And one for those weird people of the North...
Canadian Phantoms!In July 1970, the Canadian aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure was decommissioned. Initially there were no plans to replace it, however after a great deal of strong lobbying from those both inside and outside of the military, it was eventually decided to look for a replacement. However, since the Government was unwilling to spend a great deal of money on a replacement, the search focused primarily on second hand ships.
Fortuitously, in 1971 the British Government had decided to decommission HMS Eagle. When the Canadian Government started searching for a new carrier, the British Government was only too happy to sell it (at a very affordable price – there being a great deal of relief at being able to find a buyer) along with a compliment of 24 Phantom FG Mk.1s. The Canadian’s however requested some modifications to the aircraft which actually brought them more into line with the RAF’s FGR Mk.2s (this mainly being done to aid in the logistics effort – it being thought that since the RAF was still operating Mk.2s, it would be wise to have commonality where possible).
1. CF-116B Phantom, VF-871, HMCS Hampton Grey, 1972 in its initial delivery scheme.
2. CF-116B Phantom, VF-870, HMCS Hampton Grey, 1972 in its initial delivery scheme, differing slightly from VF-871's machines.
At the same time as this was taking place, the Canadian Air Command (AIRCOM) was suffering from a number of serviceability problems with its CF-5 Freedom Fighters. After many months of trying to overcome the problems, it was decided to simply give up and replace them all with something else. Given that the Maritime Command (MARCOM) had just announced that it was getting Phantoms, it was decided to increase the order and purchase an additional 54 standard FGR Mk.2s. This was greatly welcomed, since many airmen had originally wanted the Phantom instead of the Freedom Fighter. In order to avoid the embarrassment of having to go back on one of its decisions, the Government declared that these too would be designated CF-116s (the CF-5’s official designation having been the CF-116) – even today this still rankles many aviation historians.
3. Canadian Air Command CF-116C Phantom, No, 419 "Moose" Squadron, in its initial, and short lived, delivery scheme, 1972.
In 1972, the new carrier, HMCS Hampton Grey (it having been named after the Canadian naval aviator who won the VC during the closing days of WWII) arrived at CFB Halifax carrying 36 CF-116s (24 naval CF-116Bs for MARCOM, and the first 12 CF-116C for AIRCOM).
4. AIRCOM CF-116C Phantom, No, 419 "Moose" Squadron, in tactical colours, 1973.
5. AIRCOM CF-116C Phantom, No, 434 "Bluenose" Squadron, in Aggressor colours, 1973.
6. AIRCOM CF-116C Phantom, No, 433 "Porcupine" Squadron, in wrap around tactical colours, 1974.
In MARCOM service, the CF-116Bs would serve with both VF-870 and VF-871 squadrons as well as the reformed “Grey Ghosts” aerobatic team (the Phantom being seen as an appropriate ghostly replacement for the Banshee).
7. MARCOM CF-116B Phantom, "Grey Ghosts" aerobatic team, 1974.
In AIRCOM service, the CF-116Cs first entered service with No. 419 ("Moose") Squadron primarily in an aggressor and training role (though they were still capable of being used in offensive operations if so required). They also replaced the CF-5s of both No.s 433 ("Porcupine") and 434 ("Bluenose") Squadrons. These squadrons were assigned the mission of reinforcing Norway should trouble ever break out in Europe. The first such European deployment with the aid of air-to-air refuelling took place June 9, 1973.
8. AIRCOM CF-116C Phantom, No, 419 "Moose" Squadron, Aggressor, 1984.
9. AIRCOM CF-116C Phantom, No, 433 "Porcupine" Squadron, Norway deployment, 1982.
10. AIRCOM CF-116C Phantom, No, 419 "Moose" Squadron, Aggressor, 1985.
11. AIRCOM CF-116C Phantom, No 433 "Porcupine" Squadron, 1986, Norway deployment, in new European 1 colours.
Both the CF-116Bs and Cs were to be replaced by the CF-188 Hornet during the late 1980s, however the Phantom's days in Canadian colours were not over yet. As the CF-116Cs still had time left on their airframes they were kept in the aggressor role with No. 419 squadron until the mid 1990s. During this time, they were also used to train new pilots in tactics and low level navigation before moving on to the CF-188 Hornet.
12. AIRCOM CF-116C Phantom, No 434 "Bluenose" Squadron, 1989, In the types final air superiority colour scheme.
13. CF-116B Phantom, VF-870, HMCS Hampton Grey, 1987, wearing a competition trials camouflage scheme. VF-870 and VF-871 were both trialing a "shallow water" tactical scheme. With each Squadron using different colours in the trials.
14. VF-871 in the trials scheme for that Squadron.This particular Phantom was involved in an incident in which it was tasked with sinking a container ship that was carrying highly flammable substances and was drifting dangerously close to populated coastal areas. 202 was vectored in to sink the ship and did so with two AGM-119B Penguin anti-ship missiles. No lives were lost. Note "kill" marking on splitter plate!
In 1991, the CF-116s were finally blooded. As part of Operation FRICTION (Canada's contribution to the 1991 liberation of Kuwait) the HMCS Hampton Grey escorted by the the destroyers HMCS Terra Nova and HMCS Athabaskan and the supply ship HMCS Protecteur joined the coalition fleet in the Persian Gulf. In addition No. 434 squadron was deployed to Saudi Arabia. When the air war began, both the CF-116Bs and Cs were integrated into the coalition force and provided air cover and attacked ground targets. This was the first time since the Korean War that Canadian forces had participated in offensive combat operations. Overall during the operation the CF-116Bs and Cs flew a total of 2400 hrs.
15. No. 434 Squadron, Saudi Arabia, 1991, Operation Friction. This particular CF-116C Phantom shot down an Iraqi Mirage F.1EQ with a Skyflash air to air missile. Also visible on the splitter plate are five dumb bomb and twelve Laser Guide Bomb markings.
16. Another Operation Friction CF-116C Phantom from No. 434 "Bluenose" Squadron, this time with Sharkmouth and five dumb bomb and five LGB markings.
17. VF-870 CF-116B Phantom, HMCS Hampton Grey, Operation Friction, Persian Gulf, 1991. Phantom 106 shot down an Iraqi Su-24 Fencer and an Su-22 Fitter, both with AIM-9L Sidewinder. Both jets were spotted flying very low in the Persian Gulf, apparently trying to make it to Iran. All of Hampton Grey's Air Wing carried Sharkmouths during Operation Friction.
18. VF-871, CF-116 Phantom, HMCS Hampton Grey, Operation Friction, Persian Gulf, 1991. Phantom 210 shot down an Iraqi MiG-25 Foxbat on the opening day of what would famously be known as Desert Storm. 210 also sported a Sharkmouth for the Operation and had also sunk three Iraqi Patrol boats with AGM-119B Penguin anti-ship missiles near the Shatt al Arab water way.
Eventually, in 1995, the Department of National Defence initiated a 25 percent cut in the strength of Fighter Group, forcing a substantial portion of the active CF-188 fleet to be put into storage. To prevent further cuts in the CF-188 fleet, the Canadian Armed Forces agreed to eliminate all its CF-116s from the active inventory.
