Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1925

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.

The Aircraft

In 1968 Iran started to receive the F-4D and by 1977 the F-4E with estimates of 227 to 240 Phantoms total. F-4E 3-6684 was originally assigned to the 91st TFW at Bandar Abbas Air Base. In late 1981 the aircraft was sent to strengthen a squadron of the 31st TFW located at Vahdati Air Base. Iran was engaged in a war with Iraq from 1979 until 1988 and several IRIAF pilots claimed victories while flying this aircraft. There is one confirmed victory over an Iraqi MiG-21.

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