MCDONNEL DOUGLAS F-4C PHANTOM VOL.3

The ubiquitous Phantom was exported to no fewer than eleven nations, including four in Europe, and continues to serve in a military role in other parts of the world. The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) operated a total of 175 F-4Fs, 10 F-4Es (for training at US airfields) and 88 RF-4Es, making it the largest Phantom export customer. The first F-4 model to enter German service was the RF-4E, after the Luftwaffe signed a contract with McDonnell Douglas for 88 aircraft in 1968. Then the Luftwaffe purchased the F-4F, and interceptor version based on the F-4E. The ‘ICE’ (Improved Combat Efficiency) program commenced in 1983 to upgrade the F-4F's air-to-air capabilities. The German Air Force retired its last operational F-4F Phantom IIs in June 2013. At the end of the 1960s, the Hellenic Air Force embarked upon a modernisation program by initially ordering 56 F-4Es along with six RF-4Es. Greece has since received a number of batches of F-4Es, and with a capability upgrade the F-4s are slated to remain in service for some time yet. Through the Mutual Defense Aid Program (MDAP), Spain acquired 36 ex-USAF F-4Cs for the Spanish Air Force. These were the only ‘C’ models ever exported, even as second-hand examples. Deliveries occurred between October 1971 and September 1972 under ‘Peace Alfa’. At the time of delivery these F-4Cs were already obsolete, but they replaced even older aircraft, F-104Gs and F-86Fs. In Spanish Air Force use, the F-4Cs were designated ‘C.12’.

Further F-4 deliveries took place in October 1978, with the addition of four F-4Cs and four RF-4Cs, which continued to serve in the reconnaissance role along with another eight ex-USAF RF-4Cs delivered in 1989. One of the most prominent current Phantom users is the Turkish Air Force, which operates about 233 F-4s. Under the ‘Peace Diamond I’ program deliveries started in June 1974, although completion of the order was delayed by an arms embargo following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. However, later as a reward for their assistance during ‘Desert Storm’ further F-4s were supplied to Turkey. Turkey also operated a number of RF-4Es. As the series title ‘Real to Replica’ suggests, the book also contains colour profiles, walk arounds, and how to build plastic models of the F-4 in popular scales, making this an ideal reference for the enthusiast and modeller alike.