F-4B Phantom II

A plastic model of the F-4B Phantom II plane was made in 1:48 scale. The model received a distinction at the 12th International Festival of Plastic Reduction Models Bytom 2015.

The F-4B Phantom II was an American long-range fighter-bomber capable of operating in all weather conditions and flying at supersonic speeds. The designation "B" means that it is a version intended for the naval forces. The F-4 Phantom II was produced in the years 1958-1981 and used by the American military until 1996. 5,195 aircraft were produced. In 2012, the F-4 Phantom II was still in service with the armies of seven countries.

The first combat flight of the Phantom took place on August 5, 1964 during the Vietnam War, while the last combat missions of the American planes were carried out during the Operation Desert Storm (1991).

The high power of the engines was allowing that the Phantom could join the fight at any time and give it up at any time. It gave a great advantage in maneuvering fights. Unfortunately, the aircraft was designed as an interceptor to defend the fleet and therefore was not equipped with machine guns. In Vietnam, it was happening that the Phantom flew right behind an enemy machine, and the pilot could not shoot it down, because the distance was too small to allow the use of rockets. This lack was supplemented by hanging a container with a gun under the hull. However, it was not a good solution due to the inability to precisely aim. Only in the F-4E version this problem was solved by mounting the gun in the hull.

Some technical data (F-4B Phantom II):

• Propulsion: two turbojet engines, each 77.11 kN thrust with afterburner (45.36 kN without afterburner),
• Length: 17.8 m (58.4 ft),
• Wingspan: 11.73 m (38.48 ft),
• Height: 4.97 m (16.31 ft),
• Wing area: 49.2 m² (529.6 ft²),
• Empty weight: 12,701 kg (28,000 lb),
• Take-off weight: 24,707 kg (54,470 lb),
• Max ceiling: 18,900 m (62,000 ft),
• Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,760 ft),
• Max speed: 2370 km/h (2.23 Ma), (1473 mph),
• Rate of climb: 142 m/s (27,953 fpm),
• Combat range: 640 km (398 mi),
• Max range: 3680 km (2287 mi),
• Crew: 2.

Sources:

• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F-4_Phantom_II
• http://web.bg.uw.edu.pl/welw/military.pl/samoloty/f-4_phantom_ii/f-4b.html

10 Oct 2015