The F-4 Phantom II was the most popular and successful jet fighter produced in the West from the 1960s. Over 5000 were constructed between 1958 and 1981m, they served with the air forces of eleven other nations and a few remained in active service in 2020.

Design of the F-4 commenced in September 1953, prototype aircraft were ordered in July 1955 and the F-4 made its first flight on 27 May 1958.

It offered a new standard of interception including a loiter period of two hours and an ability to detect and destroy any target within radar range with no outside assistance.

The first F-4s entered service with the US Navy in September 1962 and later entered service with the USAF

They saw extensive service in South East Asia and contributed very significantly to Western air defense from the 1960s.

This model represents the F-4E ‘Spunky IV’ of the 34TFS/388TFW based in Thailand during the Vietnam War.

Hasegawa 1/72 kit completed by Steve Pulbrook in 2020.