3A69 - F-4E Phantom

RAAF A69 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom

The RAAF leased 24 F-4E Phantoms from the USAF due to delays in delivery of the F-111.
The out of sequence RAAF designator A-69 was applied for administrative purposes but did not appear on the aircraft which retained their USAF serial numbers.
During their RAAF service the Phantoms were 'owned' and operated by 482 Maintenance Squadron, 1 and 6 Squadrons supplied aircrew only.
The aircraft were flown by both units for the time they served in the RAAF.
After their return to the USAF most were converted to F4-G Wild Weasel Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) aircraft.
They served successfully during the Gulf War.
Their careers were further extended with many converted to QF-4G unmanned target aircraft and thus most are no longer with us.
Those that were not shot down or crashed have been scrapped so there is not a single surviving example of an ex-RAAF Phantom

USAF.Serial	Aircraft.Type	Tail Code	c/n	Aircraft History
69-0304	F-4E-43-MC	04	3847	Delivered 82 Wing 09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 21/06/73. Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW, 6510th TFW, 35th TFW, 37th TFW, 35th FW USAF. Served in Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm To AMARC 05/06/92 as FP0856. To MFSI, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-203) 13/01/99. To Tyndall AFB 02/03/2000. Destroyed as target 15/08/2001
69-0305	F-4E-43-MC	05	3848	First Flight 24/06/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 31/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. RAAF 50th Anniversary Airshow. Returned to USAF 20/10/72. Modified to F-4G. Served with 4th TFW, 52nd TFW, 414th TFW, 131st TFW, 35th TFW, 35th FW, 124th FG USAF. Flew last F-4G Sortie of Operation Provide Comfort. To AMARC as FP1044, 09/04/96. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-170) 09/09/97. Crashed 03/08/2000 White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
69-0306	F-4E-43-MC	06	3850	First Flight 29/06/70. First Phantom to arrive at RAAF Amberley 14/09/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 21/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Authorised for return 18/10/72. Returned to USAF 22/10/72 Modified to F-4G. \| Served with 32nd TFS, 347th TFW, 33rd TFW, 3rd TFW 124th FG USAF. To AMARC as FP1008 tail code 'WW' 04/01/96. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-131) 19/04/96. Destroyed as target 27/07/2002
69-0307	F-4E-43-MC	07	3851	First Flight 29/06/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 28/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 06/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th TFW, 131st TFW, 163rd TFG, 124th FG USAF. To AMARC as FP1010 tail code 'WW', 04/01/96. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-134) 16/05/96. Destroyed as target 06/11/97.
69-7201	F-4E-43-MC	1	3854	Delivered to 82 Wing 21/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 21/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW, 35th TFW, 35th FW, Flew 50 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. To AMARC as FP0828, 20/03/92. To MFSI, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-205) 10/03/99. Destroyed as target 29/06/2004.
69-7202	F-4E-43-MC	2	3855	First Flight 02/07/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 21/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Participant of 50th Anniversary Airshow RAAF 04/71. Returned to USAF 22/10/72 Modified to F-4G. Served with 21st CW, 31st TFW, 347TFW, 52nd TFW, 52nd FW USAF. To AMARC as FP1026 25/03/96. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-146), 17/12/96. Destroyed as target 23/07/98.
69-7203	F-4E-43-MC	3	3856	Delivered to 82 Wing 21/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Crashed into sea near Evans Head bombing range 16/06/71 during a Hi-Lo navigation exercise. Both crew killed. SQNLDR Stuart Fisher (pilot) FLTLT Robert Waring (Navigator) Aircraft destroyed with installed engines 3515 and 3516.
69-7204	F-4E-43-MC	4	3857	First Flight 07/07/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 28/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 20/10/72 Modified to F-4G. Served with 21st CW, 31st TFW, 347 TFW, 52nd TFW, 37th TFW, 35th TFW, 35th FW, 124th FG USAF. To AMARC as FP1006, 02/01/96. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-144) 07/01/96. Destoyed as target 10/08/2006
69-7205	F-4E-43-MC	5	3858	Delivered to 82 Wing 21/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 21/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW with USAF. Written off 29/03/80 while on post maintenance test flight, California.
69-7206	F-4E-43-MC	6	3860	Delivered to 82 Wing 21/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. On 28/01/72, the right tyre (which had been deflating since start) blew on take-off and the disintegrating tyre caused considerable damage to the lower wing surface. The repairs (including USAF involvement) took about six months Issue to 482 Maintenance Sqn 31/07/72. Reflown 09/72 Returned to USAF 06/06/73. Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW, 35th TFW, 37th TFW, Det 5 TAWC, 4485th FWW, Det 6 79th TEG with USAF. Became instructional airframe at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Reported as having been taken out to Nellis Range complex by 07/96, Current status unknown but after 20 years out on the ranges there is probably little chance of it surviving.
69-7207	F-4E-43-MC	7	3862	First Flight 10/07/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 21/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 06/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347 TFW, 35th TFW, 37th TFW, 35th FW, 124th FG with USAF. Flew 62 missions and fired 27 missiles during Operation Desert Storm. Named "Laura L". Last combat use of F-4G and Harm when destroyed a SAM site 24/07/93 in Iraq. To AMARC as FP0971, 04/04/95. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-172) 19/09/97. Destroyed as target 16/12/98
69-7208	F-4E-43-MC	8	3864	First Flight 14/07/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 06/10/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Participant in Richmond Airshow 1973. Flew the last Phantom mission in the RAAF, Sqn Ldr David Rogers flew the sortie with FLTLT Lester Cavanagh on 20/06/73. Returned to USAF 21/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW, 35th TFW, 37th TFW, 3rd TFW, 124th FG with USAF. Crashed, 01/03/95 after Engine bleed air failure which produced smoke in cockpit and the crew ejected. RAAF Museum Point Cook has an ex-USAF Phantom 69-0237 marked as RAAF 69-7208
69-7209	F-4E-43-MC	9	3865	Delivered to 82 Wing 21/09/70. Served 1 Sqn RAAF. Participant RAAF 50th Anniversary Airshow 04/71. Stabilator found cracked, after X-ray 1972. Returned to USAF 22/10/72 At Ramstein AB, Germany (with 69-7234) from '73-'78. Modified to F-4G between 1978-81. Served with 347th TFW, 35th TFW, 37th TFW, 52nd TFW USAF. To AMARC as FP0849, 08/05/92. To MFSI, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF208) 17/05/99. Located at Tyndall AFB Tail code TD 53WEG as June 2001. Destroyed as target 01/02/2006.
69-7210	F-4E-43-MC	10	3866	First Flight 17/07/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 26/10/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Participated in Richmond Airshow 1973. Returned to USAF 20/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW, 3rd TFW, 35th TFW, 37th TFW, 52nd TFW USAF. Credited with 3 kills on Iraqi radar sites in the gulf war. To AMARC as FP1035, 26/03/96. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-171) 15/09/97. Destroyed as target 12/06/2001.
69-7211	F-4E-43-MC	11	3868	First Flight 17/07/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 26/10/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 21/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW, 35th TFW, 37th TFW, 3rd TFW, 52nd TFW USAF. Participated with Operation Southern Watch and Desert Storm. To AMARC as FP1018, 14/02/96. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-145) 12/12/96. Destroyed as target 07/11/2002.
69-7212	F-4E-43-MC	12	3869	First Flight 21/07/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 21/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 20/10/72. Modified to F-4G. Served with 36th TFW, 347th TFW, 56th TFW, 4th TFW, 52nd TFW, 35th TFW USAF. Credited with 5 kills on Iraqi Radar in Desert Storm, during 60 combat missions. Last unit 561 FS, 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, NV, To AMARC as FP1003, 07/12/95. This was one of only two surviving ex-RAAF Phantoms not converted to a QF-4 target drone. 03/2016 still held at AMARG Queensland Air Museum lodged an expression of interest in obtaining 69-7212 for preservation Departed AMARG between 15/12/2017 and 16/01/2018 Reported as scrapped at HVF West Metals as of 02/2018
69-7213	F-4E-43-MC	13	3871	Delivered to 82 Wing 25/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Laverton Airshow 18/04/1971. Returned to USAF 20/10/72 Modified to F-4G. Crashed 13/03/80, enroute to Bardenas Reales Weapons Range, Spain. Crew killed
69-7214	F-4E-43-MC	14	3873	Delivered to 82 Wing 06/10/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 25/10/72 Modified to F-4G. Served with 35th FW USAF. To AMARC as FP0862, 22/06/92. To MFSI, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-207) 06/05/99. To Tyndall AFB after fuel foam replacement 02/03/2000. Destroyed as target 07/05/2003
69-7215	F-4E-43-MC	15	3874	Delivered to 82 Wing 28/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 12/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW, Written off 06/12/76 Nellis AFB, Nevada during a Red Flag mission.
69-7216	F-4E-43-MC	16	3876	Delivered to 82 Wing 28/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Participant RAAF 50th Anniversary Airshow, Edinburgh SA 04/71. Returned to USAF 21/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW, 35th TFW, 37th TFW, USAF. Flew 50 missions in Operation Desert Storm. Last unit 561 FS, 35th Wing, George AFB, CA, To AMARC as FP0807, 21/01/92. This was one of only two surviving ex-RAAF Phantoms not converted to a QF-4 target drone. 69-7216 was reportedly earmarked for preservation at Boise AB, Idaho although they already have an F-4G preserved there (69-7551). 03/2016 still held at AMARG Queensland Air Museum lodged an expression of interest in obtaining 69-7216 for preservation Sold for scrap (probably to HVF West Metals) departing AMARG between 21/03/2018 and 18/04/2018
69-7217	F-4E-43-MC	17	3877	First Flight 24/07/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 28/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 22/10/72 Modified to F-4G. Served with 4th TFW, 52nd TFW, 347th TFW, 3rd TFW, 124th FG USAF. To AMARC as FP1027, 25/03/96. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-141) 02/08/96. Destroyed as target 17/11/99
(69-7218)	F-4E-43-MC	N/A	3879	This aircraft was originally allotted to RAAF but not delivered and 69-7234 was substituted instead. Originally, all Phantoms allotted to the RAAF were to be delivered off the line in production sequence. 69-7218 was on the first leg of the delivery flight from St Louis to George AFB, California. While conducting the air-refueling system check during the flight, the tanker's boom stuck in the refuelling receptacle. Despite all efforts it remained stuck and a brute force disconnect damaged the aircraft. The aircraft returned to St Louis and was replaced by the spare, 69-7234, This accounts for the gap in the sequential numbering of RAAF Phantoms. To AMARC as AAFP0598 Dec 19, 1990. Converted to F-4G. AF-141 To AMARC as AAFP1027 25/03/1996 To Tyndall AFB as QF-4G 15/03/1997, Destroyed on 20/03/2002. We are seeking a photograph of 69-0218 clearly showing RAAF marking
69-7219	F-4E-43-MC	19	3880	Delivered to 82 Wing 28/09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Returned to USAF 12/06/73 Modified to F-4G. Served with 57th FWW, 347th TFW, 35th TFW, 37th TFW USAF. Crashed 21/11/86, while training at George Air Force Base in Victorville, California.
69-7220	F-4E-43-MC	20	3881	First Flight 29/07/70. Delivered to 82 Wing 09/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. This aircraft was overstressed in flight, the engines needed to be returned to the USA for overhaul. Authorised for return 18/10/72. Returned to USAF 11/72 Modified to F-4G. Served with 67th TRW, 35th TFW, 33rd TFW, 3rd TFW, 124th FG. To AMARC as FP1046, 20/04/96. To Tracor, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-150) 04/03/97. Destroyed as a target 03/05/2005.
69-7234	F-4E-43-MC	34	3902	Delivered to 82 Wing 06/10/70. Served with 1 and 6 Sqns RAAF. Badly damaged 19/10/70 at Amberley QLD, after an in-flight equipment failure the aircraft was damaged during landing. The nose wheel steering and brake anti skid were not working. The pilot received minor injuries and navigator was un-injured. The rebuild took 18,750 man-hours. A large crack was also found in its stabilator during the rebuild, which meant most of the other aircraft stabilators required an X-ray in 1972. Flown 09/71. To 82 Wing 15/10/71. Returned to USAF 22/10/72 Served with 86th TFW, 526th TFS at Ramstein from 1973 until at least 1978 as an F-4E. Modified to F-4G between 1978-81. Served with 347th TFW, 35th TFW,37th TFW,52nd TFW USAF. The only Wild Weasel in Desert Storm that retained old Euro-One camouflage Credited with 4 kills on Iraqi Radar sites during Operation Desert Storm. To AMARC as FP0761, 20/09/91. To MFSI, Mojave, CA. Converted to QF-4G (AF-212) 31/08/99. (and finally received its Hill Grey paint scheme) Spotted 2001 at Holloman AFB from 82nd ATS. "TD" tail code Destroyed as target 21/07/2005.

RAAF Museum F-4E Phantom

USAF.Serial

Aircraft.Type

Tail Code

C/N

Aircraft History

67-0237

(Representing
69-7208)

F-4E-34-MC

2912

The Phantom at Point Cook painted as 69-7208 is really ex-USAF 67-0237,
(Previously incorrectly reported as 67-0327)
67-0237 served with the 3rd TFW and 21 CW with the USAF.
After some high level negotiations around 1989-1990 the USAF donated former USAF F-4E-34-MC 67-0237 (c/n 2912) to the RAAF.
In 03/89, 67-0237 was flown to Oakland, California for shipment to Australia aboard HMAS Tobruk.
When the donated F-4E arrived at Brisbane, Qld docks she was transported by road to RAAF Amberley where staff of No.3 Aircraft Depot painted her to represent 69-7208 "8".
This was the aircraft that flew the last RAAF Phantom mission.
On completion of the repaint she was again loaded aboard HMAS Tobruk for transport to Geelong, Vic. docks.
On 05/11/89 the final part of the journey was made by road to the RAAF Museum at Point Cook.
The most obvious external difference from this block 34 airframe and the RAAF's original aircraft are the slated wing and tail leading edges unlike the RAAF's unslated block 43 aircraft.
On permanent loan to the RAAF Museum and on display in the Strike Hangar at Point Cook.

RAAF F-4E Phantom Serial Summary

Summary of RAAF Serials, USAF Serials, C/N, RAAF tail numbers, AMARC storage codes QF-4G conversion numbers.

RAAF Stores Serial *	USAF Serial	C/N	Type	RAAF Tail Code	AMARC Number	QF-4G Conv Number
N/A **	67-0237	2912	F-4E-34-MC	8	N/A	N/A
A69-0304	69-0304	3847	F-4E-43-MC	04	AAFP0856 AAFP1063	AF-203
A69-0305	69-0305	3848	F-4E-43-MC	05	AAFP1044	AF-170
A69-0306	69-0306	3850	F-4E-43-MC	06	AAFP1008	AF-131
A69-0307	69-0307	3851	F-4E-43-MC	07	AAFP1010	AF-134
A69-7201	69-7201	3854	F-4E-43-MC	1	AAFP0828	AF-205
A69-7202	69-7202	3855	F-4E-43-MC	2	AAFP1026	AF-146
A69-7203	69-7203	3856	F-4E-43-MC	3	N/A	N/A
A69-7204	69-7204	3857	F-4E-43-MC	4	AAFP1006	AF-144
A69-7205	69-7205	3858	F-4E-43-MC	5	N/A	N/A
A69-7206	69-7206	3806	F-4E-43-MC	6	N/A	N/A
A69-7207	69-7207	3862	F-4E-43-MC	7	AAFP0971	AF-172
A69-7208	69-7208	3864	F-4E-43-MC	8	N/A	N/A
A69-7209	69-7209	3865	F-4E-43-MC	9	AAFP0849	AF-208
A69-7210	69-7210	3866	F-4E-43-MC	10	AAFP1035	AF-171
A69-7211	69-7211	3868	F-4E-43-MC	11	AAFP1018	AF-145
A69-7212	69-7212	3869	F-4E-43-MC	12	AAFP1003	N/A
A69-7213	69-7213	3871	F-4E-43-MC	13	N/A	N/A
A69-7214	69-7214	3873	F-4E-43-MC	14	AAFP0862 AAFP1067	AF-207
A69-7215	69-7215	3874	F-4E-43-MC	15	N/A	N/A
A69-7216	69-7216	3876	F-4E-43-MC	16	AAFP0807	N/A
A69-7217	69-7217	3877	F-4E-43-MC	17	AAFP1027	AF-141
N/A ***	69-7218	3879	F-4E-43-MC	N/A	AAFP0598	AF-218
A69-7219	69-7219	3880	F-4E-43-MC	19	N/A	N/A
A69-7220	69-7220	3881	F-4E-43-MC	20	AAFP1046	AF-150
A69-7234	69-7234	3902	F-4E-43-MC	34	AAFP0761	AF-212

*           Not applied to aircraft but noted on RAAF Aircraft History Cards.
**         Aircraft on loan to the RAAF Museum, Point Cook from the USAF and painted to represent 69-7208.
***       Aircraft not delivered to RAAF and 69-7234 was substituted. The RAAF Aircraft History Card for A69-7234 appears with the original serial 97218 struck out.

The Authors of this page are Darren Crick, Martin Edwards & Brendan Cowan

Source: Australian Aviation Magazine, Airforce Monthly Magazine, The AMARC Experience, RAAF Museum - Point Cook VIC, RAAF Status Cards. http://angelfire.com/extreme/raafphantoms, http://amarcexperience.com/ui/,

Emails: Gordon Birkett, Jim Masocco, James D Sieff, AVM Dave Rogers Rtd, Teena Cardillo, Michel Klaver, Joe Fox, Andy Marden, Ron Cuskelly, Brendan Cowan, Kurt Finger, Rob Logie

Converted to CMS 19th August 2025

Updated 23rd January 2019