Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1948

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 June 1959 West Germany’s first jet fighter unit was formed as Jagdgeschwader 71 (JG 71 – Fighter Wing 71). The Geschwaderkommodore (equivalent of Group Commander or Wing Commander) was the highest-scoring fighter pilot of all time Erich Hartmann. JG 71 originally was based at ex-RAF base Ahlhorn but in 1961 it transferred to Wittmund. April 21 1961 was the 43rd anniversary of the death of “The Red Baron” Manfred Von Richthofen and the unit was given the honorary title of “Richthofen”. JG 71 received the first F-4F Phantom II in 1974 that were used as Fighter/Bomber/Attack but in 1988 became strictly a Fighter Wing. The F-4F is due to be decommissioned by 2012 when they are replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Specifications :

Manufacturer:	McDonnell-Douglas
Type:	Fighter/Ground Attack
Crew:	2
Dimensions
Length:	19.40 m
Height:	5.01 m
Wingspan:	11.70 m
Weight:	Empty - 21,950 kg.
	Max T/O weight - 27,300 kg
Performance:
Engines :	2 X J79-MTU-17A engines were built under license from General Electric by Motoren-und-Turbinenen-Union Munchen GmBH
Thrust:	5,308 kg (8,120 kg with A/B)
Max speed :	Mach 2.23 @ 12,500 m
Initial Climb Rate :	41,000 ft/min (210 m/s)
Armament:	4 x AIM-120A AMRAMM air-to-air Missiles
	The F-4F originally lacked the capability of carrying nuclear weapons and it could not carry or launch certain air-to-ground missiles such as the Maverick, Shrike, or Walleye.