Re: F4 Phantom - Flying Bus???
Yes, it was in 1970 that a lot of crews at Coningsby were grounded due to shortage of engines. This followed an incident where both engines failed in the same aircraft on the same sortie. Fortunately, the second engine failed after landing.
It gave rise to a wonderful example of the late Jim McRoberts wit when, shortly after being told that he was one of the chosen few to be grounded, he announced to all present that 'for years he had been getting the !!!!ty end of the stick and now they had taken the stick away'. RIP Jim.