A standard Phantom F-4E for the RAF

[Spinners]

McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.3 - No.6 Squadron, RAF Strike Command, 1972

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Dora]

Nice again, Spinners.

That would have given the RAF faster Phantoms than its actual Spey-powered FG1’s and FGR2’s, at about 2/3 the price!

Fitting the “fatter”, more powerful Spey (turbofan vs the turbojet J79), with its bigger intakes,  not only led to increased intake drag but also messed with the F-4’s fuselage area ruling. As well as costing a lot more.

So while our Phantoms could accelerate faster than a standard J79-powered ac, and had greater endurance, they couldn’t fly as fast. As proved when 74 Sqn was equipped with the second-hand J79-powered F-4J(UK)* in the 1980’s.

 

*That clumsy designation always irritated. Being employed in the pure fighter role, the F-4J(UK) should logically have been designated the Phantom F3.

[+Wrench]

Quote

As proved when 74 Sqn was equipped with the second-hand J79-powered F-4J(UK)* in the 1980’s.

I did those back in 2011 -- they should still be in the downloads section, someplace!!!

[Spinners]

Regarding costs, the Osprey book on the British Phantoms states that a Spey Phantom was 2.5 times the cost of an F-4D. 

[+Wrench]

that's NUTS!!!

[+EricJ]

That is nuts...