Hobby Master HA1985 | McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom ZE353, No. 74 Sqn., RAF, Wattisham, April 1990

General Background:

After the Falklands the RAF had a gap in the Air Defence of GB, with the delay to the new F3
Tornado and the lack of other RAF Phantoms the MOD purchased straight from the New Mexico
Desert a Sqn of Ex US Navy F4J. Some of these aircraft still had Battle scars from Vietnam.
These were designated F4J (UK) and were rushed into service still sporting basic US Navy
colours. These were later painted in due course to RAF air defense grey.

The Aircraft:

The No. 74 Squadron “Tiger Squadron” existed from 1917 until the 1990s. The Squadron had
been reformed at RAF Wattisham in 1984 and operated the F-4J until January 1991. McDonnell
Douglas F-4J Phantom ZE-353 was former USN 153785 and was delivered to Wattisham on
October 4, 1984. In 1991 74 Squadron exchanged their F-4Js for surplus FGR.2 Phantoms and
on February 20, 1991 the aircraft moved to Manston Fire School and was finally scrapped in July 2001. The No. 74 Squadron disbanded in October 1992.

Specification for the F- 4J

Performance
Engines: 2 X General Electric J79-GE-8B/8C/10 turbojets, 11,870 lb.s.t dry, 17,900 lb.
s.t. with afterburner.
Maximum speed: 1,584 mph at 48,000 ft. (Mach 2.4), 875 mph at sea level (Mach
1.15).
Initial climb rate: 41,250 fpm.
Service ceiling: 70,000 ft.
Combat ceiling: 54,700 ft.
Combat range: 596 miles, maximum range 1,956 miles with maximum external fuel.

Weights
30,770 lbs empty.
46,833 lbs gross.
41,399 lbs combat weight,

Dimensions
Wingspan: 38 ft. 5 in.
Wing area: 530 square ft.
Length: 58 ft. 3.75 in.
Height: 16 ft. 3 in.

Fuel
Maximum internal fuel: in fuselage tanks 1,347 US gal.
Internal wing tanks: 630 gal.
Maximum external fuel: 3,317 US gal.
600 US gal in a centerline tank, 370 US gal in each of two tanks that could be carried
underneath the outer under wing pylons.

Armament
4 X AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi-recessed slots
in the fuselage belly.
2 X to 4 AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles carried under the wings
on the inboard pylons.
Maximum offensive load of up to 16,000 lbs