F-4 Phantom II in Royal New Zealand Air Force service

[+dtmdragon 2,704]

Background (factual):

 

In mid 1964 Operational Requirement No. 5/Air called for a tactical combat aircraft to replace the Canberra. Specifically a long range aircraft with the primary role of counter-air/interdiction and secondary roles of close air support and air defense.

 

In June 1965 The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Morrison was quoted as wanting 18 F-111 aircraft for the RNZAF at a cost of £1.5 million per aircraft. The public and media supported the idea but the Chief of Defense Staff (who was a Naval Officer) and the acting Prime Minister publicly opposed the purchase.

 

In August 1965 the Chiefs of Staff Committee rejected the idea of acquiring long-range interdiction aircraft and in September agreed that close air support should be the primary role of the new combat aircraft.

 

In December came Air Staff Requirement No. 12 with the following requirements of the new combat aircraft:

- Ability to provide effective air support to ground forces.

- Highly reliable and robust

- Self defense capability to evade or counter supersonic interceptors and surface-to-air missiles.

- Long range.

- Ability to operate closely with American and Australian forces.

 

By May 1966 the RNZAF had finished evaluating six candidate aircraft:

- F-4C Phantom II

- A-7A Corsair II

- Mirage IIIO

- F-5A Freedom Fighter

- F-104G Starfighter

- A-4E Skyhawk

 

In August 1966 the RNZAF officially asked the government to purchase 16 F-4 Phantoms at a total cost of £19 million.

 

Now remember AVM Morrison making it known he wanted the F-111? He would later go on to admit he never wanted the F-111 he had wanted the F-4 all along but given the cost of the F-4 he wanted to make it look more attractive (cost wise) by putting it next to the F-111.

 

The minister of Defense then announced the final stage of the evaluation had been reached and a decision was a few weeks away. The purchase of the F-4 seemed to be all but done...

 

BUT the Treasury department now intervened and recommended purchasing the F-5! The RNZAF High Command was furious! But ultimately powerless to halt the path to purchasing the A-4 Skyhwak that had just begun.

 

Over the next year the RNZAF, Cabinet Defense Committee, Treasury, the Finance Minister and the Chief of Defense wrangled over purchasing the F-4 or an alternative (F-5 or A-4). Then at the end of 1967 the New Zealand Currency was devalued and a squadron of F-4 Phantoms was now instantly out of New Zealand’s price range. It was either 11 Phantoms or 16 Skyhawks. So the Skyhawk it was.

 

So if the Treasury Department hadn't intervened in the procurement process towards the end of 1966 it seems entirely likely that New Zealand would have placed and order for the F-4 Phantom II at the end of that year!

 

 

And so I give you the F-4D Phantom II in RNZAF Service 1969 to 2002:

 

I chose the F-4D as when the order would have likely been placed in late 1966/ early 1967 the F-4D was the current USAF production model as the first of the F-4E models were only just being built as part of the USAF F-4D contract.

The RNZAF F-4D models are built to the same standard as the last USAF F-4D coming off the production line in the late 60's. However like the A-4K in real life they are 'fitted for but not with' ECM/ RHAW equipment. This means the wiring, sensors and cockpit RHAW display are installed but the actual 'black box' control units are not.

 

The  reason for this (as in real life with the A-4K) was not an economy measure as most references state (including the Third Wire manual) but because the equipment was in such demand by US forces for use in Vietnam. So the aircraft were delivered without them but with the intention of fitting them at a latter date. However that day simply never came and this is possibly where the additional cost of purchasing/ installing them played a part in it not happening.

 

The Kiwi F-4D Phantoms are capable of caring the full range of the USAF Phantom arsenal including first generation smart weapons. However only the Mk 82/83/84 series bombs and unguided rockets are used by the RNZAF. For the air-to-air role the SUU-23/A gunpod, AIM-7E and AIM-9E are chosen with the AIM-4 Falcons performance in Vietnam causing the RNZAF to steer well clear of it.

 

The Kiwi Phantoms are delivered in SEA colors with the old RAF style New Zealand Air Force roundels. But shortly after arriving in New Zealand the then current RNZAF Sliver Fern Leaf roundel is painted on. These only last till the end of 1970 when the current Kiwi roundel replaces it. Squadron badges are now starting to appear and the aircraft which are getting that infamous dirty Phantom worn look.

 

F-4D Phantom II Delivery Markings 1969

 

F-4D Phantom II No. 75 Squadron Fern Leaf Roundels Late 1969

 

F-4D Phantom II No. 75 Squadron New Kiwi Roundels 1970

 

By 1973 the redundant RHAW display has been removed from the cockpit and so has the empty IRST pod from under the nose that was to house the RHAW gear.

 

F-4D Phantom II No. 2 Squadron Late 1970's

 

 

F-4D Phantom II No. 75 Squadron Early 1980's

 

In the mid 80's the original SEA camouflage scheme is replaced by the European 1 scheme that better suits the New Zealand environment.

 

F-4D Phantom II No. 2 Squadron 1984

 

F-4D Phantom II No. 75 Squadron Late 1980's

 

By the early 80's the Kiwi Phantoms were showing their age and 1960's heritage. The RNZAF is faced with replacing or upgrading the Phantoms. Ultimately the government decides that upgrading the F-4D fleet is the most affordable option.

 

In preparation for the upgrade 8 more F-4D Phantoms are purchased from the USAF in 1985. Unlike the current Kiwi Phantoms these aircraft had been upgraded in USAF service with countermeasure dispensers and a modern RWR which gave the RNZAF a taste of things to come. The USAF Hill Grey camouflage scheme on these aircraft is the most popular with the majority of Kiwi aircrew.

 

F-4D Phantom II (78) Delivery Markings 1985 (Ex 179th FIS and 98th TFS)

 

F-4D Phantom II (78) No. 75 Squadron Late 1985

 

F-4D Phantom II (78) No. 75 Squadron Late 1980's

 

In 1986 a comprehensive $140 million upgrade program is undertaken. Known as project 'Kahu' the heart of the upgrade is replacing the old AN/APG-109 radar with the modern AN/APG-66(NZ) multi-mode radar. The cockpit is modernized with glass displays, HOTAS and a Ferranti wide-angle HUD. Survivability in increased with the ALR-66 RWR and ALE-40 countermeasure dispensers. The MIL-STD 1553B databus and Litton Industries LN-93 inertial navigation system are also installed. The airframes and engines are completely stripped down and given a life extension with almost all of the aircraft wiring replaced. A smoke abatement system is added along with low voltage formation lights.

 

The aircraft also receive armament upgrades including the capability to fire AIM-9L, AIM-7M, AGM-65B/G and GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bombs. The old F-4 Phantom external center drop tanks are also replaced by the F-15 600 gallon HPC tanks as on USAF Phantoms. By the end of 1991 all New Zealand and ex USAF Phantoms have been upgraded to the 'Kahu' standard. 

 

F-4D 'Kahu' Phantom II No. 2 Squadron 1988

 

 

F-4D 'Kahu' Phantom II No. 75 Squadron Mid 1990's

 

Little would change from now until their retirement in 2002 except for a move from the Euro1 camouflage to an all over dark green.

 

F-4D 'Kahu'  Phantom II No. 75 and No. 2 Composite Squadron 1997

Edited August 26, 2015 by dtmdragon

[Streakfalcon 57]

nice!

[Piglet_7 106]

Sweet

[+Spectre8750 167]

Killer Kiwi!

[shomu1 6]

Awesome!  What cockpit did you use for the Kahu F-4s?

[Spinners 15,986]

Top notch. Hooray for the Grey! (My favourite)

[+dtmdragon 2,704]

Cheers guys ☺ it's basically the RNZAF service and upgrade history of the A-4K Skyhawks but with Phantoms.

Awesome! What cockpit did you use for the Kahu F-4s?

F-4EJ Kai with my A-4k Kahu HUD, Radar and RWR Edited August 26, 2015 by dtmdragon

[xrearl 27]

Top notch. Hooray for the Grey! (My favourite)

great skin. F-D not the E, if the E was beginning to be built,I would guess they would have waited for it 

[Stratos 3,192]

Great backstory. And my favourite is the Euro 1. Well done.

[dsawan 624]

cool. ETA for a release?

[+dtmdragon 2,704]

Away for the weekend so maybe next week some time?

[+dtmdragon 2,704]

cool. ETA for a release?

 

 

Away for the weekend so maybe next week some time?

 

Uploaded now: http://combatace.com/files/file/15812-f-4-phantom-ii-in-royal-new-zealand-air-force-service-what-if/