Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1906
McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ 302 Sqn, 2nd Wing JASDF (Chitose AB, Japan)
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
The 302 Hikotai (Air Squadron) was formed in 1974 as part of 83 Kokugun (Air Group), 2 Kokudan (Air Wing). They were based at Chitose AB, Hokkaido; the main JASDF base in northern Japan. Its primary task was to monitor Japan’s maritime border with Russia. F-4EJ 07-8432 was produced in 1980 and on October 29, 1984 at approximately 13.42 had the misfortune of suffering engine troubles while on a training flight and crashed into the sea. Pilot Major Hironaka Katsuhiko, WSO Captain Noguchi Moritaka ejected and were safely recovered.
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 |