| The
Phantom was one of the few airplanes utilized by both the Air Force and
Navy simultaneously. It was built under the Pentagon's belief that dog
fighting was a thing of the past. During it's service in Vietnam that belief
proved to be a fallacy as U.S. forces attempted to mount cannons to the
underbelly of the airplane to counter their close in combat against MiGs.
First flown on May 27, 1958, forty years later this airplane is still a
valuable part of the U.S. inventory as the Wild Weasel, an electronics
warfare platform used to jam and overpower enemy radar. When production
of the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II ended in October 1979, a total of 5,057
aircraft had been built. US Air Force (2,597), US Navy/Marine Corps (1,264),
and export customers (1,196). In addition, 11 airplanes in kit form had
been supplied to Japan, where Mitsubishi built an additional 127 airplanes
under license to bring the final figure for Phantom II production to 5,195
planes. This remarkable total far outstrips that of any other post-1960
jet aircraft built in the Western world, and is challenged only by the
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Phantoms saw extensive use in Southeast Asia,
and since that time Phantoms have played (and continue to play in the 1990s)
a significant first-line role in service with the armed forces of several
countries. In addition to their service use, F-4s have held world absolute
records in their time, an altitude record of 98,556 ft. set on December
6, 1959, and a speed record of 1,606.51 mph on November 22, 1961. Though
these records have since been beaten, the Phantom is considered to be one
of the world's finest all-around military combat aircraft.
Versions:
F-4B (originally F4H-l): production version generally similar to late
F-4As, but powered by the intended 17,000-lb afterburning thrust J79-GE-8
turbojets; equipped for fighter/strike role, F4Bs had APQ-72 fire-control
radar and could carry the basic Sparrow missiles plus four AIM-9 Sidewinders,
or up to 16,000 lbs. of assorted weapons. (649 airplanes built.)
F-4E: Major production version, introducing more powerful J79-GE-17
(17,000 lb.) turbojets, increased fuel capacity, redesigned nose with smaller
APQ-120 radar, leading-edge slats to improve maneuverability, and 20-mm
multi-barreled cannon. Also on this version of the airplane were four AIM-7
Sparrow missiles semi-recessed beneath fuselage, or up to 3,020 pounds
of weapons on center pylon, and up to 12,980 pounds on underwing weapons.
Maximum speed Mach 2.25 or 1,485 mph at 40,000 ft., service ceiling 62,250
ft., combat radius 595 miles. (1,405 airplanes built.)
F-4J: production fighter for US Navy, with 17,900-lb afterburning thrust
J79-GE-10 turbojets, enlarged wing and tail revisions to improve takeoff/landing,
and advanced avionics including automatic carrier landing system. (12 airplanes
built.)
F-4N: redesignation of 228 USN F-4Bs following updating with advanced
avionics and strengthening of structure under 1971 Service Life Extension
Program; some airplanes later converted to QF-4N pilotless target drones
to replace veteran QF-86s used by Pacific Missile Test Center at Point
Mugu, California, and likely to be the last use of the F-4 by the US Navy.
F-4S: redesignation of F-4Js following updating with strengthened structure
and introduction of leading-edge slats. |
#AM045-HL
#AM045-GL
|
#AM045-DL
|
#AM045-EL
|
#AM045-FL
|
#AM045-JL
|
#AM045-LL or #C3148F3W
|
All airplane models are Hand Carved, Hand Painted
Mahogany and comes fully assembled with removable desk stand. |