Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1960
McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom VF-111, USS Coral Sea "Sundowners", 1972
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
In 1971 VF-111 “Sundowners” transitioned to the F-4B Phantom II. On March 6, 1972 F-4B Bu.
No 153019 – 201 was operating from the USS Coral Sea using the call-sign “Old Nick 201”.
The aircraft was assigned to CDR Bob Pearl and Lt. Gil Sliney but this day Lt. Gary Weigand
and Lt(jg) Bill Freckleton were at the controls when they encountered a MiG-17 over the Gulf of
Tonkin and destroyed it with an AIM-9D making this F-4B a MiG killer. The “Sundowners” later
transitioned to the F-4N variant. Aircraft, F-4B, NL 201, Bu.No. 153019 was restored to the
original paint scheme by one of the later VF-111 squadrons. “Old Nick 201” is perched on a
pedestal just inside the main gate at NAS Key West, Florida.
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 |