Royal Air Force bid farewell to their Phantom jets at RAF Wattisham airbase July 1992.

RAF Wattisham in Suffolk appeared to be the epicentre of the bad weather across the UK in July 1992. This was the day before the official stand down of a genuinely iconic jet in British Air Force service. We arrived here to see the arrivals for an extraordinary day. 

The 4th of July 1992 was officially known as the "Farewell to the Phantoms" at R.A.F. Wattisham. There was more to come of this iconic RAF aircraft. It was, in fact, the demise of 56 Squadron's Phantoms. With 74 squadrons, the Phantoms continued operations, including a mini Tiger Meet in September, and before their stand-down on 1 October 1992, at R.A.F. Wattisham.

It is easy to find images of this legendary meeting, but few are shown of the arrival day, which sadly led to some cancellations due to the cyclonic weather.

XT914 (Z) Phantom FGR.2 74 Squadron "Tigers" RAF.

It took off at R.A.F. Wattisham on 3 July 1992 in appalling weather conditions.

XT914 (Z) Phantom FGR.2 74 Squadron "Tigers" RAF.

XV393 (Q) Phantom FGR.2 74 Squadron "Tigers" RAF.

This aircraft was the 1992 Phantom display jet, launched with XT914 above.

XV496 (A) McDonald Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR.2 56 Squadron "Firebirds" RAF.

XV496 (A) McDonald Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR.2 56 Squadron "Firebirds" RAF.

XP693 Lightning F.6 BAE.

XP693 Lightning F.6 embellished in 56 Squadrons "Firebirds" marks for the "Farewell to the Phantoms meeting."

XP693 Lightning F.6 deploys the brake chute.

J-631 and J-645 F-16A's 306 Squadron RNlAF arrived to join the FA-26 F-16A BAF.

38+42 F-4F JG 71 "Richthofen" GAF. Arriving from Wittmundhaven. The coloured panels are for use when carrying out DACT exercises.

It was to join 38+53 and 38+30 F-4Fs from the newly formed JG72 "Westfalen" that arrived from Hopsten.

XX348 Hawk T.1 arrives from the 1 TWU at R.A.F. Brawdy for what also became a mini Hawk meet?

Beyond are some of the former 111 Squadron Phantoms that have been dumped.

XT896 (V) Phantom FGR.2 "Tiger" 

On the way to the flight line.

XM192 (K) Lightning F.1A Gate guard R.A.F. Wattisham.

Having nearly dried out from Friday's rain, the Saturday morning skies were once again threatening.

For the morning, the weather held out, albeit grey and overcast.  

Below are some of the assembled aircraft that commemorated this legendary day. People often reflect on the weather when speaking or reading about this event today. They should have braved the Friday?

 

74 Squadron's motto was "I fear no man." Sadly, by the year's end, both "Firebirds" and "Tigers" would fear the scrap man.

56 sqn. Phantoms were lined up to spell XV426 (P) PHOENIX, as is their Squadron badge, a Phoenix rising from the flames...

I look here, and I'm caught by NO HOPE?

XV467 (F) Phantom FGR.2 "Firebirds" Majestic to the end!

74 Squadron's unique "Tiger" tail was first exhibited at the 1991 IAT Fairford mini Tiger Meet.

 

XV470 (D) Phantom FGR.2  56 Sqn "Firebirds" RAF.

Sadly, XV470 (D) Phantom FGR.2 ended up at RAF Akrotiri (BDRT), Cyprus.

XT897 (Y) 'Why indeed'? The Options for Change defence review of 1991 was the culprit, resulting in the axing of 56 and 74 squadrons' Phantoms.

ZG770 (AP.) Tornado F.3 "Firebirds"

The Phoenix would rise again at RAF Coningsby with Tornado F.3 ZG770 marked for the occasion.

XP693 Lightning F.6 from BAE was also specially marked in honour of the "Firebirds".

56 Squadrons' fast jets, Lightning, Phantom, and Tornado F.3.

XT906 Phantom FGR.2 56 squadron.

XV419 (AA) Phantom FGR.2 19 Squadron, formerly from R.A.F. Wilden, Germany and RAF Akro, Tiri, Cyprus. X1X Squadron was retired in January 1992!

XV404 (I) Phantom FGR.2, an ex-19 Squadron aircraft, was seen here on the charge of 74 Squadron.

XV408 Phantom FGR.2, former 92 Squadron.

38+30 and 38+53 F-4F's from the newly formed JG72 "Westfalen" at Hopsten, formerly known as JaboG36.

770132 'CR' F-15A "Wolfhounds" 32nd TFS USAFE.

XX337 (K) Hawk T.1 151 Squadron RAF Chivenor.

XX174/174 Hawk T.1 Flying Training School 4.

XX249 Hawk T.1 Flying Training School 4.

XX289 (289) Hawk T.1 63 Squadron RAF Chivenor.

XW438 (B) Jet Provest T.5B Flying Training School 6 RAF Finningley.

ZG725 (J) Tornado GR1A 13 Squadron RAF.

ZE836 (AS) Tornado F.3 56 (R) Squadron RAF Conningsby.

Happy memories, indeed!