F-4E Phantom II, U.S. Air Force "Thunderbirds" (1:72)

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 was the main multipurpose aircraft for the US Military for 20 years. The F-4E variant was an improved version of the C/D with an elongated nose and compact radar. These two things made it possible to install a 20mm M61A1 6 barrel 640 round Vulcan gun pod in the nose. The F-4E was the most produced variant with 1387 aircraft being made over its 12 year production period. The �E� also equipped more air forces than any other variant of the Phantom II.

Starting in 1969 and for 5 seasons the USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration Team flew the McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II. This was a move back to the team�s tradition of using front-line type aircraft in their performances, something they had gotten away from when they previously flew the T-38A Talon super-sonic trainer. Converting the large F-4E to Thunderbird requirements was the most difficult and extensive in the team�s history. The various metals used on the F-4E to combat high heat and friction caused the paint that had been used on previous Thunderbird aircraft to look patchy. Out of necessity a polyurethane based paint was developed that would meet all requirements and provided a smooth looking finish. The main color on the F-4 became white instead of the usual silver of the previous aircraft. The white paint scheme has been used on all the Thunderbird aircraft from the F-4E through to today�s F-16.
Specifications for the standard production McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II

Engines - 2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets
Thrust � 11,870 lb. st dry, 17,900 lb. st with afterburners

Fuel
Maximum internal fuel - fuselage tanks 1,364 US gallons (up to block 40) and 1,225 US
gallons (from block 41 on).
Additional - 630 gallons of fuel in internal wing tanks.
External fuel load - 600 US gallons centerline tank
Additional - 370 US gallons tanks under each wing attached to the outer pylon
Total fuel load - 3334 US gallons (up to block 40) or 3195 US gallons (from block 41 on)

Performance
Maximum speed � 1,430 mph at 36,000 ft (Mach 2.21) / 914 mph at sea level (Mach 1.19)

Cruising speed � 585 mph
Landing speed � 158 mph
Initial climb rate � 61,400 fpm
Service ceiling � 62,250 ft
Combat ceiling � 59,600 ft
Combat range - 595 miles
Maximum range - 1885 miles with maximum external fuel

Weights
Empty - 29,535 lbs
Gross - 40,562 lbs
Combat - 38,019 lbs
Take off - 61,651 lbs

Dimensions
Wingspan - 38 ft 5 in
Wing area - 530 sq ft
Length - 63 ft 0 in
Height - 16 ft 6 in

Armament
1 X 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds in an under-nose gondola
4 X AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi-recessed slots in the fuselage belly 2 to 4 X AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles carried under the wings on the inboard pylons Total offensive load of up to 16,000 pounds could be carried on the centerline and four under-wing hard-points.

The Thunderbird's aircraft were stripped of all weapons and any unnecessary equipment.