Air International 1978-12
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??? - The five grand fighter... McDonnel's Masterpiece (2)
Starting with 32 F-4Ds (as illustrated) delivered in 1968/69, the Imperial Iranian Air Force has received a total of 225 Phantoms to date, and is currently considering the acquisition of a further batch.
Spain is unique among foreign users of the Phantom in that it operates the F-4C version. 36 having been delivered from USAF stocks in 1971/72.
In Japan, Mitsubishi is in course of producing 138 F-4EJs: in common with other Japanese combat aircraft, these are now receiving a camouflage finish as shown here on one of the imported RF-4EJs.
Among the major foreign users of the Phantom is the Luftwaffe, which bought 175 examples of the F-4F, an optimised air defence variant, in addition to 88 examples of the RF-4E (photo) tactical reconnaissance version.
Although F-4Es for the JASDF are built in Japan, its requirement for RF-4E reconnaissance versions has been met by supplying 14 of these aircraft from the St Louis production line.
A Phantom FGR Mk 2 of No 111 Squadron, RAF, in the air defence role, carrying a 20-mm gun pod on the fuselage centreline and showing the rear warning radar fairing added to the top of the fin.
Первым местом службы Уорда была 892-я эскадрилья, где он летал на Phantom FG.Mk 1. После кратковременной штабной работы он в 1974 году перешел служить на авианосец "Арк Роял" старшим летчиком, имея квалификацию инструктора воздушного боя на Phantom.
A Phantom FG Mk 1 of No 892 Squadron on the port catapult of the USS Saratoga during an exchange visit, clearly showing the double-extensible nose wheel leg.
McDonnell Phantom FGR Mk.2
Among the major foreign users of the Phantom is the Luftwaffe, which bought 175 examples of the F-4F, an optimised air defence variant, in addition to 88 examples of the RF-4E tactical reconnaissance version.
The Greek Air Force has received 56 F-4Es, as illustrated, in addition to eight RF-4Es now in course of delivery.
Israel is the only nation other than the US itself to have used its Phantoms in combat. More than 200 F-4Es have been supplied over a 10-year period.