US Navy Blue Angels F-4J Phantom II (1969-1974)

[rx79gez8gundam]

The US Navy's aerial display team the Blue Angels transitioned from the Grumman F-11F Tiger to the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II in 1969. In 1974, due to the fuel crisis, they switched to the more economical McDonnell Douglas A-4F Skyhawk II, continuing in that aircraft until 1986 and the switch to their current aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A-18A/B Hornet (now C/D). The Phantom II notably was also flown by the US Air Force display team the Thunderbirds at the same time as the Blue Angels, the only time both teams have flown similar aircraft (although the Thunderbirds flew the USAF F-4E variant).

The models feature detailed pilot and WSO cockpits with opening canopies, opening radome with antenna, retractable landing gear, folding wings, deployable ram air turbine (RAT) and Naval style inflight refueling probe, and positionable flaps, flaperons, spoilerons, leading edge flaps, airbrakes, tailplanes, and tail hook. See more at my Mocpages account.

Blue Angels 4-ship diamond of F-4Js.

The Blue Angels' F-4J solo aircraft 5 and 6 perform an "Inverted Dirty Pass", wherein the two aircraft make a formation flyby of the crowd with one aircraft inverted. The "Dirty" in the name is an aviation term that refers to the high-drag configuration of the aircraft, with the landing gear and tail hooks deployed. This maneuver is unique to the Blue Angels and not performed by the USAF Thunderbirds.

[Captain Braunsfeld]

Excellent model, well done!

[Balbo]

Amazing work! I really like the techniques you used and the photos

Edited April 2, 2015 by Balbo

[Kodan Black]

Always loved how that ugly little plane looked. Great representation of such a fantastic fighter.

[rx79gez8gundam]

I wouldn't exactly call the Phantom "little", but it certainly proved that with enough thrust a cinder block could fly.