American fighter-bomber F-4M Phantom II FGR.2 COBI 5908 - Armed Forces 1:48

F-4M Phantom II FGR.2 Model | COBI 5908

The assembled model features movable control surfaces and an opening cockpit canopy. The set also includes two specially adapted RAF pilot "half-figures" to fit in the cockpit. Under the wings, there are mounted auxiliary fuel tanks, Sidewinder missiles, and the hazardous Skyflash missile. The model can stand on its own landing gear or on the completely new TeCh display stand with a description.

The Dark Sea Grey model bears the insignia of the RAF 74 Squadron, stationed in the 1970s–1980s in West Germany at Bruggen. The Yellow Tigers squadron belonged to the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) group and was the first to scramble in case of a NATO breach. This particular aircraft, with the number XV416, was completely destroyed in 1975 during a crash into the Witham River near the RAF Coningsby base, and today you can remember it with this construction set.

Did you know:

Design work on the new aircraft began slowly in 1952. At that time, aircraft such as the FH-1, Voodoo, and Crusader were in service with the U.S. Air Force, and neither the Air Force nor the Navy saw the need to explore new options. Fortunately, the brilliant designer and visionary Dave Lewis was forward-thinking enough to predict the development of aviation for the next 30 years—except for one small detail, which we will mention later. In 1953, the duo of designers D. Lewis and H. Barkey began building several prototypes to test new ideas and technologies—all without any financial support from the U.S. government. This changed in 1955, when McDonnell sent an unsolicited proposal to U.S. authorities for a newly designed aircraft capable of operating in any weather, with 9 underwing and fuselage hardpoints. Six weeks later, the proposal reached an experienced U.S. Navy officer responsible for armament, who immediately understood what the McDonnell team had accomplished. 

The turning point came with the order for two prototypes, then designated XF4H-1, and five pre-production units. The test flights of the prototypes began on May 27, 1958, and it must be said that they were not without issues. The air intake and fuselage panel connections needed redesigning. Unfortunately, one of the prototypes was lost in a crash. Serial production started at the end of 1958, and interestingly, the internal name of the aircraft was Satan or Mithras, and in documentation as Model 98. In the USAF, the fighters were called Spectre, and due to confusion, the name was unified to the now familiar Phantom II. Unlike the Navy, the Air Force was reluctant to purchase Phantoms. Then Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara had to intervene. After comparative tests, the Air Force had to admit that the Phantom far exceeded anything in its inventory. Proof of this is also the 16 world records achieved by F-4 aircraft.

The "forgotten detail" mentioned earlier was the absence of an onboard cannon. It was generally believed that traditional dogfights were over and combat would occur at a distance. The reality of the Vietnam War proved otherwise. Perhaps the most famous Phantom II crew were Captain Louis Page and Lieutenant John C. Smith, who shot down the first North Vietnamese MiG.

The RAF operated 232 specially modified aircraft with ground communication links. The last units were retired by the Royal Air Force in 1992.

A total of 5,195 units were built across various versions.

Technical specifications:

• Dimensions: wingspan 11.71 m, length 19.2 m, height 5.03 m
• Empty weight: 13,397 kg
• Maximum takeoff weight: 27,965 kg
• Powerplant: 2x General Electric J79 jet engines, 79.6 kN thrust each
• Maximum speed: 2,230 km/h
• Rate of climb: 312 m/s
• Maximum flight altitude: 18,975 m
• Maximum range: 3,065 km
• Fuel capacity: 7,549 l + 12,627 l in external tanks
• Armament: 1x six-barrel M61A1 Vulcan cannon and up to 8,480 kg of weapons on hardpoints

Colonel Andreas Pfeiffer, Wittmund Base Commander:

,,During 40 years of service, the F-4 earned many nicknames from pilots such as Legend, Workhorse, Rhino, or Winged Engine, but the Phantom was above all the king. The king of the day and night sky, reliable and enduring." 

About the Set :

• COBI construction set  5908 F-4M PHANTOM II FRG.2  is made from 728 high-quality ABS pieces
• Scale 1:48
  
• Collection: Armed Forces
• Number of figures: 0 (includes 2 half-figures)
• Pad printed - no stickers
• Realistic detailing
• Made in EU
• Compatible with other brick brands