Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1944
McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II 66-0300, 57th FIS, Iceland, 1970s
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
The 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron "The Black Knights of Keflavik" were based at NAS Keflavik, Iceland from 1954 until March 1, 1995 when the 57th was inactivated. In 1973 the 57th FIS received the first of their F-4C's with F-4E's going to Vietnam. In March 1978 the 57th FIS began trading the F-4C variant for 12 newer F-4E's. In 1984 it was announced that the 57th FIS would receive the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. 66-0300 was sold to Turkey with a look alike in a Keflavik hangar.
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 |