Hobby Master HA19041 | F-4E Phantom II, 67-0210, 58th TFS, Udorn RTAB, June 1972   (with AIM-4 Falcon missles)

General Background:

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 Aircraft:

F-4E Phantom II 67-0210 was first delivered to 33rd TFW / 4533rd TTS on July 9 1968 and in 1970 it was reassigned to the 4531st TFW at Homestead AFB. Over its career this aircraft was operated by no less than 10 various units. On June 2, 1972 while stationed with the 58thth TFS / 432nd TRW out of Udorn RTAB using callsign “Brenda 01” encountered a NVAF MiG-19 and engaged. After a brief pursuit the F-4 shot the MiG-19 down using its M61A1 machine gun. In 1987 the aircraft was transferred to Turkey.

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.