McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II – #3-6643, 61st TFS, IRIAF, Iran, 2010

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA19025: McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II #3-6643 of 61st TFS, IRIAF, Iran, 2010. Production run of 1,000 models.

Length 10.5 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

In 1971 the order for 208 F-4Es and 32 RF-4E began arriving for the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF). In 1979 a revolution took place and an embargo was applied and only 177 F-4Es were delivered. The Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF) became the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF). In October 1975 F-4E 73-1545 MSN 4715 serial 3-822 arrived in Iran assigned to the 32nd TFW. Later with the IRIAF the aircraft became 3-6643 assigned to the 6th TAB / 61st TFS. In 2009 3-6643 received its shark mouth nose livery.

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.