Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1975

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.

The Aircraft

The first of the 175 German F-4Fs touched down at Wittmundhafen Air Base in 1973 with final delivery in April 1976. The F-4F replaced the F-104s that had equipped two interceptor wings, JG-71 Richthofen, JG-74 Molders and two ground attack wings JBG- 35 and JBG-36. 2013 saw the last of the German F-4s so F-4Fs 37+01 and 38+10 were given special paint schemes to mark the occasion. 37+01 was painted gold and blue while 38+10 was painted in Norm 72, the original paint scheme for the F-4F.

Specifications :

Manufacturer:	McDonnell-Douglas
Type:	Fighter/Ground Attack
Crew:	2
Dimensions
Length:	19.40 m
Height:	5.01 m
Wingspan:	11.70 m
Weight:	Empty - 21,950 kg.
	Max T/O weight - 27,300 kg
Performance:
Engines :	2 X J79-MTU-17A engines were built under license from General Electric by Motoren-und-Turbinenen-Union Munchen GmBH
Thrust:	5,308 kg (8,120 kg with A/B)
Max speed :	Mach 2.23 @ 12,500 m
Initial Climb Rate :	41,000 ft/min (210 m/s)
Armament:	4 x AIM-120A AMRAMM air-to-air Missiles
	The F-4F originally lacked the capability of carrying nuclear weapons and it could not carry or launch certain air-to-ground missiles such as the Maverick, Shrike, or Walleye.