The 'British' Phantoms of Liberty Wing

[Spinners]

McDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom - 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, United States Air Force Europe, 1975

During late 1966, with the USA getting more and more embroiled in the Vietnam war, it was decided to re-equip several USAFE units with the British licence-built F-4M so as to release older tactical aircraft such as the F-100D and F-105D for service in Vietnam where attrition was now a very serious issue. 

McDonnell Douglas had already brought together a substantial UK sub-contracting team consisting of BAC, Hawker Siddeley, Rolls-Royce (for the Spey turbofan engines) and Shorts with final assembly and flight testing being carried out at St. Louis but, with one eye on the European market, McDonnell Douglas moved final assembly to Brough (North Humberside) with flight testing at Holme on Spalding Moor. This decision came a bit too late for the Royal Navy whose F-4K aircraft continued to be assembled and flight tested in the USA but all F-4M's were produced in the UK with all odd production numbers being allocated to the RAF and all even numbers to the USAFE with Lakenheath and Bitburg becoming the first USAFE wings to re-equip with the type.

Entering service with the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in England in 1970 the F-4M's received a modest upgrade during 1973-1974 to emerge with the Marconi ARI18228 RWR mounted on the fintip and also gained 'slimer' formation-keeping strip lights. The USAF F-4M's had a relatively long career with USAFE and were eventually replaced by F-15E's during 1990 and just missed out on participation in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stratos]

Looks strangely cool. Well done!

[+daddyairplanes]

On 2/16/2024 at 11:52 AM, Spinners said:

The USAF F-4M's had a relatively long career with USAFE and were eventually replaced by F-15E's during 1990 and just missed out on participation in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

so when are we seeing the wrap around, Euro 1 and Hill 2 versions? or being in the UK, would they have been Barley Grey?

[Spinners]

1 minute ago, daddyairplanes said:

so when are we seeing the wrap around, Euro 1 and Hill 2 versions? or being in the UK, would they have been Barley Grey?

I'm pretty sure I've already done them (but not as downloads).

[+daddyairplanes]

well, i did say see, not get

[Spinners]

 

[+daddyairplanes]

you know i remember seeing these from years ago, then you realize just how long its been.....

still want to see a Barley Grey Liberty Wing Phantom tho