Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA19008
McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II BuNo.153777, 20th Anniversary Phantom First In Phantoms VF-74, Oceana NAS, 1981
General Background
The F-4 Phantom II first entered US Military service in 1960. It was designed as a fleet defense fighter for the US Navy but by 1963 it was adopted as the US Air Force primary fighter-bomber.
Despite the size and weight of this Cold War icon the F-4 broke 15 world records and continued to hold five of them until 1975.
Produced from 1960 to 1981 there were 5,195 Phantom IIs manufactured. Eleven countries other than the USA had the Phantom II in their inventory.
Produced from 1960 to 1981 there were 5,195 Phantom IIs manufactured. Eleven countries other than the USA had the Phantom II in their inventory.
The Aircraft
VF-74 “Bedevilers” were the first USN squadron to be deployed with the F-4 Phantom II. In July
1961 VF-74 traded their Douglas Skyrays for the F4H-1/F-4B thereby becoming the “First In
Phantom”. During the next twenty years VF-74 would fly three variants of the Phantoms 13 times
on Mediterranean cruises and twice to SEA. In those twenty years 15777 spent time with other
squadrons but by 1981 returned to VF-74 and given the special scheme “20 years 1961 – 1981
First In Phantoms”. In 1984 15777 was sent to the bone yard.
Specifications :
| Dimensions | |
| Length: | 17.7m |
| Height: | 4.7m |
| Wingspan: | 11.6m |
| Wingarea: | 49.2 sq m |
| No. of Engines: | 2 |
| Powerplant : | General Electric J79-GE-10 (A/B 17,900Lb/8,119Kg) |
| Performance |
|
| Range: | 2,222 km |
| Cruise Speed: | 908 km/h |
| Max Speed: | 2,299 km/h |
| Climb: | 12,572 m/min |
| Ceiling: | 16,672 m |