1/48 F-4B PHANTOM II

A legendary aircraft, the F-4 Phantom II was first deployed in the early 1960s. Over 5,000 were manufactured during its production run. The F-4 Phantom II was operated by not only the Navy and Air Force in America, but also other countries on account of its long range and superlative loading capacity. In 1952, the desire of the Navy was to have a supersonic aircraft and while the F-8 Crusader produced by the Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. was employed, the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation continued to develop a two-seater interceptor with powerful dual engines. This aircraft equipped four each of AIM-7E Sparrows and AIM-9G/H Sidewinders and was officially adopted as the F4H-1 in December 1958 (later renamed the F-4A). The F-4B's production started in 1961 and its delivery began with the Fighter Squadron VF-74. In 1965, two F-4Bs shot down two North Vietnamese MiG-17 each, but the most enemy kills in the early stages of the Vietnam War were carried out by the F-8. However, from Operation Linebacker in 1972 onward, F-4 deployment increased and it was operated for air-to-ground strikes. After that, various kinds of F-4 aircraft were developed and some have even been in service with some countries for half a century. Exhaustive studies of the actual aircraft enabled this precise recreation of the airplane’s distinctive form. The parts breakdown offers ease of assembly. The J79-GE-8 engine nozzles, cockpit, and landing gear bays are realistically recreated. Several options available when building such as choice to build with wingtips folded or extended, The canopy open or closed or the refueling probe/boarding ladder extended and retracted. Different types of antennae and cockpit consoles can be chosen depending on the marking option selected. Air intake and dust box are combined together for easy setup. Air-to-air missiles (AIM-7E Sparrow and AIM-9G/H Sidewinder) and two types of drop tanks are included. The one-piece horizontal stabilizer right and left sides move in concert. Includes 2 sitting crew figures, 3 marking options including VF-51 during the Vietnam War. Includes masking stickers. Includes a full color painting guide and four-language background story. Fuselage length: 370mm, height: 104mm, wingspan: 243.9mm