Hobby Master Archive

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. Canopy can be displayed open or closed. Pilot figures included. Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic. Highly collectable.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1953 McDonnell Douglas RF- 4E Phantom II 69-7448, 35+01, Luftwaffe Aufklaerungsgeschwader 51 “Immelmann” Bremgarten AB, “Spirit of St. Louis”

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.

The German government had ordered 88 RF-4Es and this particular aircraft was the first one of the order produced at the McDonnell-Douglas facility in St. Louis. Because of this the aircraft was dubbed the “Spirit of St. Louis” and given the USAF serial 69-7448. It first flew on September 15, 1970 and was accepted by the Luftwaffe on January 17, 1971. The first flight as 35+01 with the Luftwaffe was with the Aufklarungeschwader 51 “Immelmann” (AKG 51) based at Bremgarten on January 20, 1971.

Specifications McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II Note - The RF-4E variant was an unarmed reconnaissance version for export only. Retrofitted to carry weapons by most customers.

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.