Syark Air Force (SAF) - 1/72 Hobby Master US Marines RF-4B BuNo 157344, VMCJ-2 "Playboys", MCAS Cherry Point, 1975

1/72 Hobby Master US Marines RF-4B BuNo 157344, VMCJ-2 "Playboys", MCAS Cherry Point, 1975

The first production RF- 4C flew in May 1964. The RF- 4C was an unarmed recon variant designed for information gathering. This variant is quite easy to recognize from other F-4 variants because of the distinctive nose. The larger nose was designed to accommodate radar, sensors and flat windows for cameras. During its years of service the RF-4C used two nose variations. The original design was the angular version with a later design that had a smoother rounded camera bulge. There were 503 RF- 4cs built with 499 being officially accepted by the USAF.

The Aircraft

One of the 46 RF-4B was built as BuNo. 3717 with serial number 157344. The aircraft first flew on June 8, 1970 and on July 10, 1970 the aircraft was assigned to VMCJ-2. In 1975 the aircraft was reassigned to VMFP-3 still wearing VMCJ-2 tail code but VMFP-3 markings. In December 1976 it was coded RF-20 and in September 1977 RF-611. On September 27, 1977 the aircraft was written off when one engine caught fire on departure from NAS Atsugi, Japan and the crew ejected safely.

source : US Marines RF-4B