Hobby Master 1/72 McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II 153796, VMFA-232 "Red Devils", US Marines, Japan 1977 Diecast Aircraft

One of the most famous and easily recognized fighter aircraft of the post-WWII era was the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II. This aircraft was developed as a private venture by the aircraft company but was soon ordered by the USN as a carrier-based attack aircraft. Its first flight took place on May 27, 1958 and it entered active service in December 1960. It wasn’t long after the F-4B appeared that a fly-off was set up with USAF front-line fighters. It was no contest, the F-4 performed so well that the USAF ordered their own variant, the F-4C. As time went on, the F-4 evolved into well over a dozen variants.

In late 1967 VMF-232 “Red Devils” completed a tour of Vietnam. At home they received the new F-4 Phantom II and began painting their “Red Devil” insignia on the aircraft. On March 1, 1965 the “Red Devils” became VMF(AW)-232 and were sent to Iwakuni, Japan arriving on September 2, 1966. In 1973 the squadron was the last Marine squadron to leave Vietnam returning to Iwakuni. In late 1977 the “Red Devils” were posted to MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Later F-4J 153833 was upgraded to an F-4S, converted to a drone and shot down in 2004.

Engines:	2 X General Electric J79-GE-8B/8C/10 turbojets, 11,870 lb.s.t dry, 17,900 lb.s.t. with afterburner.
Dimensions
Length:	58 ft. 3.75 in.
Height:	16 ft. 3 in.
Wingspan:	38 ft. 5 in.
Wing area:	530 square ft.
Weight
Empty:	30,770 lbs
Gross:	46,833 lbs
Combat:	41,399 lbs
Performance
Maximum speed:	1,584 mph at 48,000 ft. (Mach 2.4)
	875 mph at sea level (Mach 1.15).
Service ceiling:	70,000 ft.
Combat ceiling:	54,700 ft.
Initial Climb Rate:	41,250 fpm.
Combat range:	596 miles, maximum range 1,956 miles with maximum external fuel.
Fuel
Maximum internal fuel:	Maximum internal fuel: in fuselage tanks 1,347 US gal.
Internal wing tanks:	630 gal.
Maximum external fuel:	Maximum external fuel: 3,317 US gal. 600 US gal in a centerline tank, 370 US gal in each of two tanks that could be carried underneath the outer under wing pylons.
Armament:	4 X AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi- recessed slots in the fuselage belly. 2 X to 4 AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles carried under the wings on the inboard pylons. Maximum offensive load of up to 16,000 lbs carried on the centerline and 4 under wing hard points.