Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1967
McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II VMFA-122 Crusaders, Danang Air Base, Vietnam 1968
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 1965 VMFA-122(AW) returned to their base at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and transitioned to the F-4B Phantom II and were re-designated VMFA-122 Crusaders. In August 1967 they deployed to Danang Airbase, Vietnam for five months. During this time the squadron flew 2,540 sorties and delivered 4,800 tons of ordnance. February 1968 saw VMFA-122 fly 629 sorties and drop 1,300 tons during the Siege at Khe Sahn. The squadron left for MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in September 1968 only to return to Vietnam in the summer of 1969.
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 |