McDonnell Douglas F-4E Kurnass – 109, 201st (One) Sqn, IDF/AF 1974 (7 Kills)

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA19039: McDonnell Douglas F-4E Kurnass #109 of 201st (One) Sqn, IDF/AF, Tel Nof AB, Israel, 1974. This was the highest scoring Kurnass, with the 7 kill markings applied during the Yom Kippur war. Production run of 750 models.

Length 10.5 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

The first F-4Es were delivered to the Israeli Air Force in 1969 and were nicknamed Kurnass (Sledgehammer) with the RF-4Es being called Orev (Raven). These aircraft were comprised of ex-USAF aircraft as well as new built. Israel became the largest non-USA operator of the F-4. McDonnell F-4E Phantom II 69-7241 MSN 3912 was transferred to the Israeli Air Force in 1970 as serial 119 and then 109 and even later 519. 109 was the IDF/AF “top scoring” Phantom with 7 kills obtained when flying with the 201 “Ahat” Sqn during the Yom Kippur war in 1973. On 6 October it downed 3 Egyptian Mi-8 Helicopters using the 20mm Vulcan cannon. On 13 October a Syrian MiG 17 was shot down with a Sidewinder, followed by a Mig 21 by the same method on 16 October. On 23 October it downed another 2 Syrian MiG 21s using Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles.

Designed as a fleet defence 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.