No version of the F-4M (FGR2) has built in ECM. What is the proper RAF pod for the Phantom?

[Slant6]

No RAF Phantoms (e.g. sub-variants of the F-4M/FGR.2) have built in ECM. What ECM pods did they carry in real life?

[+russouk2004]

some carried EMI Recce pods

British RAF Phantom squadrons were role oriented, with the early strike squadrons (6, 14, 17, 31, 41, 54 and later 2 Sqns) carrying 4 x AIM-7 E-2 Sparrows, 4 x AIM-9D and mixes of SNEB rocket pods, 1000lb or 750lb iron (GP) bombs, or BL755 CBUs. A B61 nuke could also be carried on the centreline rack, or the SUU-23 gunpod or an EMI recce pod (although only 12 aircraft were wired for that) or the 600 gall tank.

A strike camera could also be carried in the port Sparrow well. CBLS practice bomb carriers were another option.
 

No British Phantoms, including the F-4J(UK), ever carried active ECM gear, even those German-based machines at the height of the Cold War. The only regular ECM carried was the tail-mounted RWR, which was passive. It used audio, plus strobes rather than alphanumerics to alert the crew to threats. The FG.1 originally did not have SUU-23/A 20mm rotary cannon capability like the FGR.2. The RAF added this capability from around November 1974 at RAF Leuchars.

There were no ECM pods used as far as is known. The Westinghouse AN/ALQ-101(V)-8 "Dash Eight" was bought for Buccaneers and Jaguars, along with AN/AVQ-23 Pave Spike designators for the Buccaneers, in the mid-late 1970s, by which time Tornado was coming on line with its own special gear and the ageing Tooms were flying air defence.
Phantoms at Missile Practice Camp at Valley could carry a missile launch photo pod based on an AGM-12 Bullpup body

[Slant6]

Thanks! That’s everything I needed to know. Flying an F-4M against a sophisticated air defense would’ve had a very high pucker factor indeed.

[Slant6]

Just realized that since Jaguar squadrons went online in Europe in the late-70s, RAF Phantoms were relegated to strictly air-air roles and shouldn't be flying strikes anyhow!