Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1977

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 F-4F variant of the McDonnell Douglas Phantom II entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1974. Eventually 175 F-4Fs would replace the F-104Gs Starfighters used by two interceptor wings (JG-71 and JG-74) and two ground attack wings (JBG-35 and JBG-36). F-4F 72-1223 C/N 4644 was assigned to JBG-36 and later transferred to WTD61 (Technical and Airworthiness Centre) at Manching AB. Even when the F-4F had been removed from active service 38+13 still flew at WTD 61. On July 30, 2013 wearing a special paint scheme 38+13 made its final flight.

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.