McDonnell Douglas RF-4EJ Kai Phantom II – 501st Hikotai, JASDF, Hyakuri AB, Japan, Retirement 2020

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA19035: McDonnell Douglas RF-4EJ Kai #67-6380 of 501st Hikotai, JASDF, Hyakuri AB, Japan, F-4 Phantom Retirement 2020. Production run of 1,000 models.

Length 10.5 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

The JASDF 501st Squadron was formed December 1, 1961 flying 10 RF-86F Sabre aircraft. Built by Mitsubishi in 1976 as an F-4EJ c/n M080 serial 67-8380 was later converted to an RF-4EJ and renumbered as 67-6380 assigned to the 501st Hikotai. On March 9, 2020 the last flight of the RF-4EJ took place as well as a retirement ceremony for this type of aircraft as well as the disbanding of the 501st. RF-4EJ 67-6380 wore what looks like a roll of 35mm film marking the fact that the unit operated from 1961 until 2020.

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.