Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1934
F-4E Phantom II 67-0362, 58th TFS, 432nd TRW, Udorn RTAB, Thailand, 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
On July 8 1972 F-4E 67-0362 crewed by Capt. Steve Ritchie and RIO Capt. Chuck DeBellevue received a call from an EC-121 that MiG-21s were heading their way. As two MiGs sped past 67-0362 did a 180 turn and pursued them. Ritchie and DeBellevue shot down both MiGs, bringing Ritchie's tally so far to 3 and DeBellevue's to 4. Capt. Ritchie left Vietnam with 5 kills and Capt. DeBellvue with 6 making him the first RIO/WSO and the only USAF aviator to score that many.
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 |