The unmistakable profile of five F-4 Phantoms loomed ever closer to the destination of RAF Wattisham in Suffolk. Just before reaching the airfield, the escorting Phantom FGR.2s from 56 Squadron climbed away, leaving the other three to break into the circuit and land. It was clear that this trio was different to the other F-4s resident at Wattisham. Apart from the obvious physical differences when compared to the Rolls-Royce-Spey-powered FGR.2s, the aircraft were, in fact, the first of 15 ex-US Navy F-4Js equipped with General Electric J79 engines. Purchased to plug a hole in the UK's air defence system, it's the peculiar duck-egg blue scheme - emblazoned with distinctive black-and-yellow dicing, along with a tiger's head - that catches most people's attention. While officially designated the F-4J(UK), these Phantoms would simply be referred to as the 'F-4J' or just 'J' by those that flew and worked on them. The date was August 30,1984, and 74 (Fighter) Squadron had a new 'big cat' on its flight line.
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