McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II – VF-33 Starfighters CAG Bird, US Navy 1979

Air Commander 1/72 scale AC1011: McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II serial 155532 “CAG Bird” of VF-33 Starfighters, based on the carrier USS Dwight Eisenhower in 1979. Low limited edition of only 600 pieces.

Length 9.75 inches. Wingspan 6.25 inches

Fighter Squadron 33 or VF-33 Starfighters was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established on 11 October 1948; it was disestablished on 1 October 1993. It was the second US Navy Squadron to be designated VF-33.

In 1964 the squadron started to become familiar with the aircraft which (in two different versions) would last them the next 17 years and became the backbone of Naval Fighter Aviation. The plane was, of course, the F-4 “Phantom II”. Initially equipped with the F-4B, VF-33 set a new Atlantic Fleet record by winning the CNO Aviation Safety Award for four years in a row (1961-64). However VF-33’s time with the F-4B was short and in 1967 they upgraded to the F-4J. The new F- 4 featured a different radar, higher thrust engines, slatted tailplanes, extra fuel cells and larger main wheels (to handle the increased weight).

Almost as soon as the new F-4s were received VF-33 was once again deployed to combat, this time to South-East Asia onboard USS America (CV-66). During their time in theatre VF-33 dropped over 3,000,000 pounds of ordnance! This was in the space of 4000 combat hours flown over 5 months. On the 10th of July 1968 a VF-33 bird downed a MiG- 21C, the first air to air kill by an East Coast Fighter squadron over N.Vietnam.

After returning from Vietnam VF-33 continued it’s association with CVW-7 and USS Independence (CV-62), deploying most years. Several awards were won during this time, including the CNO safety award in 1969 and 1970. The 75-76 cruise saw the squadron win the Golden Tailhook Award, recognising it’s skill at carrier landing. February 1979 saw VF-33 achieve 3 years of accident free flying.

A very special liveried F-4J Phantom, the “CAG Bird” was this uniquely painted aircraft, specially flown by the commanding officer of the United States Navy Carrier Air Groups.

The final variant of the McDonnell Douglas Phantom II was the F-4J; an improved version of the F-4B and was produced for the USMC and USN. There were approximately 520 airframe built with the first operational flight taking place in 1966. The F-4J was provided with stronger landing gear and modifications to the inner wings and tail. The F-4J also received the new J79-GE-10 engines providing 17,900 lbs of thrust.

Air Commander offer High Detailed die-cast scale military aircraft models. Each model is made with passion, from the collector to the collector. Delivering models with high precision and accuracy. Details of each aircraft are carefully reconstructed on 3D CAD drawings. Striving on perfection, producing accurate fighters, bombers and transporters that has either been in theatres of combat or part of aviation milestones. The airplane models are all produced in one time limited editions runs.