McDonnell Douglas F-4C Pakistan Air Force

[Spinners 15,966]

In the immediate aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War the senior commanders of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) ordered an urgent review of the substantial combat losses incurred during the short but brutal conflict and the resultant report highlighted the deficiencies in quantity and quality of the PAF and especially of the attack squadrons. The B-57's of No.7 and No.8 squadrons had performed heroically but losses had meant that No.8 Squadron had to be disbanded and it's surviving B-57's aircraft transferred to No.7 Squadron. Ideally, the PAF wanted a more modern long-range attack bomber with low-level penetrability and they put the Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer at the top of their wish list but were given a polite rebuttal by the UK Government who were clearly determined not to actually let their ailing aircraft industry actually export something.

 

By March 1972, and primarily due to the slow drawdown in Vietnam, the United States Government were offering war weary early F-4C's to the Pakistan Government and an order was duly placed for a batch of 24 ex-USAF F-4C's which were delivered in June 1972 much to the consternation of the Indian Government who promptly ordered more MiG's from the Soviet Union. The 24 aircraft were initially very thinly spread between No.7 squadron, a re-activated No.8 squadron and No.26 squadron but peacetime attrition soon saw No.26 squadron disbanded in 1976 although they were subsequently re-formed in 1979 with F-4E's.

McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom - No.26 Squadron, 'The Black Spiders', Pakistan Air Force, 1973

 

[Spinners 15,966]

 

[santroM 13]

I know this is a late reply, but I was wondering if you could do another what if for the PAF that actually may have happened.. the A-7 corsair.

[SayethWhaaaa 245]

I know this is a late reply, but I was wondering if you could do another what if for the PAF that actually may have happened.. the A-7 corsair.

 

Wasn't there also talk of the US possibly exporting the A-10 to Pakistan in the very early eighties too? Once again, you're the epitome of quality Spinners!

[Spinners 15,966]

I know this is a late reply, but I was wondering if you could do another what if for the PAF that actually may have happened.. the A-7 corsair.

 

Yes, no problem. I can't promise when because I'm busy at work but I'll do one.