McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom - No.6 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, 1975
The Australian Government's decision to back the recommendation of Air Vice Marshal CF Read to lease 24 brand-new McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantoms received warm support from the Royal Australian Air Force and especially from the crews of the Canberra squadrons. Entering service in September 1970, the Phantom was extremely popular with RAAF aircrews and groundcrew alike and by 1972 the Australian Government had started negotiations with the US Government to purchase 18 of the remaining 23 F-4E's plus the leased ground support equipment and by early October 1972 an agreement was reached. Whilst F-111C's re-equipped No.1 and No.2 squadrons, the F-4E's remained in service with No.6 squadron, receiving a new Mirage style camo scheme in 1973, and remained in service until 2002.