McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II – “Silver Kite 211”, VF-92 Silver Kings,  US Navy, USS Constellation, Vietnam, May 1972. MiG 21 Kill

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA19033: McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II NG211 “Silver Kite 211” of VF-92 Silver Kings,  US Navy, USS Constellation, Vietnam, May 1972. Production run of 800 models.

Length 9.75 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

VF-92 “Silver Kings” was originally formed on March 23, 1952 and ten years later re-designated VF-54 that lasted one year when they once again became VF-92. The VF-92 “Silver Kings” sailed onboard the USS Constellation from October 1971 to June 30, 1972. On May 10, 1972 F-4J #157269, flown by LCDR James McDevitt and Lt. Curt Dose, shot down a Vietnam People’s Air Force MiG-21 with an AIM-9 Sidewinder. On June 1, 1984 this aircraft was destroyed in an air collision with another F-4.

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.