Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1976

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

VF-84 “Jolly Rogers” received the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II in 1964. In 1970 concerns about the F-4B’s condition eventually led to 228 being converted to F-4Ns. These aircraft were completely stripped, refurbished and upgraded. The first F-4N flew on June 4, 1972 with F-4B 150415 being the 95th aircraft to be converted. In 1975 VF-84’s last cruise with the F-4N was in the Mediterranean on board the USS F. D. Roosevelt. F-4N 150415 was one of 78 F-4Ns converted to QF-4N drones. VF-84 converted to the F/A-18 Hornet in 1976.

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.