McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II – 555th TFS, USAF Vietnam 1972, Steve Ritchie Signed

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA1973: McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II of 555th “Triple Nickel” TFS, Vietnam 1972 as flown by ace pilot Steve Ritchie. The intake fillet is emblazoned with 5 red stars. Complete with signed name plate on the display stand base. Low production run of only 800 pieces. The improved Hobby Master Phantom models now come with superior, far sturdier one-piece slot-in main undercarriage pieces.

Length 9.75 inches. Wingspan 6.25 inches

During the Vietnam War between May 10 and August 28, 1972 Captain Steve Ritchie became an Ace by destroying 5 MiG-21s while piloting F-4Ds and F-4Es. During four of his five victories his RIO was Captain Charles DeBellevue. His first and fifth victories came while flying F-4D 66-7463 OY, victory two came in F-4D 65-0801 OY while three and four came flying F-4E 67-0362 ED. Between March 1 and October 15, 1972 F-4D 66-7463 is credited with six enemy aircraft shot down while being flown by five different crews.

The F-4D was an improved “C” variant with most improvements being internal electronics and avionics. The F-4D entered operational service in April 1966 and joined the combat forces in Southeast Asia in May 1967. With the arrival of the “D” most of the “C” variant were reassigned to ground attack with the “D”s taking on the air-to-air interceptor role. In 1968 – 1969 a total of 825 “D” models were produced 793 for the USAF and 32 for the Iranian Air Force.

Specifications for McDonnell-Douglas F-4D Phantom II

Type – Fighter

Entered Operational Service – April 1966

Crew – 2

Dimensions
Length – 62 ft. 10 in. (18.9 m)
Height – 16 ft. 6 in. (5.03 m)
Wingspan – 38 ft. 5 in. (11.71 m)
Wing area – 530 sq ft. (49.23 sq m)

Weights
Empty Weight – 28,276 lbs (12,823 kg)
Gross Weight – 50,341 lbs (22,830 kg)
Max Weight – 58,000 lbs (26,303 kg)

Powerplant
Engines – 2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets
Thrust
Dry – 11,870 lb. st
With Afterburners – 17,900 lb. st

Fuel load
Total – 3,230 US gallons (12,226 l)
Maximum internal
Internal fuselage tanks – 1,260 gallons (4,769 l)
Internal wing tanks – 630 gallons (2,384 l)
Maximum external
600 US gallon (2,271 l) centerline tank
+
2 – 370 US gallon (1,400 l) tanks under each wing on the outer pylons.

Performance
Range – 1375 mi (2,214 km)
Cruise Speed – 587 mph (945 kph) (510.81 kt)
Max Speed
@ 42,000 ft – 1,432 mph (2,304.5 kph) (12,801 m) (Mach 2.17)
@ Sea Level – 826 mph (1,329.3 kph) (Mach 1.08)
Landing speed – 165 mph (265.5 kph)
Initial rate of climb – 40,100 fpm (12,222.5 m/min)
Maximum rate of climb – 48,300 fpm (14,721.1 m/min)
Ceiling – 59,400 ft (18,104 m)
Combat range – 502 miles (807.9 km)
Maximum range – 1,844 miles (2,967.6 km) with maximum external fuel.

Armament
(4) Aim-7D or (4) Aim-7E Sparrow missiles semi-recessed on slots in the fuselage belly
+ up to (4) Aim-9 Sidewinder missiles on the inboard pylons or up to (18) x 750 lb
(340 kg) bombs for a maximum offensive load of 16,000 lbs (7,257.48 kg)