F-4G Wild Weasel

F-4G Wild Weasel USAF airplane model. The US Air Force F-4G "Advanced Wild Weasel," was the last Phantom version still in the active Air Force inventory, until it was replaced by the F-16CJ/DJ by seeking out and suppressing or destroying enemy radar-directed anti-aircraft artillery batteries and surface-to-air missile sites. F-4G's were E models modified with sophisticated electronic warfare equipment in place of the internally mounted 20mm gun. The F-4G could carry more weapons than previous Wild Weasel aircraft and a greater variety of missiles as well as conventional bombs. The primary weapon of the F-4G, however, was the AGM-88 HARM (high speed anti-radiation missile). Other munitions included cluster bombs, and AGM-65 Maverick and air-to-air missiles.

The F-4G "Advanced Wild Weasel," which inherited most of the features of the F-4E, was capable of passing real-time target information to the aircraft's missiles prior to launch. Working in hunter-killer teams of two aircraft, such as F-4G and F-16C, the F-4G hunter could detect, identify, and locate enemy radars then direct weapons that will ensure destruction or suppression of the radars. The technique was effectively used during Operation Desert Storm against enemy surface-to-air missile batteries. Primary armament included HARM (AGM-88) and Maverick (AGM-65). F-4G's deployed to Saudi Arabia also were equipped with ALQ-131 and ALQ-184 electronic countermeasures pods.

Mahogany Wood. Scale: 1/48. Wingspan 10 inches, Length 16 1/2 inches.