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1:72 Plastic Scale Model Aircraft F-4J Phantom II VF-31 Tomcatters
Plastic Scale Model Aircraft
Hasegawa 1:72 Plastic Scale Model Aircraft F-4J Phantom II VF-31 Tomcatters The Phantom II is a supersonic, long range, all weather interceptor with full ground attack capability. In addition to service in our Navy, Marines, and Air Force, it was flown by the military of seven allied countries. The McDonnell production line started in September 1955 and continued until August 1979; 5,057 were built. The Phantom II's first flight was on 27 May 1958. Flying Qualities and Performance (FQ&P) Navy Preliminary Evaluation (NPE) I took place in September 1958. Expanded envelope and carrier suitability tests in NPE II occurred in July 1959. The first Phantom II catapult shot and carrier landing was on 15 September 1960. First deliveries were made as follows: Navy, 29 December 1960; Marines, 29 June 1962;
The Phantom continued to form a major part of U.S. military air power throughout the 1970s and 80s, being gradually replaced by more modern aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon in the U.S. Air Force and the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet in the U.S. Navy. It remained in service in the reconnaissance and Wild Weasel roles in the 1991 Gulf War.
The Phantom was also operated by the armed forces of 11 other nations. Israeli Phantoms saw extensive combat in numerous Arab�Israeli conflicts, while Iran used its large fleet of Phantoms in the Iran�Iraq War. Phantoms remain in front line service with seven countries, and in use as an unmanned target in the U.S. Air Force.
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