History:
The Phantom II was exported to 11 other nations, and continues to serve in a military role in some parts of the world. Japan selected the F-4 Phantom II as its new fighter at the end of the 1960s replacing earlier U.S. models like the F-86-40 and F-104J. Japan became one of the few countries that license-produced this aircraft. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force, received a total of 154 F-4EJ and RF-4Es. While the F-4EJs were built almost entirely by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, RF-4Es were bought directly from McDonnell-Douglas.]
Due to Japanese military limitations prohibiting air-to-ground ordnance, the F-4EJs were delivered without the AN/AJB-7 bombing computer system and also did not have an air-refueling probe or receptacle.
McDonnell Douglas built the two prototype F-4EJs, which first flew on 14 January 1971. The next 11 aircraft were assembled in Japan and the first Japanese-built example flew on 12 May 1972. Mitsubishi built all the EJs over the next nine years and the production ended with 127th F-4EJ, on 20 May 1981, being the last F-4 built in the world
The F-4EJ entered service with the JASDF in August 1972 with a total of six Hikōtai ("Squadrons") operating the aircraft: the 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 and 306th. The RF-4EJ equipped the 501st, that had previously operated one of the less-well-known Sabre models, the RF-86F.
As of 2007, Japan has a fleet of 90 F-4s currently in service. To keep the fleet flyable the JASDF planned the F-4EJ Kai (Japanese for "modified") program. This involved 110 aircraft, later reduced to 96, which were upgraded with Apg-66 radar, ground attack capabilities and most importantly, ASM-1 or ASM-2 anti-ship missiles. This boosted their capabilities in the anti-shipping role; The Phantom upgrade added several other air-to-surface weapons to the F-4, including bombs and rockets.
The F-4EJ Kai first flew on 17 July 1984, and first F-4EJ Kai was delivered on 24 November 1989 to the JASDF 306th Squadron. It was fitted the smaller and more lightweight AN/APG-66J pulse Doppler radar and a heads-up display resulting in a lookdown/shootdown capability. The central computer was updated, as well as the J/APR-6 homing and warning system, IFF system and the inertial navigation unit.
The first F-4EJ Kai aircraft were delivered to the 306 Hikōtai at Komatsu, but within a few years they were replaced by F-15Js. In April 1994 the F-4 strength was reduced to three squadrons.
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Specifications:
Model is well manufactured as with most Hasegawa kits. The worst part of construction was adding all of the small decals. Took me about 10 days to do that.
Paint:
Gloss Gull Grey over flat white Testors rattle cans.
Decals:
from CAM – 48-044 Phar East Phantoms
Markings:
Serial #: 37-8323
Modex: 323
#301st Squadron, 7th Air Wing (JASDF) 1988