FighterControl

The Phantom was always a favourite of the UK aircraft spotter so here are a few early shots of Royal Navy aircraft that came into RAF use at Coningsby which I hope are of interest. The Navy models had a bit of a different 'career' path' to the RAF models. Just a bit of background too for your interest....

As usual 'boat loads' of politics and economics steered the procurement of the Phantom into U.K. service.

Initially a 'courtesy' visit of McDonnell Douglas's new Phantom F-4B U.S. Navy demonstrator into Yeovilton after visiting the Paris Air Show in 1961 played quite a strategic role in RN thinking. In the course of time we ordered the Phantom for RAF and Royal Navy operations.. but it had to have our RR Spey engines, and numerous other mods which effectively made an 'off the shelf' frame into a bespoke and expensive procurement.

The RN requirement of 140 aircraft was greatly reduced with eventually 48 of the Navy model F-4K or FG.1 being received, with 20 of those being diverted to RAF use by 43 Squadron. First deliveries to the RN were made in April 1968. Early sea trials on board the USS Saratoga had created big problems of burnt and buckled deck plates due to the longer extension of the nose wheel leg and higher power of the RR Spey engines ! therefore to be compatible with our carrier(s) necessitated mods to the deck... more cost. In the end only HMS Ark Royal got clearance for the mods, hence diversion of aircraft to RAF use.

Operations by 892 Squadron (RN) continued through to late November 1978 when their final aircraft were flown to RAF St.Athan for transfer over to the RAF Maintenance Unit, the squadron disbandment taking place at RAF Leuchars on 15th December 1978. Ex. RN FG.1 aircraft were passed to 111 Squadron at Leuchars who then passed their FGR.2 (F-4M) RAF Phantoms out to the rest of the fleet.
These shots are of the ex. Royal Navy FG.1 models, allocated to 111 Squadron, being placed into temporary store in the 'Battle of Britain' hangar at Coningsby on 12th May 1979, plus a couple of naval model FG.1's operated by 43 Squadron.

XV573 : D




XV592






Alconbury Air Day 28th June 1975 XV576 : D and XV583 : G of 43 Squadron






Mildenhall Air Fete 4th July 1976 XV579 : R 43 Sqdn.




Some camo' RAF FGR.2 Phantoms to follow next time...

Just fantastic, love the Phantom, big thanks for posting these,

Rob

Bring them back, spotting as it was. Great times had by all. Cheers for those
Dave

Ah yes, the good old days....

Great shots as always Keith.

Nice set

Revokes some early memories there, great stuff.

Interesting back story and great pics

Thanks for sharing

Kev

Hi Keith

Some unrepeatable gems there

Still a menacing-looking beast after all these years

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

Thanks for sharing these, I was lucky enough to see RN Phantoms in service, my first time was at a rather damp Biggin Hill Air Fair in 1969. I think there's some black & white photos somewhere.

Never get enough of F-4s.Great pictures and history.

Superb images and history

Very interesting, surprised these were taken 1979, my first visit to Coningsby must have been early 1980's and I dont remember seeing any camo Phantoms just grey ones.
Bit of thread drift, if there were Phantoms in the BBMF hangar, where were the BBMF based, thought they arrived in 1976 from Colitshall ?

They had a Canberra and Lightning on rebuild in there at one point. Amazing what you can fit in that hangar when needed.

Doughnut wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 14, 2022 4:32 pm

Very interesting, surprised these were taken 1979, my first visit to Coningsby must have been early 1980's and I dont remember seeing any camo Phantoms just grey ones.
Bit of thread drift, if there were Phantoms in the BBMF hangar, where were the BBMF based, thought they arrived in 1976 from Colitshall ?

You're correct Doughnut, the BBMF did arrive from Coltishall in 1976 (my first log of them was on 5th March 1976). In this hangar shot clearly the Lancaster is 'not at home' but a Spitfire roundel can be seen under the tail of XV573 : D so the fighters were in residence.
The unmarked XV592 had been marked up as 'L' in full 111 Sq. marks within a short time and was displayed the Waddington Open Day a few weeks later on 16th June 1979.
The Phantoms were systematically resprayed into the grey scheme as they rotated for major service into St.Athan. Camouflaged frames were still around in the early 80's. Thankfully I've still got my old log books and of course K25 /K64 slides were printed with date of process as a 'cross check'

Vulcanone wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 14, 2022 6:38 pm

They had a Canberra and Lightning on rebuild in there at one point. Amazing what you can fit in that hangar when needed.

Indeed you're correct too Tim, on that day 12th May my log book notes there was a 360Sq. T.17 Canberra WH872 : W tucked away in the back and also another 111 Sq. FG.1 Phantom XT873 : A
Things were a little crowded as I also noted that XT857 : C had an engine removed onto a trolley while on the flight line.

111 Sq. built up their fleet up to the end of 1979 , and they were operating XT873:A, XV583:B, XT857:C, XV573:D, XT874:E, XV584:F, XV575:G, XT867:H, XV419:J (last FGR.2) XT892:K, XV592:L

Thanks to all for the comments

Excellent post