1/72 Corgi (AA33212) McDonnell Douglas F4J Phantom II (#114 cx/n 155529) Vietnam War 1972 U.S.S. America VF-74 U.S. Navy (Limited Edition #1801 of 2500) 2008 Release  

The F-4 was designed to meet a US Navy requirement for a fleet air defence fighter to counter the threat posed by fast long-range Soviet bombers. McDonnell's design used twin engines to give high supersonic speed, large internal fuel capacity for long range, and powerful radar and radar guided missiles. The US Air Force also ordered the F-4 in 1962. With over 2,800 delivered, the US Air Force was the biggest user of the F-4, the Navy and Marine Corps taking over 1,200. They were in action in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973 in fighter, bomber, photo-reconnaissance and electronic counter measures  roles. 23008 Phantom F-4J was built in 1967 and entered service with the US Navy in March 1968. While based aboard the USS America this aircraft operated for 10 months in the Vietnam war zone and in November 1972 alone flew 88 hours of combat missions. It was subsequently transferred to the Royal Air Force as ZE359 in 1984, serving with No.74 Sqn and at the end of its RAF service was flown to Duxford in 1991 and restored back to its original USN colors and VF-74 Sqn markings for display in the American Air Museum, where it is on display today.

McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II

Designed as a fleet defense fighter for the US Navy, the F-4 Phantom was first flown on May 27, 1958. This twin-engine, long-range all-weather fighter/bomber proved highly adaptable and served in the Marine Corps and the US Air Force as well as in the Navy. During the Vietnam War, it was the principal air superiority fighter for the Navy and the Air Force and was also used for reconnaissance and ground attack. The Phantom continued to serve well into the 1970s and 1980s and even flew missions during the first Gulf War. Finally phased out by the F-14, F-16 and F/A-18, the Phantom was retired in 1996.

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