COBI Building Set AF F-4 Phantom II (COBI-5897)

American fighter-bomber F-4 Phantom II – USS Midway (COBI 5897) – Armed Forces 1:48
This kit represents the iconic American fighter-bomber aircraft F-4 Phantom II with typical camouflage and unit markings of the aircraft carrier USS Midway. The model is very detailed and functional, featuring tilting control surfaces, an opening cockpit cover, and the ability to place two specially adapted "half-figures" in the cockpit. Under the wings are mounted additional fuel tanks, Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles.
The model can stand on its own landing gear or be displayed on the included stand with a description. A great model not only for collectors but also for younger builders from 8 years old.

Kit parameters:
Version (series): 01/2025
Number of pieces: 703 pcs
Number of figures: 0 (half-figures included)
Scale: 1:48
Dimensions when assembled: 24 × 38 × 12 cm
Package dimensions: 45 × 28 × 6 cm
Package weight: 890 g
Recommended age: 8+
Combinability: Yes
Glow-in-the-dark pieces: No
Material: Plastic
Collection: Armed Forces

F-4 Phantom II – Legendary fighter-bomber
Work on the new supersonic aircraft began as early as 1952. At that time, the US Air Force was using machines like the FH-1, Voodoo, or Crusader and saw no need for a new aircraft. However, the development was driven by visionary designer Dave Lewis, who, together with H. Barkey, began building prototypes without government financial support. The first prototype XF4H-1 flew on May 27, 1958.
The aircraft had revolutionary features: the ability to fly in all weather conditions, nine hardpoints under the wings and fuselage for a wide range of weapons, high speed, and large payload capacity. Initial problems with the prototypes were resolved, although one unit crashed.
Serial production began at the end of 1958. The name changed from "Satan" and "Mithras" to the now-known nickname Phantom II. Although the US Air Force initially hesitated, after tests, it had to admit that the Phantom surpassed all contemporary machines. The aircraft set 16 world records.
The Phantom originally did not have an onboard cannon, which proved to be a disadvantage during the Vietnam War when air battles also occurred at close range. The most famous pilots were, for example, Captain Louis Page and Lieutenant John C. Smith, who recorded the first shootdown of a North Vietnamese MiG.
More than 5,000 units were produced in various versions, and the aircraft served until 1996, with some machines still in service today.

Technical parameters (F-4 Phantom II):
Wingspan: 11.71 m
Length: 19.2 m
Height: 5.03 m
Empty weight: 13,397 kg
Maximum takeoff weight: 27,965 kg
Engines: 2× General Electric J79 jet engine (79.6 kN thrust each)
Maximum speed: 2,389 km/h (Mach ~2.3)
Rate of climb: 312 m/s
Maximum flight altitude: 18,975 m
Maximum range: 3,065 km
Fuel tank capacity: 7,549 l + 12,627 l in additional tanks
Armament:
1× six-barrel M61A1 Vulcan cannon
Up to 8,480 kg of weapons (missiles, bombs) on 9 hardpoints
Crew: 2 persons (pilot and navigator/gunner)

Colonel Robin Olds January 2, 1967:
"The North Vietnamese MiGs were reluctant to take to the air, so we had to lure them out. We pretended to be slow F-105 Thunderchief bombers, and it worked. The MiGs, seeing an easy victory, entered our space with audacity and aggression. They probably thought it would be over soon. And it was. That day we shot down 7 MiGs, and the rest fled.