Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1943

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 June 29, 2013 a ceremony was held at Wittmund AB, Germany to say farewell to the last F-4 Phantom II in the Luftwaffe. The aircraft had a special paint scheme called "First In – Last Out" along with "Phantom Pharewell" emblazoned along the fuselage sides. F-4F 37+01 serial 72-1111 took its maiden flight on May 18, 1973 becoming Germany's first and last F-4. This celebration marked 40 years of Phantom II service with the Luftwaffe that operated 175 of these aircraft and in which more than 1,000 pilots had flown.

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