One of the most prominent Phantom users is the Turkish Air Force ("Türk Hava Kuvvetleri" or THK), which operates about 233 F-4s. It’s interesting that with the new camouflage was also changed size of national insignia. Under the Peace Trout program, one RF-4E upgrade had an ELINT system installed in the nose, based on the APR-39 of the F-4G. These were similar to the RF-4C, but, as for the F-4EJs, Japanese-built radar warning receivers and other equipment were substituted to replace equipment which was not released for export to Japan. [72], On 22 June 2012, the Turkish government announced that Syrian forces had shot down a Turkish RF-4E from 113 Filo with two crew members over the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Hatay Province, which borders the Syrian Latakia Governorate. However, assistance from U.S. advisors in 1985 made it possible to reach a reasonable serviceability rate, and in 1988 another seven F-4s were delivered. The 338th "Ares" Squadron had an air-to-surface role. The costs sustained in the upgrades had incurred a delay in AMRAAM acquisition. The aircraft is reported to have been conducting a reconnaissance flight off the Syrian coast. This was a unique situation, until the phasing out of the Fulcrums.[17]. [12], In July 1989, the first F-4F ICE Phase 2 aircraft was completed, and on 22 November 1991 the first firing of an AIM-120 AMRAAM took place. [34][41], During the Yom Kippur War it was reported that one Israeli F-4 Squadron was put on alert for a nuclear strike, but not confirmed. In March 1963, McDonnell Douglas offered to provide the RAAF with a modified version of the F-4C, the model 98DX, fitted with SNECMA Atar 9 engines. [citation needed], In the 21st century, the Iranian government still has between 50 and 75 F-4s in service. Hussein had equipped his air force with new aircraft, such as the MiG-23 and believed that Iran was in a weakened and vulnerable state following the revolution and subsequent purges. Le migliori offerte per F-4 PHANTOM II GERMANY Luftwaffe McDonnell Douglas F-4F German AirForce Sticker sono su eBay Confronta prezzi e caratteristiche di prodotti nuovi e … L'elevata flessibilità del progetto ha permesso l'evoluzione del Phantom fino ad includere versio… In 1976, these trainers were replaced with 10 F-4Es, which stayed in the U.S. One of the "F"s, serial number 72-118, remained at Eglin AFB as an experimental project aircraft. When the aircraft took over the air-defence duties in the 1970s they carried either AIM-9G Sidewinders or AIM-7 Sparrows, and later they would carry the then new British Aerospace Skyflash missile and the updated AIM-9L Sidewinder. Turkey upgraded 54 upgraded to Terminator 2020 configuration. Reconnaissance Phantom updates were carried out during several separate programs. Iraq failed to destroy the Iranian air force bases for several reasons, among them that Iraqi aircraft lacked the range to reach them. The RF-4E acquisition was the result of the recognition that the very limited capabilities of the RF-104G were no longer adequate in the context of the NATO “flexible response” doctri… One was the IRRS (Infrared Recognition System) and the other was the SLAR (Side-Looking Airborne Radar), mounted in the side of the fuselage. The 337th "Ghost" Squadron was equipped in 1978, giving up their Northrop F-5As. Edwin, you seem to be very knowledgeable on t... Hi I recently found a photo of a Sunderland t... Hi Nico The need to replace their Canberra B.20s was frustrated by the delay in the development of the F-111. As of 2007, Japan has a fleet of 90 F-4s currently in service. Aviation Images > Walkarounds > Airplanes > F-4 Phantom II. In the strike role the FGR.2s could carry the SNEB rocket pod, 1,000 lb (454 kg) bomb, the BL755 Cluster Bomb Unit, and U.S.-supplied B28, B43, B57 or B61 nuclear weapons. In conjunction with this, many anniversary schemes were used on Phantoms. [5] The Spey gave an increase of 10% in operational range, 15% increase in ferry range and better low-level acceleration,[5] however the increased drag of the engine installation resulted in poorer performance at high altitude. [22], The first 18 Greek Phantoms entered in service in 1974, partially funded by U.S. military assistance under "Operation Icarus". [19] JG 73 retired its last F-4F in 2002 and replaced it with Eurofighters in 2003, while the last F-4F left JG-74 in March 2008. After 25 years of service the Phantoms ended their RAF career: as a result of the Options for Change military budget reduction in 1990, it was decided to phase out the Phantom. Let Let Let – Warplanes. [6], Under the September 1977 Peace Pharaoh agreement, 35 ex-31 TFW F-4Es along with a number of Sparrow, Sidewinder and Maverick missiles were supplied to the EAF for US$594 million and served with 76 and 78 Squadrons of the 222 Fighter Regiment. [59][61], In Spanish Air Force use, the F-4Cs were designated "C.12" (C stood for "Caza" and 12 stood for "12th fighter type in service since the creation of the Ejército del Aire"). AIRFIGHTERS.COM - Military Aircraft Photos. The surplus aircraft were supplied to Allied NATO nations, with 32 sent to Turkey and 20 to Greece. [32], Israel first expressed interest in the F-4 in 1965,[33] but the U.S. was unwilling to provide them at that time. [13], The first F-4 model to enter German service was the RF-4E. It also lost the financial support of the other Arab states, and Saudi Arabia cancelled its plans to send Egypt 50 F-5s. Luftwaffe F4 Phantom Photo Report Air Planes Paper Models Military Aircraft Air Force Fighter Jets Wings. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Al Quwwat al Jawwiya il Misriya (Egyptian Air Force or EAF) encountered Israeli F-4s during fighting between the two states, especially during the later stages of the War of Attrition and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. [34], The first aircraft delivered were F-4Es, provided under the "Peace Echo" program, authorized on 7 January 1968, by president Lyndon Johnson, and supported by Senator Robert F. However, the 1966 Defence White Paper saw the cancellation of the CVA-01 project, with the Royal Navy's Phantom order cut to 48. Units equipped with F-4F included Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richthofen", Wittmund, commencing in May 1974, and Jagdgeschwader 74 "Mölders", Neuburg an der Donau, September 1975. While Ark Royal was undergoing conversion, the FG.1 underwent successful deck trials aboard Eagle. 1 and 6 Squadrons, both based at RAAF Base Amberley. Their F-4Es were equipped with digital processors for the APG-120, laser inertial navigation systems, digital data buses, smoke-reduction systems and various structural improvements. The aircraft were totally overhauled at Naval Air Station North Island and fitted with AWG-10B radar (having Skyflash missile guidance capability, with monopulse I band sensor), smokeless engines and provision for Skyflash missiles. This engine was already used in the RAAF's Mirage IIIOs, but the French turbojet was inferior to the General Electric J79, and the RAAF chose instead to order the F-111C Aardvark which had a greater range.[4]. During a border clash in June 1975, these F-4s, armed with AGM-65 Maverick missiles defeated an Iraqi armored ground formation. [34] After several weeks of combat, losses included four F-4s delivered under the Nickel Grass program. [38][39] During the war Israeli Phantoms first used the new AGM-65 Maverick missile. After the war Peace Echo V provided Israel with 24 new, 24 ex-USAF and 6 RF-4Es, completing the program in November 1976. Oct 12, 2016 - AIRFIGHTERS.COM - Military Aircraft Photos. RAL 6003, RAL 7021, FS 34079 and RAL 9005, NORM 90 In 1992, the first batch of six upgraded aircraft was delivered to JG 71 (Fighter Wing 71), but the AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles were not available at that time. In 1992–94 the EFA program was reviewed by German Defence Minister Volker Rühe and there was extensive debate about the Luftwaffe' s future. [8] While further purchases of F-4s and upgrades were considered, these plans were rejected in favour of additional orders for F-16s. This was reconsidered due to the cost of that version and instead, under the Peace Rhine program, the Luftwaffe purchased the F-4F, which was based on the F-4E. Two German Air Force F-4F Phantom aircraft fly in formation during a refueling mission near Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall, United Kingdom (GRB). [71], In September 2010, U.S. Army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Tamara Parker confirmed a combined Chinese-Turkish exercise that ran from 20 September through 4 October at the Konya air base in Turkey's central Anatolia region. In the 1980s, the Tornado started to replace the Phantom in the air-defence role. [29] On 30 November 2014, Al Jazeera reported that an Iranian F-4 had conducted an airstrike in Iraq against Islamic State militants. Ordered in July 1964,[85] this was the first time the U.S. permitted export of the Phantom, with the first F-4K flying on 27 June 1966. The deployment of a squadron of Phantom FGR.2s to the Falkland Islands after the 1982 War left a gap in the RAF's air defences. The U.S. State Department proposed trading Egypt new military hardware in exchange for military aircraft made in the USSR, including MiG-21s, and the newer MiG-23s delivered to them by the Soviets prior to their breakdown of relations in 1976. [84], New multifunction display in the front cockpit plus two in the rear, new Kaiser El-OP 976 wide-angle HUD and HOTAS system, high-performance Elta EL/M-2032 ISAR-capable high-resolution SAR/GMTI (ground moving target indicator) multi-mode fire-control radar (developed for the IAI Lavi), IAIC mission computer, new navigation equipment including GPS/INS connected to mapping mode, dual MIL-STD-553B databus managing avionics package, Astronautics Central Air Data Computer, new UHF and IFF packages, airborne video tape recorder (AVTR), Elta EL/L-8222 active ECM pod and Mikes (Aselsan) AN/ALQ-178V3 passive embedded SPEWS, and RWR. Under Operation Peace Pheasant these were delivered to the RoKaF 152 and 153 TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron), 17th TFW at Chongju. The F-4Cs were assigned to Escuadrones 121 and 122, Ala 12 (Wing). [70], At the end of the 20th century, the following THK units operated Phantoms:[70], Following cancellation of the supersonic V/STOL Hawker Siddeley P.1154, the Royal Navy selected the Phantom as a replacement for the Supermarine Scimitar and de Havilland Sea Vixen. Vi offriamo di scaricare sfondi McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Air Force, la Germania, la caccia-intercettore, Luftwaffe, Forze Armate tedesche, aerei militari da un insieme di categorie aerei per la relativa delibera del monitor per la registrazione gratuita e senza. On 22 June 1970, the contract was signed, and the first of 24 new F-4Es arrived the following September. ", "ASN Aircraft accident 24-FEB-2015 McDonnell Douglas RF-4E Phantom II", "LOCAL - Two Turkish fighter jets crash, killing four", "Four dead as two Turkish military jets crash: official", "Turkish military aircraft crashes, two pilots dead", "Call to scrap F-4s renewed at pilots' funeral", Baughers Index of Phantom Operators and Variants, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McDonnell_Douglas_F-4_Phantom_II_non-U.S._operators&oldid=991331346, Lists of aircraft operators by aircraft type, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2007, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron: RF-4E, 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron: F-4D and F-4E, 33rd Tactical Fighter Squadron: F-4D and F-4E, 62nd Tactical Fighter Squadron: F-4D and F-4E. Filo 173 at the same base was the Operational Conversion Unit. [13] [59][60], Deliveries occurred between October 1971 and September 1972 under Peace Alfa. In 1982, an AIM-9-armed Phantom FGR.2 returning from a Quick Reaction Alert over Germany accidentally shot down a Royal Air Force Jaguar GR.1.[93]. There were 12 ex-USAF 460 TRG (Tactical Reconnaissance Group, disbanded in 1990) that were sent to the South Korean 131st TRS (Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron), 39 TRG, at Suwon Air Base, along with another 11 sent later. [34], Japan selected the F-4 Phantom II as its new fighter at the end of the 1960s. The Air Force had already been forced to cancel an order for F-18s, which had been the winner of their new fighter competition and instead bought F-16 Fighting Falcons. Up to five MiGs were shot down when eight Israeli Mirages, flying at low level, jumped them, achieving complete surprise. That same day another F-4 strike hit the Damascus HQ of the Syrian Army.[34]. ", "Downing of Turkish jet unlikely to spark international intervention in Syrian conflict. [12] In 1971 the new West German Luftwaffe was only 16 years old, having been formed in 1955. Fifteen F-4EJs were also converted to RF-4EJ configuration, which, while mounting no internal cameras, carried podded reconnaissance equipment. [5] Shortly after on 9 December 1969, the first Israeli F-4 was downed by an Egyptian pilot, 1st Lts Ahmad Atef, flying a Mig-21 F-13. The first Phantoms delivered to the THK had Southeast Asia camouflage colors and TISEO equipment, consisting of a wing-mounted television camera with zoom capacity for spotting targets outside of normal visual range. Although not deployed in a war role RAF Phantoms were involved in air-defence duties on Quick Reaction Alert. The F-111C program was resumed in December 1971. The IDF Phantoms received Elbit Jason digital bombing computers, Litton LW-33 inertial navigation systems, new radar warning receivers, TISEO and combat slats. These included 40 Aeritalia F-104Ss, the improved Starfighter, with the same missiles and engines as used on the Phantoms. [23], The last batch of 40 Phantoms was not delivered due to the political situation in Greece, but with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the US-led Operation Desert Storm liberation, the situation changed. Aeromaster 48-558 for the Brit F-4 Phantom II. The Iranian forces surprised him and fought back effectively. Seoul ordered 18 ex-USAF F-4Ds, which were quickly delivered under the Peace Spectator program. [85], To ease the impact on employment in the UK aircraft industry from the cancellation of home-grown programs, the aircraft had a high British content. [47], Fourteen RF-4Es were delivered between November 1974 and June 1975. [70], Small strakes above the air intakes to improve agility, new attachment fittings, engine mountings, stronger wing fold ribs, updated canopy sill bar, 12 mi (20 km) of wiring replaced (reducing weight by 1,653 lb/750 kg) as well as most hydraulic and pneumatic lines and hoses, and fuel tank reinforcements. The F-4EJ Kai upgrade added several other air-to-surface weapons to the F-4, including bombs and rockets. This boosted their capabilities in the anti-shipping role; filling in for the indigenous Mitsubishi F-1s which were too few in number and lacked range, and the P-3Cs which were too slow, even if well-armed with Harpoon missiles. [87] The units equipped were 700P Naval Air Squadron trials unit, 767 Naval Air Squadron training unit, and a single operational squadron, 892 Naval Air Squadron, all home based at Yeovilton. The RF-4E equipped the 501st, that had previously operated one of the less-well-known Sabre models, the RF-86F. That was an interesting read on Wyve... Hello Barry, what an amazing find!! Fleet Air Arm Phantoms were fitted with a double-telescoping front landing gear strut that could extend 40 in (102 cm), the increased angle of attack being necessary for catapult launches from the smaller British carriers. 30 F-4Es were equipped with the AGM-142 "Popeye" stand-off air-to-surface missile; a modern Israeli weapon also purchased by the USAF,[55] Royal Australian Air Force and the Turkish Air Force. By 1990, Phantom losses were 21 F-4Fs and 15 RF-4Es. Greece upgraded 39 to Peace Icarus 2000 standard. F-4 Phantom II - Luftwaffe - Clean Style Aufkleber. The 501st at that time operated the RF-4E. The SA-6 uses semi-active radar homing and was paired with the 1S91 "Straight Flush" fire control and guidance radar, which operates in the G, H, I and J bands, making it very difficult to jam with the AN/ALQ-87 ECM pods that were supplied by the Americans prior to the conflict. With the Tornado ADV still some years from operational service, the RAF purchased 15 second-hand former U.S. Navy F-4J aircraft, chosen from among the best stored at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and upgraded to a level almost equal to the F-4S. Before these aircraft arrived the THK had operated fighters such as the F-104 Starfighter, F-100 Super Sabre, F-84 Thunderflash and the F-86 Sabre, plus the economical F-5 Freedom Fighter. [29], After the fall of the Shah in the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the situation changed dramatically. Some of the maneuvers were quite effective, but the SA-6 threat was only reduced on 9 October 1973 when A-4s surprised many SA-6 batteries without their missiles ready to fire and destroyed them. ", "Military Spokesman: Anti-Air Defenses Intercepted a Target That Violated Syrian Airspace Over Territorial Waters, Shot It Down West of Lattakia. The lack of AMRAAMs was a serious handicap and the MiG 29s were retained for longer than had been planned. The first eight were sent to George AFB where crew training was carried out. Take a shot! ", "Turkey Locates Fighter Jet Shot Down By Syria. In 1971 the new West German Luftwaffe was only 16 years old, having been formed in 1955. [49][53], The F-4EJ Kai first flew on 17 July 1984, and first entered service on 24 November 1989 to the JASDF 306th Squadron. [34], Israeli F-4Es scored 116.5 aerial victories against Arab aircraft, including two Su-7s shot down on 9 September 1972 and a Libyan Boeing 727 in January 1973. LUFTWAFFE F4 PHANTOM ARRIVAL - WADDINGTON 2012 (airshowvision) Here is the first airshowvision instalment from the Waddington International Airshow 2012, and features possibly the final visit in England of the McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantom of the German Air Force, before it is replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon. Missions were generally flown at low level and high speed, using the installed APQ-99 radar for navigation. On Jan. 2, 1967, around 30 U.S. Air Force F-4 Phantom fighter jets flying from Ubon in Thailand shot down a full third of North Vietnam’s MiG-21s—for a loss of just one of their own. The next 11 aircraft were assembled in Japan and the first Japanese-built example flew on 12 May 1972. The bombing system was the anglicized version of the Lear/Siegler AN/ABJ-7. Some FGR.2s were equipped with dual controls, and others could carry a reconnaissance pod that was equipped with a Texas Instruments RS-700 infrared linescan unit, high-definition sideways-looking radar and five optical cameras. [citation needed], The U.S. did not have enough RF-4s to sell to meet international demands, so when the German Air Force phased out their remaining 88 RF-4Es during 1992–93, 32 were delivered to the THK in 1992–94. This camouflage was proven effective when the aircraft was on the ground but not effective when airborne. The new SA-6 Gainful surface-to-air missile (SAM) system and the radar-guided ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAGs) were much more effective than the old SA-2 Guideline. 24 German F-4F Phantom IIs were operated by the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing of the USAF at Holloman AFB to train Luftwaffe crews until December 2004. [22], The RF-4E reconnaissance versions were retired on 5 May 2017 and 348 Squadron was deactivated. Under the Peace Diamond I program 40 F-4Es were ordered, with deliveries starting in June 1974, although completion of the order was delayed by an arms embargo following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. In August 1995, after a hotly contested competition with DASA (F-4 ICE), IAI was awarded a USD600M contract to upgrade 54 F-4Es to Phantom 2000s. [citation needed]. The Australian aircrews praised the choice and the F-4Es were so well received that their popularity threatened the F-111C order at one point. Germany upgraded 110 to ICE configuration. German F-4Fs flew 279,000 hours from entering service on 31 August 1973 until retirement. The German Air Force retired its last operational F-4F Phantom IIs on 29 June 2013. [81][82] Calls to scrap the F-4s and replace them with the fifth generation F-35s were renewed. F-4s took part in interdiction missions against oil tankers using AGM-65 Maverick missiles and even AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, while bombs were not used, probably due to shortages. The AIM-9B and F were replaced with the "L" version Sidewinder. The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) initially ordered the reconnaissance RF-4E in 1969, receiving a total of 88 aircraft from January 1971. Last of Germany's fleet will be retired on 29 June 2013.The F-4F "Phantom II" German is a modified derivative of the F-4E in service with the U.S. Air Force, built largely by German companies under license.Luftwaffe … (in Italian), McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in Australian service, 348th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron "Eyes", 338th Fighter-Bomber Squadron "Aris/Mars", McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in UK service, Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, "Index of Phantom Variants and Operators. "[75] The statement went on to claim that the aircraft was found to be a "Turkish military plane that entered Syrian airspace and was dealt with according to laws observed in such cases". Luftwaffe Phantoms - The Early Years. In 1980–83, the F-4F fleet was fitted with air-refueling probes, utilizing USAF tankers to make longer flights to Canada and Spain. [36] Late June and early July 1970 was a difficult time for the new F-4s, with two shot down by SAMs on 30 June, another on 5 July and two on 18 July. Cooper, Nicole, Arab Migs, Volume 4, Attrition War 1969-1973, p. 101, 102, Rollino, Paolo. [74] Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said "the downing was an accident, caused by the "automatic response" of an officer commanding an anti-aircraft gun. [91], With the cancellation of home-grown programmes and the need to replace the Hawker Hunter and English Electric Canberra in the ground-attack and tactical reconnaissance roles, the RAF ordered 118 aircraft in 1965. ", "Phantom with Royal Australian Air Force. "Turkish F-4 Phantoms defeated Chinese Su-27s in exercises. ", "Japan narrows next-generation fighter requirement choice. The Greek F-4s were upgraded to a similar standard as the Luftwaffe F-4F ICE, including APG-65 radar, a GEC-Marconi HUD and GPS/INS. Republic of Korea Air Force, ROKAF was supplied with F-4s in the late 1960s, due to ongoing tension with North Korea. Phantom units “Richthofen” and “Mölders” were used to test this new camouflage. Spain has employed F-4Cs as spares since 1989. They were able to do this in 1993 when the Luftwaffe phased out their RF-4Es, and 29 ex-Luftwaffe aircraft were added to the 348th Mira. The Nihon Koku Jietai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force, JASDF) received a total of 154 F-4EJ and RF-4Es. While the F-4EJs were built almost entirely by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the RF-4Es were bought directly from McDonnell-Douglas. IAI was ruled out because it was already involved with the Greek's historical adversary, Turkey, upgrading their own Phantoms at this time. [41], Israeli Phantoms have suffered at least 55 combat losses but accounted for 116.5 claimed air victories. The last Phantom squadron, 74 Squadron was disbanded on 1 October 1992. [11], The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) operated a total of 175 F-4Fs, 10 F-4Es (for training at U.S. airfields) and 88 RF-4Es making it one of the most prolific Phantom customers.[12].