Hasegawa 1/48 F-4EJ Kai Super Phantom w/one-piece canopy.
The F-4EJ Kai is an Air Self-Defense Force fighter developed from the F-4EJ Phantom II.
In 1968, it was decided to adopt the F-4EJ as the successor to the F-86F, and since more than 20 years have passed since the introduction of the F-4EJ, which began deployment in 1969, research and development has been carried out since 1980 to extend the life of the aircraft and improve its capabilities.
As a result, in February 1982, a refit plan for the F-4EJ was announced.
The modifications were mainly to improve combat capability and to adopt the ASIP inspection system as a measure to extend the service life of the aircraft.
To improve combat capability, the F-4EJ is now equipped with the AN/APG-66J fire control radar, which is a modified version of the Westinghouse AN/APG-66 radar used on the F-16.
This radar was adopted following the MIG-25's forced landing at Hakodate, and is a small pulse Doppler radar suitable for spotting aircraft flying at low altitude over the sea from the air.
In conjunction with this, the on-board computer on the aircraft was changed from an analogue to a digital computer.
This made it possible to integrate the armament system and to operate the domestically produced ASM-1 anti-ship missile.
The navigation system was also changed from analogue to digital.
The digitalisation of the inertial navigation system has improved navigation accuracy considerably, and it also has a target-marking function that can mark up to three target locations.
In addition, as a means of defence, the radar warning system has been upgraded with improved capabilities, and detailed data is displayed on a CRT screen in the cockpit.
The HOTAS concept has also been adopted to simplify the pilot's operating procedures, allowing him to perform various operations while keeping his hands on the control stick and throttle lever.
Along with these modifications, a new heads-up display of the processed data allows the pilot to read the data while facing forward.
The F-4EJ modification adopts the ASIP airframe management system as a measure to prolong the life of the aircraft.
This is a system that manages the flight performance data of each aircraft by computer and allows the fatigue level of each aircraft to be managed individually.
This ASIP system enables a life extension of approximately 2,000 hours per aircraft.
The main mission of the F-4EJ Kai is to engage in strike combat, but ground attack is also much improved compared to the F-4EJ, so that when the F-1 support fighter is retired in the future, a squadron of F-4EJ Kai will be assigned to support combat missions.
(Information at the time of kit release)
■Data
Crew: 2
Overall width: 11.77m
Overall length: 19.2m
Overall height: 5.02m
Maximum take-off weight: 28,030kg
Engine: General Electric, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries J79-GE/IHI-17 x 2
Thrust: 5,380kg (8,120kg when using A/B)
Maximum speed: Mach 2.2/11,000m
Fixed armament: M61A1 20mm Vulcan cannon
First flight: 17.7.1984 (F-4EJ Kai, experimental modified aircraft)
Product specifications
1/48 scale unpainted assembly kit
Photo:
