Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA2553
F-105F Thunderchief "Peach 91" 63-8299, 128th TFS, Dobbins, 24 May 1983

General Background
One 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.

Specifications
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.