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 1969 the 366th TFW received 2 squadrons equipped with the F-4E Phantom whose missions included aircraft escorts and ground attack. The 366th TFW became known as the “Gunfighters” because of the addition of 20mm Gatling gun pods to their earlier F-4Cs. F-4E 68-0339 from the 366th TFW/421st TFS “Black Widows” was modified to carry a pair of Navy Mk 20 Rockeye II Cluster Bombs on each inboard station; one ALQ-87 ECM pod carried in the right front missile bay; two AIM-7 Sparrow radar missiles in the aft wells; one 600-gallon centerline drop tank and an SUU-23/A Gun Pod. Operating alone near the DMZ this heavily armed free-roaming strike-recce aircraft would attack any enemy targets of opportunity. When operational, the aircraft used the callsign “Chico” alerting Forward Air Control (FAC) aircraft this special F-4E was on the prowl and available to assist if needed. F-4E 68-339 became known as “Chico the Gunfighter” and was the only USAF F-4 modified to carry out these special missions and only 5 pilots ever flew it.

Specifications McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II Engines - (2) 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) 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds in an under-nose gondola (4) AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi- recessed slots in the fuselage belly. (2) to (4) 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 HA1931 McDonnell Douglas F- 4E Chico the Gunfighter 68-339, 366th TFW, Da Nang, South Vietnam 1972

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 Canopies can be displayed open or closed Crew figures Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic Highly collectable