Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-4>HA1990b
McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II AF 80-573, 14th TRS, Udorn, Jan 1972
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 January 20, 1972 Pilot Bob Mock and WSO John Stiles were flying RF-4C 80-573 on a SAM locating mission. During a low-level photo pass the aircraft was shot down with the crew ejecting seconds before impact and were rescued. 37 years later in 2009 Dan Cherry, another F-4 pilot (replicated in HA1938) met the MiG-21 pilot that he had shot down in April 1972, Lt. Nguyen Hong My (replicated in HA0181). It was determined that Lt. Nguyen Hong My was responsible for shooting down RF-4C 80-573.
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 |