Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1965
McDonnell Douglas F-4N VF-161 "CHARGERS", CAG Bird of CVW-5, USS Midway 1977
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
VF-161 "Chargers" was formed during WWII. On February 1, 1971 the squadron was assigned to the USS Midway and CVW-5 for the first time. In the summer of 1977 VF-161 traded their F-4N for the F-4J variant. F-4N BuNo. 151433 c/n 425 originally was an F-4B converted to F-4N standards and used as the CAG aircraft in 1977. F-4N 151433 was withdrawn from use on October 20, 1977 and was stored at AMARC as AN 8F072 until 1993 when it was finally scrapped.
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 |