Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:15:05-3:15:29

Phantom entering service alongside Sea Vixen

A short force-transition answer shows why a new carrier fighter does not replace its predecessor fleet overnight.

De Havilland Sea VixenF-4 Phantom IIFleet Air ArmLive Q&ANaval Aviation
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Question

If Britain received the F-4 Phantom in 1964, would it serve alongside the Sea Vixen before replacing it?

Short answer

Yes; the Phantom would phase into service while Sea Vixen phased out, probably completing the transition by about 1965 or 1966.

Notes

The Fleet Air Arm would introduce Phantom squadrons progressively rather than execute an immediate fleet-wide swap. Sea Vixen would overlap briefly as training, aircraft delivery, and carrier integration proceeded. Earlier Phantom availability therefore shifts the retirement window forward without eliminating a transition period.