Through the Mutual Defense Aid Program (MDAP), Spain acquired 36 ex-USAF F-4Cs for the Ejército del Aire (Spanish Air Force). By 1990, Phantom losses were 21 F-4Fs and 15 RF-4Es. As a reward for their help another 40 former US Air Force Phantoms were delivered to 112 and 172 Filo, beginning on 25 March 1991. [90] These aircraft were modified to enable them to carry the SUU-23/A gun pods. [47], Fourteen RF-4Es were delivered between November 1974 and June 1975. [47], The F-4EJ entered service with the JASDF in August 1972 with a total of six Hikōtai ("Squadrons") operating the aircraft: the 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 and 306th. It was reported that the Turks defeated the Chinese aircraft in air combat exercises. These aircraft were designed for a lifetime of only 1,000 hours but were pushed to 5,800 hours, many of them flown at low-level. To support them a fleet of three KC-97Ls was acquired in 1972, equipping Escuadrón 123, being replaced by KC-130Hs (which equipped Escuadrón 301) from January 1976. One was the IRRS (Infrared Recognition System) and the other was the SLAR (Side-Looking Airborne Radar), mounted in the side of the fuselage. Contenders to conduct the upgrade were DASA, Rockwell International, and IAI. 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. [29], The Iran–Iraq War began in September 1980 with Saddam Hussein's attack on Iran. 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. [24], There were many differences between the batches supplied to the Hellenic Air Force. Spain has employed F-4Cs as spares since 1989. F4 luftwaffe. [34], On the second day of the war, the IDF launched attacks with F-4s and A-4 Skyhawks but the enemy air defence and MiGs shot down six Phantoms and 30 A-4s. [34] After several weeks of combat, losses included four F-4s delivered under the Nickel Grass program. In a fierce aerial battle on 30 July 1970, four Phantoms baited the Egyptian MiGs which this time were Soviet-manned. It could also be fitted with SUU-16/A and SUU-23/A gun pods. 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. [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. While the KC-97s were fitted with a flying boom refuelling system, the Hercules that replaced them were fitted with the probe and drogue system and so could not refuel the F-4s. [47], Due to Japanese military limitations prohibiting air-to-ground ordnance, the F-4EJs were delivered without the AN/AJB-7 bombing computer system and also did not have an air-refueling probe or receptacle. After the Camp David Accords, and the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty signed on 26 March 1979, Egypt ended its military dependence on the Soviet Union. Under Operation Peace Pheasant these were delivered to the RoKaF 152 and 153 TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron), 17th TFW at Chongju. The F-4F ICE program offered a reasonably inexpensive and capable aircraft for the interceptor role, albeit with limitations. [citation needed]. It was fitted with an AN/AWG-12 radar and fire-control system, similar to the AN/AWG-11 but without the ability to fold the radome and antenna back to enable the aircraft to fit the lifts on an aircraft carrier, and Martin-Baker Mk.H5 ejection seats. These aircraft were flown directly to Israel, some by U.S. pilots. 19, 23, 29, 56 and 92 Squadrons.[92]. ", "Lockheed Martin to Upgrade Radar for Reconnaissance Version of Japan's F-15.". [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. [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. Another reason was that Iranian air bases had been built for USAF deployment in case of war with the Soviet Union. 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. The last of these was the 5,068th F-4 built in St. Louis. [56] ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures pods were also delivered. The Phantom II entered service with the U.S. military in 1960 and served until 1996. The Iraqi invasion was stopped within several weeks. During this opening phase a pair of Phantoms managed to shoot down seven Egyptian aircraft, and others shot down five Mil Mi-8s carrying assault troops over the Sinai desert. 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. [34] About 220 F-4Es and RF-4Es were delivered to Israel between 1969 and 1976 under U.S. aid programs, and served with the Tsvah Haganah le Israel/Heyl Ha'Avir (Israeli Air Force). [15], After the reduction of conventional forces in Europe, the Luftwaffe began phasing out the RF-4Es in 1993–94. The Luftwaffe also intended to equip two fighter and two bomber Geschwader ("wings") with a simplified single-seat version of the F-4E Phantom which had already been proposed for the TFX USAF program. [34], Some aerial maneuvers were believed to fool the SA-6 systems and these were used while the IDF waited for better ECM weapons. At that time there were 122 F-4E and 6 RF-4Es in service with the IDF.[34][37]. F-4 Phantom II non-U.S. operators are the non-U.S. nations with air forces that operate or used to operate the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. A total of 12 F-4Fs were initially modified for dual controls and were later de-modified. Designed and Sold by PzD501. The F-4F had one of the seven fuselage fuel tanks omitted along with the capability to carry AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and bombs. By that time, new F-15 Eagles and F-16s were replacing the Phantom in front line service, so the F-4s scored only one aerial victory in that action. Fifteen F-4EJs were also converted to RF-4EJ configuration, which, while mounting no internal cameras, carried podded reconnaissance equipment. Initially, a total of 140 FG.1s were to be ordered for the Fleet Air Arm; the intention was to operate the Phantom from both of the Royal Navy's remaining large fleet carriers, Eagle and Ark Royal, and the brand new CVA-01 carriers. 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. The F-4Es changed the balance of power in the region; they were not only effective on the battlefield, but available in large numbers as well. Louis. 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. However, when the SEPECAT Jaguar entered service from 1974 onwards, the Phantom FGR.2s were redeployed in the air defence role, replacing English Electric Lightnings with Nos. [5] The Kurnass program was also used to upgrade Turkish Air Force Phantoms at the same time, realizing some economies of scale. Another deserting F-4 was less lucky, being intercepted and shot down by Saudi F-15 Eagles on 5 June 1984. The lack of AMRAAMs was a serious handicap and the MiG 29s were retained for longer than had been planned. 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. Republic of Korea Air Force, ROKAF was supplied with F-4s in the late 1960s, due to ongoing tension with North Korea. (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. Likewise, the AN/ALR-36 radar warning receivers that Israeli Phantoms were equipped with at the time proved unable to provide any warning to aircrews that their aircraft were being tracked by SA-6 battery crews using the Straight Flush radar. The need to replace their Canberra B.20s was frustrated by the delay in the development of the F-111. [1] The aircraft of an Iranian F-4 pilot who deserted on 31 August 1984 to Saudi Arabia was examined and found to have Israeli and European spare parts installed. Later, when 173 Filo passed their F-4Es to 172 Filo, they equipped with RF-4Es. The program included 13 months flying the T-37 and T-38, for a total of 200 hours for pilots and 85 hours for navigators. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Saved by Jason. Scopri le migliori offerte, subito a casa, in tutta sicurezza. Kennedy. This meant that the bases were very large, well-dispersed and stocked with ample spare parts. By the end of that reorganization, Filo 171 became a ground attack unit, 172 interception and 173 reconnaissance. During their service, seven F-4C were lost to accidents before being replaced by EF-18s in April 1989. It was fitted the smaller and more lightweight AN/APG-66J pulse Doppler radar and a heads-up display resulting in a lookdown/shootdown capability. In conjunction with this, many anniversary schemes were used on Phantoms. It’s interesting that with the new camouflage was also changed size of national insignia. [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. The camera performed well but mounting it in an external pod caused too much drag, so it was installed in the nose of three normal F-4Es instead. The aircraft is reported to have been conducting a reconnaissance flight off the Syrian coast. The man saw a jet coming at him at high speed and low altitude and opened fire, Makdissi said. [18] The review resulted in F-4F ICE being completed. The German RF-4E was equipped similarly to the USAF RF-4Cs, using the latest F-4E airframe and more-powerful engines. They served with the 110th TFS, 11th Fighter Wing based at Daegu. [26], DASA won the contract in August 1997, dubbed "Peace Icarus 2000". 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. The F-4s acquired from US Air Force stocks were former 110th and 141st Tactical Fighter Squadron aircraft (Missouri and New Jersey Air National Guard squadrons, respectively) and arrived painted in "Egyptian One" camouflage, an air-superiority paint scheme consisting of two different shades of blue, despite being best-suited for ground attack. Oct 12, 2016 - AIRFIGHTERS.COM - Military Aircraft Photos. Feb 24, 2018 - Photo report featuring the F-4 Phantoms in the early years of West Germany's Air Force service when the F-4F replaced the F-104G Starfighters. In 1972, with eight Phantoms per month being delivered, Aufklärungsgeschwader 51 "Immelmann" equipped with the RF-4, followed by AG 52, based at Leck. Nota: Prezzi e disponibilità sono solo indicazioni. That was an interesting read on Wyve... Hello Barry, what an amazing find!! The costs sustained in the upgrades had incurred a delay in AMRAAM acquisition. Apart from natural deficiencies of the air frame design itself, the greatest drawbacks of the F-4F ICE were the lack of an IFF and MIDS capability. Browse more videos. The ICE F-4Fs were expected to remain in service until JG 71 transitioned to the Eurofighter Typhoon in 2013. The South Korean Air Force has been quite satisfied with the F-4 and has carried out upgrades to extend their lifespan. [35] Egyptian fighters had a hard time dealing with the F-4s, and their SA-2 Surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) were not effective at low altitudes. Service with the Fleet Air Arm was brief, with 892 NAS operating from Ark Royal from 12 June 1970 to 27 November 1978. Aeromaster 48-558 for the Brit F-4 Phantom II. One of the most prominent Phantom users is the Turkish Air Force ("Türk Hava Kuvvetleri" or THK), which operates about 233 F-4s. The contract included industrial offsets for German industry, particularly production work for Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm who manufactured and supplied F-4 components to McDonnell Douglas' Phantom production facility in St. The United States confirmed the attack several days later, but Iran did not confirm or deny Iranian airstrikes had taken place; both denied they coordinated any sort of air attack against IS forces in Iraq. The USAF phased out many older aircraft and some were supplied to the PA as a thank-you for the use of Greek airbases during the war. ", "Phantom with Royal Australian Air Force. [12], Phase 1 of ICE commenced in 1989–90 and included upgrades such as the ALR-68 Radar warning receiver, the Honeywell H-423 laser gyro inertial navigation system, the GEC Avionics CPU-143/A digital central air data computer, and the Mil Std 1553R digital data bus.