Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA2553F-105F Thunderchief "Peach 91" 63-8299, 128th TFS, Dobbins, 24 May 1983
General BackgroundOne of the most famous and easily recognized fighter aircraft of the post-WWII era was the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II. This aircraft was developed as a private venture by the aircraft company but was soon ordered by the USN as a carrier-based attack aircraft. Its first flight took place on May 27, 1958 and it entered active service in December 1960. It wasn’t long after the F-4B appeared that a fly-off was set up with USAF front-line fighters. It was no contest, the F-4 performed so well that the USAF ordered their own variant, the F-4C. As time went on, the F-4 evolved into well over a dozen variants.The AircraftIn 1964 F-105F 63-8336 was delivered to the 23rd TFW as a two-seat combat capable trainer. In 1971 63-8336 underwent extensive modifications to convert it to an F-105G Surface-To-Air Missile (SAM) suppression attack aircraft known as “Wild Weasel”. They were equipped with sensors that could detect enemy radar signals once they were turned on, electronic jamming equipment and anti-radar missiles that could be launched to eliminate the SAM radar causing the missile to lose guidance. F-105G named “Patience” and Buzzard artwork refers to a cartoon of the day.
Hobby Master HA2553, F-105F Thunderchief "Peach 91" 63-8299, 128th TFS, 1:72
Manufacturer: McDonnell-Douglas
Type: Fighter/Ground Attack
Crew: 2
Dimensions
Length: 19.40 m
Height: 5.01 m
Wingspan: 11.70m
Weight
Empty: 21,950 kg.
Max T/O weight: 27,300 kg
Powerplant : 2 X J79-MTU-17A engines were built under license from General Electric by Motoren-und-Turbinenen-Union Munchen GmBH.
Performance
Thrust: 5,308 kg (8,120 kg with A/B)
Max speed: Mach 2.23 @ 12,500 m
Initial Climb Rate: 41,000 ft/min (210 m/s)
Armament: 4 x AIM-120A AMRAMM air-to-air Missiles
The F-4F originally lacked the capability of carrying nuclear weapons and it could not carry or launch certain air-to-ground missiles such as the Maverick, Shrike, or Walleye. The design that finally emerged was 3300 pounds lighter than the stock F-4E. The number 7 fuselage fuel tank was removed and all Sparrow equipment was eliminated. The AN/APQ-120 radar was simplified, with no beacon search or constant wave illuminator being provided for Sparrow or Falcon missile launches. Although no in-flight re-fuelling receptacle was initially fitted, the internal plumbing needed for midair re-fuelling was installed at the factory.
