Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1978
McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II 66-496, 48th TFW, RAF Lakenheath, 1975
General Background
The F-4D was an improved “C” variant with most improvements being internal electronics and
avionics. The F-4D entered operational service in April 1966 and joined the combat forces in
Southeast Asia in May 1967. With the arrival of the “D” most of the “C” variant
was reassigned to ground attack with the “D”s taking on the air-to-air interceptor role. In 1968 –
1969 a total of 825 “D” models were produced 793 for the USAF and 32 for the Iranian Air Force.
The Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II 66-7496 was delivered in 1970 the USAF 417th TFS (67th
TRW). In 1971 the aircraft went the 417th TFS (49th TFW) but in 1975 the F-4D moved to the
USAF 493rd TFS (48th TFW) based at RAF Lakenheath, England where it remained until 1979.
That year 66-496 began the first of several more moves that included three different ANG TFS’s
between 1980 with the last being the Minnesota ANG in 1990. In July 1990 the aircraft was sent
to AMARC for storage.
Specifications :
| Type: | Fighter |
| Entered Operational Service: | April 1966 |
| Crew: | 2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length: | 62 ft. 10 in. (18.9 m) |
| Height: | 16 ft. 6 in. (5.03 m) |
| Wingspan: | 38 ft. 5 in. (11.71 m) |
| Wingarea: | 530 sq ft. (49.23 sq m) |
| Powerplant | |
| Engines: | 2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets |
| Thrust: | Dry - 11,870 lb. st |
| With Afterburners - 17,900 lb. st | |
| Performance |
|
| Range: | 1375 mi (2,214 km) |
| Cruise Speed: | 587 mph (945 kph) (510.81 kt) |
| Max Speed: | @ 42,000 ft - 1,432 mph (2,304.5 kph) (12,801 m) (Mach 2.17) |
| @ Sea Level - 826 mph (1,329.3 kph) (Mach 1.08) | |
| Landing speed: | 165 mph (265.5 kph) |
| Initial rate of climb: | 40,100 fpm (12,222.5 m/min) |
| Maximum rate of climb: | 48,300 fpm (14,721.1 m/min) |
| Ceiling: | 59,400 ft (18,104 m) |
| Combat range: | 502 miles (807.9 km) |
| Maximum range: | 1,844 miles (2,967.6 km) with maximum external fuel. |
| Armament: | (4) Aim-7D or (4) Aim-7E Sparrow missiles semi-recessed on slots in the fuselage belly |
| + up to (4) Aim-9 Sidewinder missiles on the inboard pylons or up to (18) x 750 lb | |
| (340 kg) bombs for a maximum offensive load of 16,000 lbs (7,257.48 kg) |