Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA19030F-4E "Experimental Schema Wolkenmaus" 37+51, JG 71 "Richthofen", Germany 1976
General Background
The F-4E variant was an improved version of the C/D with an elongated nose and compact radar. These two things made it possible to install a 20mm M61A1 6 barrel 640 round Vulcan gun pod in the nose. The F-4E was the most produced variant with 1387 aircraft being made over its 12 year production period. The “E” also equipped more air forces than any other variant of the Phantom II.
The Aircraft
In 1976 Luftwaffe Jagdgeschwader 71 (Fighter Wing 71) "Richthofen", based at Wittmund tested new camouflage schemes for their Phantom interceptor aircraft. One such scheme was a blue-grey pattern applied to F-4E, serial 37+51. This experimental scheme was known as "Wolkenmaus" (cloud mouse).
