McDonnell Douglas F4H-1 Phantom II – VF-74 Bedevilers, US Navy, USS Forrestal, 1962

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA19031: McDonnell Douglas F4H-1 Phantom II AJ101 of VF-74 Bedevilers, US Navy, USS Forrestal, 1962. Production run of 600 models.

Length 9.75 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

VF-74 “Bedevilers” were the first USN squadron to deploy with the F-4 Phantom II. In July 1961 VF-74 traded their Douglas F4D Skyrays for the F4H-1, later to become the F-4B thereby becoming the “First In Phantom”. During the next twenty years VF-74 would fly three variants of the Phantoms 13 times on Mediterranean cruises and twice to SEA.

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.