Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1980
McDonnell Douglas F-4G "Wild Weasel"69-7232, 561st FS/57th FW, 1996 "YGBSM"
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
On February 1, 1993 F-4G 69-7232 was with the 561st TFS / 57th TFW at Nellis AFB, Nevada. On March 26, 1996 F-4G 69-7232 was sent to AMARC and in 1997 it went to Holloman AFB as a QF-4G Drone. On October 1, 1996 the 561st TFS was inactivated. The origin of YGBSM came from an F-100 "Wild Weasel" pilot in Vietnam when he learned their job was to be shot at so they could shoot back. His reply "You gotta be shittin' me!".
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 |