This auction is for the Italeri McDonnell-Douglas RF-4C/E Phantom, kit no. 133, in 1/72 scale.
The kit is complete except for the decals. The kit is therefore sold as is.
I recently acquired a number of model kits that had been damaged in a basement waterpipe leak. The owner was just going to chuck them, but I took them off his hands. The boxes display staining of varying degrees, ranging from hardly noticeable to significant. The good news is that most are complete; most instruction sheets are unblemished – all are readable. Perfect for the builder at a major discount. Collector? Pass them by. Builder? Snap them up before they’re gone. Classic kits at a major discount.
The F-4 Phantom is one of the most recognizable aircraft in the world. It was originally developed for the Navy as an all-weather, supersonic, long-range interceptor. It was so versatile that the Air Force did the unthinkable - it ordered a Navy fighter for its own use. Big and powerful, it was capable of Mach 2.2. It was used for both air superiority and bombing missions and was highly successful in both. The Phantom became the face of the US forces in Vietnam. Both the Air Force and Navy utilized this versatile aircraft as their air superiority fighter. Of the five Americans who achieved ace status in that war, all flew in the Phantom. Dozens of Air Forces around the world ordered the Phantom for their security needs. It also thrilled millions as the mount of both the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds air demonstration squadrons. A total of 5,195 were built. Sixteen squadrons of Phantoms were permanently deployed during the Vietnam War between 1965 and 1973, and 17 others deployed on temporary combat assignments. Peak numbers of combat F-4s occurred in 1972, when 353 were based in Thailand. A total of 445 Air Force Phantom fighter-bombers were lost, 370 in combat and 193 of those over North Vietnam (33 to MiGs, 30 to SAMs, and 307 to AAA). The RF-4C was operated by four squadrons and, of the 83 losses, 72 were in combat including 38 over North Vietnam (seven to SAMs and 65 to AAA). By war's end, the U.S. Air Force had lost a total of 528 F-4 and RF-4C Phantoms. When combined with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps losses of 233 Phantoms, 761 F-4/RF-4 Phantoms were lost in the Vietnam War.
Italeri's kit models the RF-4C photo reconnaissance version. The RF-4C was an unarmed photographic reconnaissance version of the USAF’s F-4C which carried a variety of film-based and side-looking radar [SLAR] sensors for the Air Force (RF-4C) and the Marine Corps (RF-4B). In the early 1960s, the USAF recognized the need for more tactical reconnaissance aircraft to reinforce the RF-101s then in service. The Air Force chose a modification of the F-4C fighter. The RF-4C development program began in 1962, and the first production aircraft made its initial flight on May 18, 1964. A total of 505 RF-4Cs were ordered by the Air Force. The RF-4C could carry a variety of cameras in three different stations in its nose section. There are three basic systems in the RF-4C: side-looking radar to record high-definition radar pictures of terrain on either side on film; infrared detector to locate enemy forces under cover or at night by detecting exhaust gasses and other heat sources; forward and side-looking cameras including panoramic models with moving-lens elements for horizon-to-horizon pictures. To light objects at night, photo flash cartridges are ejected from the fuselage. The systems are operated from the rear seat. The RF-4C carried no offensive armament, although during the last few years of its service some were fitted with four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for defense. Used extensively in Viet Nam and Desert Storm, the Air Force continued using the RF-4 until 1998.
The box, while structurally sound, shows evidence of water damage. There is staining along the top of the box as well as on the left underside (see photos). The decals were not salvageable. The instructions are in good condition with some browning.
The kit is complete except for the decals. The kit is therefore sold as is.
USA bidders only. Buyer pays shipping and handling of $9.95 for priority mail shipping. All sales are final - if you have an issue you wish to discuss, please contact me.
Payment within 3 days.
