M.D. Phantom XT866/O

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Aircraft Type Photo

BELOW: A 43 Squadron RAF Phantom FG1 formerly attached to RAF Leuchars.

A Phantom of 43 Squadron

Photo: US Defense Visual Information system photo DF-ST-82-04399 [Wikipedia]

Released as a work by the United States Federal Government to the public domain [Wikipedia]

BELOW: An 892 Naval Air Squadron Phantom FG1 being launched from HMS Ark Royal (now decommissioned).

The McDonnell Douglas Phantom was produced for both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.

a Phantom being launched from HMS Ark Royal

Photo: 1974/75 U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News March 1975 [Wikipedia]

This file is a work of a sailor or employee of the U.S. Navy, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. Federal Government, the image is in the public domain. [Wikipedia]

Aircraft Type and Background

RAF McDonnell Douglas FG1 (F-4K) Phantom / XT866/O

The Phantom FG1 was a two-seat all-weather interceptor. The British contract Phantom FG1's were equipped with Rolls-Royce Spey engines. (Their US counterparts were fitted with GE J79 turbojets.)

Originally designed for the US Navy, the Phantom FG1 featured on this page was one of a number built to meet a British (MoD) contract. The MoD had ordered these Phantoms from the US to serve both with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy version of the Phantom was intended to replace the de Havilland Sea Vixen, and 48 were later delivered to the RN for deployment to aircraft carriers.

Other versions of the Phantom FG1 were delivered to the RAF and were allocated to No. 43 Squadron (now disbanded) based at RAF Leuchars. It is one of this squadron's Phantoms that is featured on this page.

Aircraft Accident Details

The full record of this accident could not be found at the moment, since the MoD / RAF are in the process of moving their information on this and other aircraft to a new website.

However, it is understood that the Phantom crashed, due in part to an instrument failure while on final approach to RAF Leuchars. The aircraft had been on a night flight when it crashed a short distance from the runway. On impact with the ground, the Phantom cart-wheeled across the runway and caught fire.

The pilot and navigator ejected before the crash.

Due to its close proximity to RAF Leuchars, it is believed that all wreckage from the aircraft was either recovered or buried.

Aircraft Crew

The pilot and navigator managed to eject safely before the aircraft crashed. The names of the crew were:

Sqn Ldr R L Dixon

F/O M R L Syndercombe

Crash Site Photos

The wreckage of Phantom XT866/O was recovered and removed to Faygate Aircraft Scrapyard c.1985. (Phantom XT866 photo is 4th row, left-hand-side. Click photo to enlarge. Photos taken by Richard Hall of Aircraft and Airshows Past.)

At present, no other photos are available.