Hobby Master HA19040 | RF-4E Phantom II, 57-6907, JASDF " 501 SQ Final Year 2020"

General Background:

The JASDF 501st Squadron was formed at Matsushima on December 1, 1961 equipped with RF-86Fs. In 1975 the 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moved to Hyakuri with their new RF-4Es. In 1992 seven RF-4EJs and eight RF-4EJ Kai had been converted and updated from the normal F-4E. The early 1980s saw the introduction of the F-15 so F-4EJs were heavily modified and could carry 3 types of external sensor pods of which one was the LOROP (Long Range Oblique Photography) pod with KS-146B camera.

The Aircraft:

In 1974 Hikotai 501 received its first RF-4E and were transferred to Hyakuri AB. JASDF RF-4E Phantom II was constructed in 1975 c/n 4603 arrived in 1975. In the early 90s, most RF-4EJs were updated and re-designated RF-4EJ Kai (“Kai” “modifications with update”). The RF-4Es served with the unit until 2020 when this type of aircraft was being retired. RF-4E 47-6905 and 57-6907 were given a special paint scheme to commemorate the retirement of the JASDF RF-4E aircraft. These 2 aircraft wore what looks like a roll of 35mm film marked with 1961 2020.

Specifications for the F-4E Phantom II / RF-4E
RF-4E - Unarmed reconnaissance version for export only. Retrofitted by most customers to carry weapons.
RF-4E Maiden Flight – September 1970
Number Built: F-4E - 5,195.
Interesting trivia:
Each aircraft has 54,197 feet of wiring and 643,000 fasteners holding it together.
Weights:
Empty - 29,535 pounds.
Gross - 40,562 pounds.
Combat weight - 38,019 pounds.
Maximum takeoff weight - 61,651 pounds.
Dimensions:
Wingspan - 38 feet 5 inches.
Wing area - 530 square feet.
Length - 63 feet 0 inches.
Height - 16 feet 6 inches.
Engines:
2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets, 11,870 lb.s.t dry, 17,900 lb.s.t. with afterburner.
Performance:
Maximum speed - 1430 mph at 36,000 feet (Mach 2.21), 914 mph at sea level (Mach 1.19).
Cruising speed - 585 mph.
Landing speed - 158 mph.
Initial climb rate - 61,400 feet per minute.
Service ceiling - 62,250 feet.
Combat ceiling - 59,600 feet. Combat range - 595 miles.
Normal range - 1,100 miles.
Maximum range – 1,885 miles with maximum external fuel.
Fuel - Maximum internal fuel in the fuselage tanks - 1364 US gallons (up to block 40)
OR
1225 US gallons (block 41 and beyond).
An additional 630 gallons of fuel could be carried in internal tanks inside the wings.
Maximum external fuel - 600 US gallons in a centerline tank carried underneath the fuselage.
Plus 370 US gallons in each of two tanks carried underneath the outer wing pylons.
Total fuel load – 3,334 US gallons (up to block 40)
OR
3,195 US gallons (block 41 and beyond).
Armament: 1 X 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds. 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. A total offensive load of up to 16,000 pounds could be carried on the centerline and four under-wing hard-points