Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1953

General Background

In 1970 Germany joined the world-wide „Phantom-Club“ with purchasing 88 RF-4Es. These reconnaissance aircraft replaced the RF-104G Starfighter. Two wings, Aufklaerungsgeschwader 51 “Immelmann” based in Bremgarten, Southern Germany, and its sister unit, Aufklaerungsgeschwader 52 in Leck, in the far north of the country were equipped with the Recce Phantoms. Based on the US version RF-4C, the RF-4E differs in some points: The wing slats of the F-4E were used to provide better characteristics in slow flight and approach. A boundary layer system in the wings improved the aerodynamics. Also from E-version came the curved wing-pylons. To fulfill the recce-mission, cameras of two different types were installed in the nose: KS-87B and KA-56E panorama camera. No weapons were carried in the beginning of their career in the Luftwaffe apart from a radar warning receiver and an externally carried ECM-pod. Nine years later the German RF-4Es were modified to carry air-to-ground weapons, and the splinter camouflage was replaced by a more effectiv wrap-around-scheme, the Norm 83B camouflage. The camera-equipment was also improved with the AN/AAD-5 infrared-camera. A further planned upgrade programme was stopped in the early 1990ies as a result of the German reunification. Due to the end of the Cold War, the Luftwaffe decided to phase out the RF-4E Phantom II from its inventory until 1994. 27 aircraft were given to Greece and 46 to Turkey. One last RF-4E, a former instructional airframe, is now on display in the Luftwaffenmuseum in Berlin.

The Aircraft

The very first Phantom in the inventory of the German Luftwaffe was a RF-4E with the USAF serial 69-7448. As Luftwaffe serial 35+01 was applied. It was build by McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis and its maiden-flight took place on the 15 Septmber 1970. The formal hand-over was on the 22 October. The first four Recce Phantoms touched down at Bremgarten on 20 January 1971, making AG-51 “Immelmann” the first Luftwaffe unit to be equipped with the Phantom II. This flight comprised four aircraft: 69-7448, 69-7449, 69-7452 and 69-7460. They arrived first at Ramstein after passing through McDill AFB and Torrejon in Spain. In Ramstein, 35+01 received the small logo “Spirit of St. Louis” on the nose, as rememberance of Charles Lindbergh`s epic trans-atlantic flight. 35+01 served in AG-51 “Immelmann”, then flight test center, the WTD-61 at Manching AB and was finally handed over to the Turkish Air Force in November 1995.

Text: Florian Morasch / Aviation Xtreme

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