Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1985 McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom ZE353, No. 74 Sqn., RAF, Wattisham, April 1990

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 may be provided Canopy can be displayed open or closed Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic Highly collectable

After the Falklands the RAF had a gap in the Air Defence of GB, with the delay to the new F3 Tornado and the lack of other RAF Phantoms the MOD purchased straight from the New Mexico Desert a Sqn of Ex US Navy F4J. Some of these aircraft still had Battle scars from Vietnam. These were designated F4J (UK) and were rushed into service still sporting basic US Navy colours. These were later painted in due course to RAF air defense grey.

The No. 74 Squadron “Tiger Squadron” existed from 1917 until the 1990s. The Squadron had been reformed at RAF Wattisham in 1984 and operated the F-4J until January 1991. McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom ZE-353 was former USN 153785 and was delivered to Wattisham on October 4, 1984. In 1991 74 Squadron exchanged their F-4Js for surplus FGR.2 Phantoms and on February 20, 1991 the aircraft moved to Manston Fire School and was finally scrapped in July 2001. The No. 74 Squadron disbanded in October 1992.

Specification for the F- 4J Performance Engines: 2 X General Electric J79-GE-8B/8C/10 turbojets, 11,870 lb.s.t dry, 17,900 lb. s.t. with afterburner. Maximum speed: 1,584 mph at 48,000 ft. (Mach 2.4), 875 mph at sea level (Mach 1.15). Initial climb rate: 41,250 fpm. Service ceiling: 70,000 ft. Combat ceiling: 54,700 ft. Combat range: 596 miles, maximum range 1,956 miles with maximum external fuel.

Weights 30,770 lbs empty. 46,833 lbs gross. 41,399 lbs combat weight, Dimensions Wingspan: 38 ft. 5 in. Wing area: 530 square ft. Length: 58 ft. 3.75 in. Height: 16 ft. 3 in.

Fuel Maximum internal fuel: in fuselage tanks 1,347 US gal. Internal wing tanks: 630 gal. 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.