Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA19015 McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II 157299, VF-103 “Sluggers', USS Saratoga, 1971

True 1/72 scale Professionally painted Great attention to detail All markings are Tampoed (pad applied) Option to display the model on a stand that is provided Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions Loads of optional armament has been provided Canopy can be displayed open or closed Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic Highly collectable

The final variant of the McDonnell Douglas Phantom II was the F-4J; an improved version of the F-4B and was produced for the USMC and USN. There were approximately 520 airframe built with the first operational flight taking place in 1966. The F-4J was provided with stronger landing gear and modifications to the inner wings and tail. The F-4J also received the new J79-GE-10 engines providing 17,900 lbs of thrust.

VF-103 was activated in 1952 and from 1953 until 1957 they were the “Flying Cougars” before becoming the “Sluggers”. In 1965 VF-103 received the F-4B which they flew until 1968 when the F-4J arrived. VF-103 deployed 15 times on board USS Saratoga and in 1971 sailed to the Mediterranean. In 1972 F-4J 157299 scored a victory over a MiG-21 and in 1976 was transferred to VF-11 “Red Rippers” where it was lost in 1977. Late in 1995 VF-84 “Jolly Rogers” was decommissioned so to keep the name alive VF-103 adopted the name “Jolly Rogers”.

Specifications for the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II Dimensions Length - 58 ft 3 in Wingspan - 38 ft 5 in Height - 16 ft 3 in Weight Empty - 32,000 lbs Maximum Takeoff - 56,000 lbs Performance Maximum Level Speed - Mach 2+ Combat Radius Intercept - 781 miles Attack - 868 miles