Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1938B

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

On April 16, 1972 four F-4Ds were on combat patrol over North Vietnam. The third aircraft, 66-7550 c/n 2085, was crewed by pilot Major Dan Cherry and WSO Jeff Feinstein. The four F-4Ds encountered several MiG-19 and MiG-21s and after a five minute dogfight Cherry and Feinstein scored their first victory. The MiG-21 pilot was Lieutenant Nguyen Hong My who survived the war and on April 16, 2009 was the guest of honor at the public opening of the 66-7550 display in the Aviation Heritage Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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