The F-4 Phantom II was a long range supersonic interceptor and fighter-bomber that proved extremely versatile. Originally developed by McDonnell Douglas and manufactured between 1958 and 1981, the Phantom is one of the most successful and long lived modern military aircraft; first entering service in 1960 with the US Navy.
In the UK the Phantom was first introduced by the Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm) in 1966. The aircraft entered RAF service in August 1968 with 228 OCU at RAF Coningsby (then, a training unit for the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II) and the RAF operated this aircraft type until the 1st of October 1992 with the retirement of the last RAF phantom squadron, 74 fighter Squadron known as "Tiger Squadron", at RAF Wattisham. The aircraft is still operational with a number of other airforces worldwide.
