In Box Review of Platz/F-Toys 1/144th Scale
McDonnell Douglas JASDF F-4EJ Phantom Fighter
2 in 1 kit no. PF 10
Plastz/F-toys
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: 1500 Yen ($13.28)
Copyright 2007
Plastz/F-toys
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: 1500 Yen ($13.28)
Copyright 2007
HISTORY:
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft.
It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable, it was also adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force, and by the mid-1960's had become a major part of their air arms.
The Phantom is a large fighter with a top speed of over Mach 2.2. It can carry more than 18,000 pounds (8,400 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs.
The F-4, like other interceptors of its time, was designed without an internal cannon. Later models incorporated an M61 Vulcan rotary cannon. Beginning in 1959, it set 15 world records for in-flight performance, including an absolute speed record, and an absolute altitude record.
The F-4 was used extensively during the Vietnam War. It served as the principal air superiority fighter for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and became important in the ground-attack and aerial reconnaissance roles late in the war.
During the Vietnam War, one U.S. Air Force pilot, two weapon systems officers (WSOs),[6] one U.S. Navy pilot and one radar intercept officer (RIO) became aces by achieving five aerial kills against enemy fighter aircraft.
The F-4 continued to form a major part of U.S. military air power throughout the 1970's and 1980's, being gradually replaced by more modern aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon in the U.S. Air Force, the F-14 Tomcat in the U.S. Navy, and the F/A-18 Hornet in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
The F-4 Phantom II remained in use by the U.S. in the reconnaissance and Wild Weasel (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) roles in the 1991 Gulf War, finally leaving service in 1996.
It was also the only aircraft used by both U.S. flight demonstration teams: the USAF Thunderbirds (F-4E) and the US Navy Blue Angels (F-4J).
The F-4 was also operated by the armed forces of 11 other nations. Israeli Phantoms saw extensive combat in several Arab–Israeli conflicts, while Iran used its large fleet of Phantoms, acquired before the fall of the Shah, in the Iran–Iraq War.
Phantom production ran from 1958 to 1981, with a total of 5,195 built, making it the most produced American supersonic military aircraft.
As of 2018, 60 years after its first flight, the F-4 remains in service with Iran, Japan, South Korea, Greece and Turkey. The aircraft has most recently been in service against the Islamic State group in the Middle East.
From 1968, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) purchased a total of 140 F-4EJ Phantoms without aerial refueling, AGM-12 Bullpup missile system, nuclear control system or ground attack capabilities.
Mitsubishi built 138 under license in Japan and 14 unarmed reconnaissance RF-4E's were imported. One of the aircraft (17-8440) was the very last of the 5,195 F-4 Phantoms to be produced. It was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on 21 May 1981.
"The Final Phantom" served with 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron and later transferred to the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron.
Of these, 96 F-4EJ's were modified to the F-4EJ Kai (modified) standard.[125] 15 F-4EJ's were converted to reconnaissance aircraft designated RF-4EJ, with similar upgrades as the F-4EJ Kai.
Japan had a fleet of 90 F-4s in service in 2007. After studying several replacement fighters the F-35 Lightning II was chosen in 2011.
Delays with the F-35 program have meant that some F-4's have remained in service. As of 2017 all three of the JASDF's remaining Phantom squadrons are based at Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki prefecture north of Tokyo. Some F-4s are also operated by the Air Development and Test Wing in Gifu Prefecture.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role Interceptor: fighter-bomber
National origin: United States
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas Aircraft
First flight: 27 May 1958
Introduction to service: 30 December 1960
Retired: 1992 (UK), 1996 (U.S. combat use), 2013 (Germany), 2016 (U.S. target drone)
Status: In limited service
Primary users: United States Air Force (historical), United States Navy (historical), United States Marine Corps (historical), Iranian Air Force, Japanese Air Force
Produced: 1958–1981
Number built: 5,195
Unit cost: U.S, $2.4 million (FY1965, new build F-4E)
Variants: McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG1/FGR2
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft.
It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable, it was also adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force, and by the mid-1960's had become a major part of their air arms.
The Phantom is a large fighter with a top speed of over Mach 2.2. It can carry more than 18,000 pounds (8,400 kg) of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various bombs.
The F-4, like other interceptors of its time, was designed without an internal cannon. Later models incorporated an M61 Vulcan rotary cannon. Beginning in 1959, it set 15 world records for in-flight performance, including an absolute speed record, and an absolute altitude record.
The F-4 was used extensively during the Vietnam War. It served as the principal air superiority fighter for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and became important in the ground-attack and aerial reconnaissance roles late in the war.
During the Vietnam War, one U.S. Air Force pilot, two weapon systems officers (WSOs),[6] one U.S. Navy pilot and one radar intercept officer (RIO) became aces by achieving five aerial kills against enemy fighter aircraft.
The F-4 continued to form a major part of U.S. military air power throughout the 1970's and 1980's, being gradually replaced by more modern aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon in the U.S. Air Force, the F-14 Tomcat in the U.S. Navy, and the F/A-18 Hornet in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
The F-4 Phantom II remained in use by the U.S. in the reconnaissance and Wild Weasel (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) roles in the 1991 Gulf War, finally leaving service in 1996.
It was also the only aircraft used by both U.S. flight demonstration teams: the USAF Thunderbirds (F-4E) and the US Navy Blue Angels (F-4J).
The F-4 was also operated by the armed forces of 11 other nations. Israeli Phantoms saw extensive combat in several Arab–Israeli conflicts, while Iran used its large fleet of Phantoms, acquired before the fall of the Shah, in the Iran–Iraq War.
Phantom production ran from 1958 to 1981, with a total of 5,195 built, making it the most produced American supersonic military aircraft.
As of 2018, 60 years after its first flight, the F-4 remains in service with Iran, Japan, South Korea, Greece and Turkey. The aircraft has most recently been in service against the Islamic State group in the Middle East.
From 1968, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) purchased a total of 140 F-4EJ Phantoms without aerial refueling, AGM-12 Bullpup missile system, nuclear control system or ground attack capabilities.
Mitsubishi built 138 under license in Japan and 14 unarmed reconnaissance RF-4E's were imported. One of the aircraft (17-8440) was the very last of the 5,195 F-4 Phantoms to be produced. It was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on 21 May 1981.
"The Final Phantom" served with 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron and later transferred to the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron.
Of these, 96 F-4EJ's were modified to the F-4EJ Kai (modified) standard.[125] 15 F-4EJ's were converted to reconnaissance aircraft designated RF-4EJ, with similar upgrades as the F-4EJ Kai.
Japan had a fleet of 90 F-4s in service in 2007. After studying several replacement fighters the F-35 Lightning II was chosen in 2011.
Delays with the F-35 program have meant that some F-4's have remained in service. As of 2017 all three of the JASDF's remaining Phantom squadrons are based at Hyakuri Air Base in Ibaraki prefecture north of Tokyo. Some F-4s are also operated by the Air Development and Test Wing in Gifu Prefecture.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role Interceptor: fighter-bomber
National origin: United States
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas Aircraft
First flight: 27 May 1958
Introduction to service: 30 December 1960
Retired: 1992 (UK), 1996 (U.S. combat use), 2013 (Germany), 2016 (U.S. target drone)
Status: In limited service
Primary users: United States Air Force (historical), United States Navy (historical), United States Marine Corps (historical), Iranian Air Force, Japanese Air Force
Produced: 1958–1981
Number built: 5,195
Unit cost: U.S, $2.4 million (FY1965, new build F-4E)
Variants: McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG1/FGR2
THE KIT:
Platz is the seller of this kit. It is manufactured by F-Toys. Both firms are located in Shizuoka City, Japan.
This kit comes in a un-wrapped end-opening type box. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet find their way past one of the end-flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows a color photo of an actual Japanese F-4EJ. It says EJ twice. Which is wrong. It should only be once.
The Phantom is sitting on a runway. It is overall white with a black nose. It has an eagles head on the nose and black no. 327. On the side of the engine air intakes its has a large JASDF in blue lettering. A black serial no. 47-8327 is on the rudder with a large black 5. It is carrying blue fuel tanks under the wings with white lettering "Carrying on towards the beautiful set".
One side panel is all in Japanese.
The other side panel is predominantly in Japanese, except for "Some parts may be too sharp. More caution and care needed for families with infants. When using adhesives and paints, do not use near fire to avoid flammability".
Platz's street address in Shizuoka City, Japan is provided, along with their telephone and FAX numbers and their web address. Copyright date of the kit is 2007 and kit was made in Japan.
Bottom of the box is painting and marking guide. It shows two 4-views of the Phantom.
1. The box art scheme (already described above).
It is with JASDF 302nd Sqdn.,83rd AW in 2004.
2. A Phantom that is overall ghost grey with a light ghost grey under carriage. It has a black nose and engine exhaust. It's fuel tanks say "50th Anniversary" in white on them. The fuselage has orange scalloping down the sides and on the rudder, with a black panther on the rudder and the black serial no. 47-8332.
Platz is the seller of this kit. It is manufactured by F-Toys. Both firms are located in Shizuoka City, Japan.
This kit comes in a un-wrapped end-opening type box. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet find their way past one of the end-flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows a color photo of an actual Japanese F-4EJ. It says EJ twice. Which is wrong. It should only be once.
The Phantom is sitting on a runway. It is overall white with a black nose. It has an eagles head on the nose and black no. 327. On the side of the engine air intakes its has a large JASDF in blue lettering. A black serial no. 47-8327 is on the rudder with a large black 5. It is carrying blue fuel tanks under the wings with white lettering "Carrying on towards the beautiful set".
One side panel is all in Japanese.
The other side panel is predominantly in Japanese, except for "Some parts may be too sharp. More caution and care needed for families with infants. When using adhesives and paints, do not use near fire to avoid flammability".
Platz's street address in Shizuoka City, Japan is provided, along with their telephone and FAX numbers and their web address. Copyright date of the kit is 2007 and kit was made in Japan.
Bottom of the box is painting and marking guide. It shows two 4-views of the Phantom.
1. The box art scheme (already described above).
It is with JASDF 302nd Sqdn.,83rd AW in 2004.
2. A Phantom that is overall ghost grey with a light ghost grey under carriage. It has a black nose and engine exhaust. It's fuel tanks say "50th Anniversary" in white on them. The fuselage has orange scalloping down the sides and on the rudder, with a black panther on the rudder and the black serial no. 47-8332.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
As already said above, this kit contains 2 complete kits of the Phantom.
There is one medium-grey parts tree and loose medium-grey fuselage halves, display stand parts,and exhaust nozzles in a clear cello bag, inside another cello bag that is taped shut with scotch tape, along with the clear parts in still another sealed cello bag.
The decal sheet is in another taped shut clear cello bag. It has a tissue to protect its face from being scratched.
As already said above, this kit contains 2 complete kits of the Phantom.
There is one medium-grey parts tree and loose medium-grey fuselage halves, display stand parts,and exhaust nozzles in a clear cello bag, inside another cello bag that is taped shut with scotch tape, along with the clear parts in still another sealed cello bag.
The decal sheet is in another taped shut clear cello bag. It has a tissue to protect its face from being scratched.
The medium-grey tree holds drop tanks, wings, elevators, engine air intake panels, cockpit interior, tail wheel, main landing gear etc. (21 parts)
Next is the medium-grey fuselage halves, display stand parts and the exhaust nozzles (6 parts)
The clear parts are the cockpit transparency, crew figures and fuselage nose (4 parts)
The instruction consists of a single-sheet folded in the center to create 4 pages in 8 1/4" x 6 " page format.
Page 1 is mostly in Japanese, except for general instructions in English, over the parts trees illustrations.
Page 2 & 3 gives a total of 5 assembly steps.
Page 4 is the marking and painting instructions showing a 4-view of the two versions of the Phantom already described above.
The all ghost grey Phantom was with JASDF 8th Sqdn. 3rd AW in 2004.
Below these is Platz's street address in Shizuoka City, Japan and their telephone and FAX number and e-mail and web address and copyright 2007 and MADE IN JAPAN again.
Kit has very nicely engraved detail.
Part trees are not alphabetized. They do not have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
Recommended.
I want to thank the folks at Platz, who sent me this kit and F-Toys too.
All Platz products can be viewed on their site at:
Page 1 is mostly in Japanese, except for general instructions in English, over the parts trees illustrations.
Page 2 & 3 gives a total of 5 assembly steps.
Page 4 is the marking and painting instructions showing a 4-view of the two versions of the Phantom already described above.
The all ghost grey Phantom was with JASDF 8th Sqdn. 3rd AW in 2004.
Below these is Platz's street address in Shizuoka City, Japan and their telephone and FAX number and e-mail and web address and copyright 2007 and MADE IN JAPAN again.
Kit has very nicely engraved detail.
Part trees are not alphabetized. They do not have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
Recommended.
I want to thank the folks at Platz, who sent me this kit and F-Toys too.
All Platz products can be viewed on their site at: