Description
Object description
American twin engine supersonic interceptor and fighter bomber military aircraft, built by McDonnell Douglas in 1967. Served with the US Navy 1968-1982, including on combat operations flown from USS America over Vietnam in 1974. Served with No 74 Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF) on air defence operations 1984-1991.
Physical description
Two-seat, twin engine supersonic interceptor and fighter bomber military aircraft. Fixed wing aircraft with swept back, low mounted wings with dihedral tips, conventional tail and tricycle landing gear. Overall painted in light gull grey; with US national insignia (1947 pattern) painted in insignia red, insignia blue and white on fuselage and wings, and 'Navy' painted in black on rear fuselage; with US Navy unit identification markings including red lightning bolts (VF-74); with '114' painted in white on nose; with 'USS America' and US Navy bureau number '155529' painted in black at the base of the tail.
Label
The F-4 Phantom was designed to fly from aircraft carriers. Used initially by the US Navy, it was also ordered by the US Air Force. Phantoms first saw combat in the Vietnam War in 1965. Fitted with different weapons and equipment, Phantoms were used as bombers, escort fighters or as reconnaissance aircraft. Its main limitations were found in dog-fighting with smaller, more agile Soviet-built MiG fighters. The USAF alone lost 362 Phantoms, mainly to enemy action, up to the beginning of 1972.
The UK government purchased over 150 Phantoms from America in the 1960s, modified with Rolls-Royce engines and other British equipment. After the Falklands War in 1982 Britain needed more aircraft to defend the Islands. A further 15 Phantoms were ordered. These were largely identical to the American versions.
This Phantom was retired in 1991 and flown to Duxford. Martin Loveridge was the navigator on that final flight. It has been restored in the colours of US Navy fighter squadron VF-74 which it wore in 1972.
History note
The aircraft was initially allocated to VF33 on board USS America in 1968. Shortly thereafter USS America was dispatched to Vietnam and the aircraft was transferred from VF33 to VF74, still aboard USS America.
It performed one other tour of Vietnam duty with VF33 from 5 June 1972 until 24 March 1973 whilst on USS Independence.
It remained in service with various squadrons until January 1982 and storage. It was stored at North Island and reworked for UK service in January 1983.
Full known history:
9 Feb 1968 - 3 Apr 1968 Naval repair centre Saint Louis 3 Apr 1968 Sq: VF33, USS America
3 Apr 1968 - 10 Mar 1969. Sq: VF33, USS Oceana 10 Mar 1969-29 June 1971. Sq: VF33, USS Independence
29 June 1971 - 29June 1972. Sq: VF33, USS Oceana 29 June 1972-25 Oct 1972. Sq: VF33, USS Independence
25 Oct 1972 - 16 Apr 1973. Sq: VF74, USS Oceana 16 Apr 1973-8 July 1974. Sq: VF74, USS Forresta
11 Sept 1974. Sq: VF102, USS Independence 10 Feb 1975 - 12 Feb 1975. Sq: VF102, USS Oceana
28 Apr 1975 - 30 Apr 1975. Sq: VF102, USS Falcon 1 June 1975-6 July 1975. Sq: VF102, USS Oceana
7 July 1975 - 8 July 1975. Sq: VF31, USS Oceana 9 July 1975. Sq: VF31, USS Yuma
9 July 1975. Sq: VF31, USS Oceana 9 July 1975-28 Nov 1975. Sq: VF31, aboard Saratoga
5 Dec 1975, Sq: VF31, USS Oceana 5 Dec 1975. Sq: VF31, aboard Saratoga
23 July 1977-23 Oct 1977. Sq: VF31, aboard Saratoga 23 Oct 1977-1 Dec 1977. Sq: VF31, USS Oceana
17 May 1978-8 June 1978. Sq: VF31, aboard Saratoga 11 Sept 1978-19 Sept 1978. Sq: VF31, USS Oceana
19 Sept 1978. Sq:VF31, aboard Saratoga 3 June 1979. NARF North Island
8 June 1979. Sq: VF31, USS Oceana 9 June 1979. NARF North Island
18 Nov 1979-29 Feb 1980. Sq: VF31, USS Oceana 8 Sept 1980-10 Oct 1980. Sq: VF171, USS Oceana
23 May 1981. Sq: VF33, aboard Independence 23 May 1981. Sq: VF33, USS Oceana
18 June 1981-6 Nov 1981. Sq: VF171, USS Oceana 21 Dec 1981-28 Apr 1983. NARF North Island
Served with 74 Squadron RAF, Wattisham post 1983.