[Shawn 507]

Is it possible to convert this mold into a late USAF bird? I got the Corgi bird for the boy, but would really like to see a long nosed version flown by the USAF.
- Shawn

[timbo]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Is it possible to convert this mold into a late USAF bird? I got the Corgi bird for the boy, but would really like to see a long nosed version flown by the USAF.
- Shawn

Arn't HM supposedly comming out with the "E" this year?

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by timbo

Arn't HM supposedly comming out with the "E" this year?

That's what we are all hoping for! I would like to see an F-4E "Kurnass" in Israeli airforce scheme first and foremost.

[Phantom Phan1200]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Is it possible to convert this mold into a late USAF bird? I got the Corgi bird for the boy, but would really like to see a long nosed version flown by the USAF.
- Shawn

Im not sure, the brit spook was fitted with RR spey engines for political reasons when the contract was made with MD way back in the day.
That means when you sit a Brit F-4 next to domestic version you will notice larger front intakes & a larger rear fuselage section in order to fit the big RR engines.
The intakes would be a easy change but to covert a brit spook to a proper J79 powered bird you would have to retool the whole rear section of the fuselage.

[Andrew]

So how much better were the British Phantoms to the American counter parts?
I heard the Spey engines were more powerful

[timbo]

Originally Posted by Andrew

So how much better were the British Phantoms to the American counter parts?
I heard the Spey engines were more powerful

They are, but unfortunately the mods caused more drag, so any advantages were waisted and ultimately they were slower at the top end and suffered at high altitude, but on the plus side had a greater range due to being more efficient turbo fans, and they also had better take off performance. They were also smokeless.

[ZS-VAN]

Originally Posted by timbo

They are, but unfortunately the mods caused more drag, so any advantages were waisted and ultimately they were slower at the top end and suffered at high altitude, but on the plus side had a greater range due to being more efficient turbo fans, and they also had better take off performance. They were also smokeless.

Great answer timbo, couldn't have done better myself.

[Phantom Phan1200]

Originally Posted by timbo

They are, but unfortunately the mods caused more drag, so any advantages were waisted and ultimately they were slower at the top end and suffered at high altitude, but on the plus side had a greater range due to being more efficient turbo fans, and they also had better take off performance. They were also smokeless.

Spot on Timbo.

After doing much reading on the subject it was interesting to hear that a great number Brit F-4 pilots perfered the standard J79 American F-4 to the RR sepy version for the reason listed above.
The brits got their hands on a number of ex USN F-4J's in the 80's as a stop gap measure untill newer aircraft came online, most of them were based in ther Falklands, the RAF crews loved them.

Like I said it was politics that lead to the Spey F-4, the British governemt was not to keen on buying a off the shelf American fighter at the time.
To ease some of political pressure they felt it would be better if some of the aircrafts parts were built at home. While the spey was great powerplant it really did not improve the F-4 based on the other factors needed it fit it to the airframe, is has been said if brits would have just went of the standard F-4 they would have also saved a ton of time & money in the long run.
There are also differences in electronics, weapons systems & other things on American & British F-4's, but the main thing as always been the engines.

Having said all that the Spey F-4 is no turkey, it just did not live up to the expectations many had.
The combination of American & British technology worked great in the P-51 & others things like the Shelby A/C Cobra, but not as much in the F-4.

I persoanally love the way spey F-4's look, they look a little meaner with those over sized intakes & big engines sticking out the back.
Being a F-4 nut this is a important model to own & I will probably buy everyone GA makes, as long as they do a good job

[flyXwire]

This is probably a long shot, but I would definitely like to see GA do these anniversary Phantoms for sure!

FGR2 XV424 NATO 30th Anniversary

Boscombe Down FGR1 XT597 25th Anniversary

[Tyler109]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

This is probably a long shot, but I would definitely like to see GA do these anniversary Phantoms for sure!

FGR2 XV424 NATO 30th Anniversary


Boscombe Down XT597 25th Anniversary

I'm all for the Boscombe Phantom