McDonnell-Douglas/BAC F-4K/M Phantom II
Thunder & Lightnings

McDonnell-Douglas/BAC F-4K/M Phantom II

They've delivered it upside down!
- Anon RN Admiral.

One of the most famous aircraft of all time, the UK's purchase of the type was a demonstration of the failures of successive governments' procurement policies. Heavily modified to use British engines, the end result was a Phantom that performed poorly in many ways compared to the off-the-shelf versions later bought to augment the UK force. Jack of all trades but arguably master of none, it was nonetheless a highly capable type and filled a significant gap in the RAF's line-up.

Read on for the history of the Phantom.