123. Davies 2016, p.25
  124. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)
    https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1965/aug/04/phantom-aircraft
  125. Flight
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171205143528/https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1967/1967%20-%201887.PDF
  126. Hobbs 2020, p. 257
  127. Richardson 1984, p. 26.
  128. Spick 1987, p. 60
  129. Chant 2013, p. 434
  130. Turner 1970, p. 76
  131. Tangmere Military Aviation Museum
    https://web.archive.org/web/20220704060917/https://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/aircraft-month/mcdonnell-douglas-phantom-fgr2-f-4m-xv408
  132. McDonnell Douglas 1974, p. 82
  133. McDonnell Douglas 1974, p. 85
  134. McDonnell Douglas 1974, p. 86
  135. Thornborough and Davies 1994, p. 260,
  136. HMS Hermes 1962–1964 commissioning book
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  378. Ellis 2014, Appendix A.
  379. Ellis 2014, p. 29.
  380. Ellis 2014, p. 24.
  381. BPAG
    http://bpag.co.uk/projects/ze360/
  382. BPAG
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240613001030/https://bpag.co.uk/projects/xt905/
  383. BPAG
    https://bpag.co.uk/projects/xt597/
  384. BPAG
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240304055621/https://bpag.co.uk/about/
  385. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/type/F4/1/G
  386. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/type/F4/1/D
  387. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82626
  388. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82637
  389. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82612
  390. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82608
  391. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82636
  392. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82603
  393. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82629
  394. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/139947
  395. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82625
  396. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82600
  397. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82620
  398. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/146457
  399. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/150242
  400. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/150243
  401. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/57888
  402. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82635
  403. Aviation Safety Network
    https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/82634
  404. HMS Ark Royal 1970–73 commissioning book
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160406221540/http://www.axfordsabode.org.uk/pdf-docs/arkroy49.pdf
  405. White 2010, p. 3-6
  406. Roberts 2009, p. 93
  407. Wright 2018, p. 45
  408. Flight International
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121021040224/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1974/1974%20-%201154.html
  409. Piper PA25-235, G-ASVX and Phantom FGR2, XV493. Report on the collision at Fordham Fen, Norfolk, on 9 August 1974
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250821033211/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422fd5ae5274a13140008c3/9-1975_G-ASVX_and_XV493.pdf
  410. Pike 2015, pp. 38–42
  411. Key Aero
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250209185431/https://www.key.aero/article/life-fast-lane-insights-raf-pilot-who-flew-lightning-phantom-and-tornado
  412. UK Serials
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190401110117/https://www.ukserials.com/pdflosses/maas_19800603_xv589.pdf
  413. Pike 2015, pp. 11–12
  414. Facebook
    https://www.facebook.com/BPAGofficial/posts/on-22101981-xt905-was-involved-in-an-unusual-incident-at-raf-coningsby-the-nosew/1581049828939345/
  415. Jaguar Boys
  416. Blue Diamonds: The Exploits of 14 Squadron RAF 1945-2015
  417. Tangmere Military Aviation Museum
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210305003146/https://tangmere-museum.org.uk/artefact-month/sorry-boss-this-was-one-we-could-not-fix
  418. RAF Yearbook
    https://boxartden.com/reference/gallery/index.php/Historical-Library/Royal-Air-Force/RAF-Yearbook-1992/RAF-1992_Page_017-960
  419. McLelland 2017, p. 365
  420. McLelland 2017, p. 365
  421. Aviation Archives
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210620105118/http://www.filefactory.com/file/5n4h7kcu2czt/Royal_Navy%20F-4K%20Phantom%20II%20Report%20.pdf
  422. Wright 2018, p. 42-43
  423. Key Aero
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240222213148/https://www.key.aero/article/life-raf-germany-phantom-squadron
  424. Aeroplane
  425. Red Top / Sidewinder on the Phantom
    https://web.archive.org/web/20231019100332/https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/red-top-missile-performance-all-aspect-capability.32917/#post-375430
  426. Martin 2012, p. 86
  427. Walker 2019, p. 41
  428. Walker 2019, p. 20
  429. Gledhill 2017, p. 48
  430. Wright 2018, p. 50
  431. Pima Air & Space Museum
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201103182357/https://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/mcdonnell-douglas-f-4j/
  432. Wright 2018, p. 45
  433. HMS Ark Royal 1970–73 commissioning book
    https://web.archive.org/web/20220406235308/http://www.axfordsabode.org.uk/pdf-docs/arkroy53.pdf
  434. British Phantom Aviation Group
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250120162425/https://bpag.co.uk/projects/xt597/
  435. Martin 2012, p. 25–26
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