F-4E Phantom II

F-4E Phantom II airplane model. The F-4E Phantom is essentially an F-4D with upgraded J79-GE-17 engines, providing 900 lbs. more static sea level thrust each, and equipped with a M61A1 "Vulcan" 20mm cannon. Lessons learned from Vietnam directly influenced the cannon's addition due to low air-to-air missile fire-to-hit ratios and frequent subsonic 'dogfights,' where the F-4 was less maneuverable than enemy aircraft like the MiG 17 and MiG 21. To reduce weight, the hydraulically powered wing-folding mechanism and emergency ram-air turbine were removed, and a seventh fuel cell was added. Starting with block 41 aircraft, self-sealing fuel tanks were introduced, decreasing fuel capacity by 139 gallons but enhancing combat survivability.

McDonnell Douglas manufactured 5,057 F-4s, with 1,370 being F-4Es. Mitsubishi assembled 127 F-4EJs from 11 kits under license, totaling 5,195 airframes. The USAF ordered 993 F-4E models, although over 100 were diverted or directly delivered to other countries. The F-4 served in the USAF, US Navy, US Marine Corps, and the armed forces of the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Germany, Spain, Iran, Turkey, Greece, and Egypt.
Mahogany Wood. Scale: 1/48. Wingspan 11 inches, Length 18 inches.