Hobbymaster 1/72 Air Power Series (Jet Powered) HA1920 - McDonnell-Douglas F-4J(UK) Phantom II,RAF 74 Squadron, "Tiger Meet" 1988
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Professionally painted
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Great attention to detail
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All markings are Tampoed (pad applied)
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Option to display the model on a stand that is provided
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Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions
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Loads of optional armament has been provided
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Canopy can be displayed open or closed
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Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic
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Highly collectable
After the Falklands the RAF had a gap in the Air Defence of GB, with the delay to the new F3 Tornado and
the lack of other RAF Phantoms the MOD purchased straight from the New Mexico Desert a Sqn of Ex US
Navy F4J. Some of these aircraft still had Battle scars from Vietnam. These were designated F4J (UK)
and were rushed into service still sporting basic US Navy colours. These were later painted in due course
to RAF air defence grey.
The RAF Phantom did not participate in the Falkland/Malvinas conflict of 1981. However, Phantom
FGR.Mk.2s (F-4Ms) of No. 23 Squadron began operating out of Port Stanley Airport in the Falkland
Islands in 1982 following their recapture from Argentina. In order to compensate NATO for the diversion of
these aircraft to the Falklands, Britain purchased 15 low-time, ex-US Navy F-4Js which had been in
storage at Davis-Monthan AFB. The Navy serials of these planes were BuNos 153768, 152773, 153783,
153785, 153795, 153803, 153850, 153809, 155510, 155529, 155574, 155734, 155755, 155868, and
155894. They were assigned the designation F-4J(UK) rather than the more logical "Phantom F.Mk 3" so
that they would not be confused with the Tornado F.Mk 3. RAF serials were ZE350-ZE364.
These planes were overhauled and modified at NAS North Island, California before delivery to the RAF.
The F-4J(UK) aircraft retained their J79 engines and most of their American avionics. However, a number
of US Navy systems, such as the AN/ASN-54 Approach Power Compensator System, the AN/ASW-25
datalink system, and the AN/ALQ-126 countermeasures set, were removed and replaced by British
systems. The prominent electronics countermeasures antennae fairings on the upper sides of the air
intakes remained on the aircraft, but were actually now empty.
The first three F-4J(UK) aircraft were delivered to the United Kingdom in August of 1984. They equipped
the newly-formed No. 74 Squadron at RAF Wattisham. These aircraft were intended to serve in the air
defense role pending the introduction of the Tornado F.Mk 3. In later years, these aircraft were made
compatible with the BAe Sky Flash air-to-air missile. The F-4J(UK) fighters were eventually retired in early
1991 when some low-time Phantom FGR.Mk 2 fighters became available to No. 74 Squadron. However,
The Phantom FGR.Mk 2 was used only briefly by No. 74 Squadron, the squadron standing down on
September 20, 1992 and disbanding the next day.
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