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RAAF Phantom 69-7214 flies high over the type's birthplace, St Louis, Missouri, prior to delivery. All RAAF Phantoms were delivered in standard USAF South East Asian style camouflage, and did not wear any sort ofunit markings. (McDonnell Douglas)
Aircraft of the ADF – A69 MDC F-4E Phantom II
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A69 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II
How many of our readers would remember that delays in the delivery of Australia’s new strike aircraft, the F- 111, had led to an offer by the US Government for leasing Boeing B-47E Stratojet bombers to the RAAF.
This offer was to be declined, as the problems for introduc ing such a large and aged aircraft offered no real advantages. However, after further F-111 delivery delays, an offer was made by the US to lease 24 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantoms to provide 82 Wing with an interim modern strike capability. Consequently, on June 22 1970, the Government announced its acceptance of this leasing arrangement, and the first five aircraft were delivered by USAF and RAAF crews just twelve weeks later, arriving at RAAF Amberley on September 14.
With over 5000 produced the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II has been one of the world’s most successful jet combat aircraft. Designed by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (which later became McDonnell Douglas), the Phantom was originally a shipborne all weather fighter developed for the US Navy. The prototype model, the XF4H-1, made its maiden flight on May 27 1958. During 1962 the F4H-1 designation was changed to the F-4A, with the later USN production aircraft becoming the F-4B.
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