RAAF F-4 Alternatives

[GTX]

Hi folks,

Duriung the early 1970's the RAAF leased a squadron of USAF F-4Es pending arrival of the F-111C.  What other alternatives did the RAAF have?  Remember that the aircraft were to be used primarily in the bombing role.  Some of the alternatives I can imagine were:

A-6 Intruder; and
F-105 Thud.

Any other suggestions - remember also that the aircraft would have already had to been in operational service for a lease to happen

Regards,

Greg

[borntokillagain]

Mirage IV, Vulcan, Valiant maybe

[Shasper]

Victor

B-58

Buccaneer?



shas B)

[Geoff_B]

The lease of Vulcans as a stopgap replacement for Canberra's whilst the TSR2 was under development was part of the British Offer. The US did the same by initially offering B-47 and then upgraded it to B-58. As it happened the F-111 program and its introduction into service was ahead of schedule so the offer wasn't taken up. Then the problems occured with the F-111 and a new quick stopgap was needed....

[Sisko]

Here is something.

What if the RAAF decided not give the F4's back? Many in the RAAF were not keen to hand them back so it is not beyond the realm of reason to believe that the F4's could have continued on in some capacity. Maybe as a wild weasel or an  interim replacement for the mirage to give the time for the govt to select a real replacement like the F-15.

Just a thought.

[Archibald]

B-47 Stratojet taken out of storage at Davis Monthan . Or Mirage IVO (for Ostralia seriously the letter A was used for development aircrafts)  

[GTX]

Sisko,

What if the RAAF decided not give the F4's back? Many in the RAAF were not keen to hand them back so it is not beyond the realm of reason to believe that the F4's could have continued on in some capacity.

True, the RAAF did want to keep the F-4s for the Close Support Role.  The USAF did offer to let Australia purchase the surviving aircraft (one -USAF No. 69-7203 was lost in 1971) for a total of $A54m.  However, it was going to be much more expensive in reality since extra spares and ground handling equipment would have been required to be purchased (the original equip was also leased).

Furthermore, it was determined that to keep them would have required the disbandment of one Mirage Squadron as well as the need to recruit and train some 320 pilots and airman - remember those already flying the F-4s were scheduled to transfer to the F-111.

Regards,

Greg

[SPINNERS]

Buccaneer. Now we need a colour scheme...

[GTX]

How about the same scheme as worn by the RAAF F-4Es or the F-111s when they first turned up:




This is pretty much what I'm planning to do with the RAAF A-6E (pre-TRAM) that I have on the planning table.

Regards,

Greg

[Matt Wiser]

How about converting the Mirage squadrons to F-4s and purchasing enough Phantoms to fill the Air Defense Mission in the process? Then when the F-14 or F-15 come along...

[Cartman]

The RAAF were fond of the F-4 Phantom.  One of the reasons that Australia chose not to buy them is that, for the long range strike role, a fleet of KC-135 tanker aircraft would have to bought.  That would have been very expensive indeed!

[Archibald]

Buying Mirage G8, ACF Mirage 4000 or Mirage IVP instead of Phantom or F-111

[lancer]

Buccaneer. Now we need a colour scheme...

Good choice. I like it.

[upnorth]

I like the Mirage IV for this, just because I can see a nice formation of Mirage IIIs and IVs in full ARDU markings.

[Radish]

Stick with the F-4E and later update it....add some cool Aussie colours and markings too.
Buy some tankers or build some more airstrips, especially in the Whatif scenario!

Phantoms....the way to go!!