McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II – VMFA-531, HMS Ark Royal Cross Deck, Malta 1974

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA1962: McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom HMS Ark Royal Cross Deck, Malta 1974. Production run of 1,600 models.

Length 9.75 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

PLEASE NOTE: Light knock on lower right side of box lid, as per photo.

VMFA-531 Grey Ghosts F-4s were assigned to the USS Forrestal from September 22, 1972 until July 6, 1973. From February 23 until March 6, 1973 VMFA-531 carried out cross operations with F-4Ks from HMS Ark Royal. For this VMFA-531 F-4B wore the dark sea grey tail and fin flash of the No. 892 Squadron. Urban legend has it F-4B AA/207 went technical while on Ark Royal and was painted this scheme to mask the aircraft when HMS Ark Royal sailed into Malta who was at odds with the USA at the time.

The F-4 Phantom II first entered US Military service in 1960. It was designed as a fleet defence fighter for the US Navy but by 1963 it was adopted as the US Air Force primary fighter-bomber. Despite the size and weight of this Cold War icon the F-4 broke 15 world records and continued to hold five of them until 1975.
Produced from 1960 to 1981 there were 5,195 Phantom IIs manufactured. Eleven countries other than the USA had the Phantom II in their inventory.