Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA19046
F-4E Phantom II 68-0531, 163rd TFS, 122nd TFG, Ft Wayne, Indiana, May 1987
 
General Background
The 501st TRS was the JASDF’s only Recon Squadron. It was formed in December 1961 and uses the cartoon character Woody Woodpecker as it emblem. In 1972 the JASDF decided to replace their RF86F with 14 RF-4Es and formed a detachment at Hyakuri AB to handle the new aircraft. The first F-4Es were numbered 6901- 6914 and began arriving throughout 1974 and 1975. For operation over the water 6901, 6905 and 6913 were given a special Ocean Blue scheme while converted F-4EJ and F-4EL Kai were painted in green/gray Forest scheme.
 
The Aircraft 
At the end of WWII the 365th FS was re-designated the 163rd FS and assigned to the 122 nd FG of the Indiana National Guard. The squadron transitioned to the F-4E in 1986 which they flew until 1991 when replaced by the F- 16. F-4E was built in 1968 and first assigned to the 20 th FS, 49 th FW and between 1986 and 1991 was stationed with the 163 rd TFS. In 1997 the aircraft went to AMARC.