Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA19038
McDonnell Douglas F-4E “Archangel 2005” 68-506, Mira 337, Hellenic Air Force
 
General Background
The F-4 Phantom II first entered US Military service in 1960. It was designed as a fleet defense fighter for the US Navy but by 1963 it was adopted as the US Air Force primary fighter-bomber. Despite the size and weight of this Cold War icon the F-4 broke 15 world records and continued to hold five of them until 1975.
 
Produced from 1960 to 1981 there were 5,195 Phantom IIs manufactured. Eleven countries other than the USA had the Phantom II in their inventory.
 
The Aircraft 
“Archangel 2005” was the national Greek Air Force Airshow held at Tanagra AB in 2005. F-4E 68-506 was given a special paint scheme to mark the retirement of the F-4E from the Hellenic Air Force. F-4E 68-506 MSN 3693 was delivered to the USAF 496th TFS in 1971 and after many transfers ended its time in the USA with the Indiana ANG 163rd TFS. In 1991 the aircraft was sold to the Hellenic AF and assigned to the 338 Mira and in 2005 it went to the 337 Mira and now serves as gate guard at Larissa AB.