McDonnell Douglas (Mitsubishi) F-4EJ Phantom II – #07-8436 of 301st Hikotai, JASDF, Hyakuri AB, Japan, 2020

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA19026: McDonnell Douglas (Mitsubishi) F-4EJ Phantom II #07-8436 of 301st Hikotai, JASDF, Hyakuri AB, Japan, 2020. Production run of 1,000 models.

Length 10.5 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

The first F-4 arrived at Hyakuri AB assigned to the 301st Hikotai “Samurai” in 1972. The 301st Hikotai is the last JASDF F-4EJ squadron and in 2020 to celebrate the F-4 retirement, two F-4EJs were given special paint schemes. F-4EJ 315 37-8315 wore the words “Go for it!! 301 Sq.”, while 07-8436 wore blue, cyan, white and black bands on top as well as “Phantom Forever” on the fuselage. “Thank You Phantom II” and “1971-2020” were displayed on the upper wings. Both aircraft wore the 301st Frog emblem on the tail.

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.