Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richthofen", based at Wittmund, Germany, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009. For the occasion F-4F 37+03 was given a special paint scheme. On the starboard side of the tail a red Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker and on the port side a portrait of Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen, "Red Baron". On the top and bottom of the aircraft wings is a black 5 on the left and a black 0 on the right. The F-4 37+03 c/n 4342 was the third of 175 delivered to what was then West Germany.

Designed as a fleet defense fighter for the US Navy, the F-4 Phantom was first flown on May 27, 1958. This twin-engine, long-range all-weather fighter/bomber proved highly adaptable and served in the Marine Corps and the US Air Force as well as in the Navy. During the Vietnam War, it was the principal air superiority fighter for the Navy and the Air Force and was also used for reconnaissance and ground attack. The Phantom continued to serve well into the 1970s and 1980s and even flew missions during the first Gulf War. Finally phased out by the F-14, F-16 and F/A-18, the Phantom was retired in 1996.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale F-4 Phantom II is highly detailed and very popular among collectors. This model has an intricately crafted fuselage, with rear and forward canopies that open to expose cockpit interior details such as instrument panel dials, control stick and ejector seat handles. The solid metal wing has raised wing-tips and a dog-toothed leading edge that blends seamlessly into the fuselage. Each release includes a full complement of removable ordnance. Variants in this series have notable differences in the nose and/or tail fin and slight variations in the engines' exhaust. Carrier-based variants have elevators with a raised leading edge, and land-based variants have standard leading edges.

Info:    F-4C Phantom II - 389th TFS "The Gunfighters", May 1967 (Lt Col Robert Titus & 1st Lt. Milan Zimer)