Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1951
McDonnell Douglas RF-4C 64-1047, 106th TRS, 117th TRW. Alabama Air National Guard "Desert Storm"
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 RF-4C was still in use in 1990 when six LOROP (Long Range Oblique Photography) aircraft from the 106th TRS of the 117th TRW of the Alabama ANG were deployed to Bahrain. The 106th flew cross-border recon missions during Operation Desert Shield gathering vital information about the Iraqi military build up as well as locating mobile Scud missile launchers. In December 1990 the 106th was replaced by a Nevada Guardsmen unit.
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 |