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McDonnell Douglas F-4J UK Phantom ZE353
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McDonnell Douglas F-4J UK Phantom ZE353
Royal Air Force - McDonnell Douglas F-4J(UK) Phantom ZE353, of No.74 Squadron, at RAF Wattisham, Suffolk. (a.k.a. Phantom F.3). With the deployment of No.23 Squadron to the Falkland Islands in 1983, the UK air defence system was critically short of aircraft. To alleviate the shortage, a number of ex US Navy F-4Js were acquired from the US, fitted with equipment to allow integration with UKADGE and issued to 74 Sqn at RAF Wattisham. Date: 1985
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Media ID 23462372
© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans A The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans
1983 1985 Acquired Critically Defence Deployment F 4j Falkland Fitted Issued Mcdonnell Phantom Shortage Squadron Suffolk System Wattisham Alleviate Douglas Integration Short
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this photograph, the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom ZE353, a formidable fighter jet, is seen parked at RAF Wattisham in Suffolk, England, during the mid-1980s. This specific Phantom, belonging to No. 74 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, is also known as the Phantom F.3. The image captures the essence of the jet's power and sophistication, with its distinctive twin-engine design and angular lines. The year was 1985, and the UK's air defence system was facing a critical shortage of aircraft. To address this pressing issue, the British government acquired a number of ex-US Navy F-4Js, which were then modified to integrate with the UK's Air Defence Ground Environment (UKADGE) system. These jets were issued to No. 74 Squadron, based at RAF Wattisham, to bolster the country's air defences. The deployment of No. 23 Squadron to the Falkland Islands in 1983 had left the UK's air defence capabilities severely depleted. The acquisition and modification of these F-4Js represented a crucial step in restoring the country's air defence capabilities. The Phantom F.3, like the one depicted in this photograph, played a vital role in safeguarding the skies over the United Kingdom during this period. The McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom ZE353 is an aeronautical marvel, a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of aviation engineering. Its acquisition and integration into the Royal Air Force's fleet during the mid-1980s underscored the importance of international cooperation and the adaptability of military technology in times of need. This photograph offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in aviation history, a moment when the UK's air defence system was strengthened, and the Phantom F.3 stood ready to protect the skies above.
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