Hobby Master Archive

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 was the main multipurpose aircraft for the US Military for 20 years. The F-4E variant was an improved version of the C/D with an elongated nose and compact radar. These two things made it possible to install a 20mm M61A1 6 barrel 640 round Vulcan gun pod in the nose. The F-4E was the most produced variant with 1387 aircraft being made over its 12 year production period. The “E” also equipped more air forces than any other variant of the Phantom II.

In 1985 five ANG units began to receive F-4E Phantom IIs that had been removed from USAF active service. The ANG F-4E’s only lasted until 1991 when the last one was retired. F-4E 68-0338 was the 110th TFS/131st TFW, Missouri ANG, Wing Commander’s aircraft and was selected to wear the F-4 30th Anniversary scheme in 1988-1989. 68-0338 has several other noteworthy achievements. It has a record of shooting down 2 Mig-21s in Vietnam; in January 1990 it was the aircraft that flew the 10-millionth hour for the F-4 line. Also it was the last F-4 to be flown by the 110th TFS, 131st TFW of the Missouri ANG. The aircraft was gutted and sits on a pedestal in front of the Missouri Air National Guard’s entrance near Lambert International Airport in St. Louis.

Specifications McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II Engines - 2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets Thrust - 11,870 lb. st dry, 17,900 lb. st with afterburners Fuel Maximum internal fuel - fuselage tanks 1,364 US gallons (up to block 40) and 1,225 US gallons (from block 41 on). Additional - 630 gallons of fuel in internal wing tanks. External fuel load - 600 US gallons centerline tank Additional - 370 US gallons tanks under each wing attached to the outer pylon Total fuel load - 3334 US gallons (up to block 40) or 3195 US gallons (from block 41 on)

Performance Maximum speed - 1,430 mph at 36,000 ft (Mach 2.21) / 914 mph at sea level (Mach 1.19) Cruising speed - 585 mph Landing speed - 158 mph Initial climb rate - 61,400 fpm Service ceiling - 62,250 ft Combat ceiling - 59,600 ft Combat range - 595 miles Maximum range - 1885 miles with maximum external fuel

Weights Empty - 29,535 lbs Gross - 40,562 lbs Combat - 38,019 lbs Take off - 61,651 lbs Dimensions Wingspan - 38 ft 5 in Wing area - 530 sq ft Length - 63 ft 0 in Height - 16 ft 6 in

Armament 1 X 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds in an under-nose gondola 4 X AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi- recessed slots in the fuselage belly 2 to 4 X AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles carried under the wings on the inboard pylons Total offensive load of up to 16,000 pounds could be carried on the centerline and four under-wing hard-points.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1928 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II “30 Years of Phabulous Phantoms” Wing Commander’s Aircraft, 110th TFS/131st TFW, Missouri ANG, c. 1989

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 provided.

Canopy can be displayed open or closed.

Pilot figures included.

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.

Highly collectable.

These are the crew members that actually flew 338 and whose names are painted on the aircraft that can be seen today in St. Louis. on the left: Pilot - Brig. Gen. USAF (RET) James Renschen on the right: Back Seater - Col. Don Boatright