> COLLECTION > AIRCRAFT > FAST JETS > Phantom FG.1
PHANTOM FG.1
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
Model: Phantom FG.1
(Fighter/Ground attack)
Registration: "007" / XT864
UAS Location: Hangar 2
Served with: 111 Squadron, Royal Navy 700, 767, and 892 NAS
Maximum Speed: 1,386 mph at 40,000 ft / 1.9 mach at altitude
Cruise Speed: 200mph
Engines: 2 x Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans 203s
Service Ceiling: 57,200ft
Ordnance: 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs; 4 x AIM-7 Sparrow or Skyflash AAMs; 1 x SUU-23/A Cannon Pod, various bombs & rockets.
Length & Height: 57ft & 16ft 1"
Wing Span: 38ft 5"
Production: 52 (incl. 2 prototypes)
Operating Life: 1968 ~ 1988
An interesting BLOG page on the Phantom "Phacts" of what made this an FG.1 (F-4K) variant.
Image: ALAN JARDEN
Image: ALAN JARDEN
Professional 20-minute documentary about the Ulster Aviation Society's Phantom FG.1 "007" (was "XT864") acquisition from RAF Leuchars in Scotland, its subsequent disassembly and transportation to their hangars in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, then re-assembly, restoration, and new paint scheme in fabulous Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm) colours as "007". Written & Directed by Stephen Riley. Production Editor: Mark J. Cairns
Image: MARK J. CAIRNS
Image: MARK J. CAIRNS
Restoration images of the UAS Phantom
Airfix and Corgi models of Phantom “007”
Image: MARK J. CAIRNS
Image: MARK J. CAIRNS
Watch a
YouTube Review on the Airfix Phantom FG.1 HERE
Buy the Corgi Phantom FG.1 HERE
Phantom FG.1 “007” revealed after restoration
History of the Phantom FG.1
The UK bought Phantom versions based on the U.S. Navy's F-4J for use by both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. The UK was the only country outside the USA to operate the Phantoms at sea, launching them from HMS Ark Royal aircraft carrier.
The main differences between the F-4J and FG.1 were the use of the British Rolls-Royce Spey engines and inclusion of British-made avionics. The Royal Navy and RAF versions were given the designation F-4K and F-4M respectively, and entered service with the British military aircraft designations Phantom FG.1 (fighter / ground attack) and Phantom FGR.2 (fighter / ground attack / reconnaissance).
Initially, the Phantom FGR.2 was used in the ground attack and reconnaissance role, primarily with RAF Germany, while 43 Squadron was formed in the air defence role using the FG.1s that had been intended for the Fleet Air Arm for use aboard HMS Eagle.
The superiority of the Phantom over the ageing English Electric Lightning in terms of both range and weapons load, combined with the successful introduction of the SEPECAT Jaguar, meant that, during the mid-70s, most of the ground attack Phantoms in Germany were redeployed to the UK to replace air defence Lightning squadrons. A second RAF squadron, 111 Squadron, was formed with the FG.1 in 1979 after 892 NAS was disbanded.
In 1982, during the Falklands War, three Phantom FGR2s of No. 29 Squadron were on active Quick Reaction Alert duty around Ascension Island to protect the base from air attack.
After the Falklands War, 15 upgraded ex-USN F-4Js, known as the F-4J (UK) entered RAF service to compensate for one interceptor squadron redeployed to the Falklands.
Around 15 RAF squadrons received various types of Phantom, many of them based in Germany. The first to be equipped was No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Coningsby in August 1968.
One noteworthy operator was No. 43 Squadron where Phantom FG.1s remained the squadron equipment for 20 years, arriving in September 1969 and departing in July 1989. During this period the squadron was based at Leuchars, where XT864 / "007" was the gate guardian after retirement and where the UAS brough it from.
The interceptor Phantoms were eventually replaced by the Panavia Tornado F3 from the late 1980s onwards, and the last British Phantoms were finally retired in October 1992 when No. 74 Squadron was disbanded.
Image: MARK J. CAIRNS