Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1923
McDonnel Douglas F-4J Phantom II VX-4 "Vandy 1", 153783, Oct 1972
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
Vandy 1" is the traditional tactical callsign the US Navy gave to a specific aircraft that was assigned to the various test and evaluation squadrons on the west coast of California. These squadrons VX-4, and VX-5 were commissioned in 1951.
The first appearance of the Navy Blue-black jet was in 1967-68 on an F4 Phantom II used in night testing. This black jet paint scheme continued up until 2004 with the final all black F-14D Tomcat being retired from Naval service in July 2004.
The first appearance of the Navy Blue-black jet was in 1967-68 on an F4 Phantom II used in night testing. This black jet paint scheme continued up until 2004 with the final all black F-14D Tomcat being retired from Naval service in July 2004.
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 |