COBI F-4M Phantom II (FGR.2) Set 5908

COBI's F-4M Phantom II (FGR.2) is a 1:48 model built from 728 blocks, 38 cm long, in RAF markings. The control surfaces move, the landing gear retracts, the cockpit opens for two simplified RAF crew figures in helmets and oxygen masks, and Skyflash and AIM-9 missiles are fitted. A movable display stand with a white plaque carrying the name, scale and Union flag is included. All markings are printed; no stickers.

Britain put its own engines in, and made it worse

When Britain bought Phantoms in the 1960s it insisted on Rolls-Royce Spey engines instead of the American J79, to support British industry and because the Spey's better fuel consumption suited carrier operations.

The Spey is a wider engine. Fitting it meant enlarging the rear fuselage and the air intakes, which added drag and weight. The result was a Phantom with more thrust than any American version that was slower at high altitude, had a lower ceiling, and cost roughly twice as much per aircraft — because the redesign had to be paid for across a small production run.

Low down and in the climb it was better than the American aircraft. Everywhere else it was worse. It is a textbook case of what industrial policy costs when it collides with engineering, and it is still argued about.

Service

RAF Phantoms patrolled European and Atlantic airspace for two decades, from Britain and from West Germany. During the Falklands conflict they operated from Ascension Island and, once the runway at Port Stanley was usable, from the islands themselves. They were replaced by the Tornado F3 in 1992.

In the COBI range

Set 5897 is the USS Midway Phantom, 5898 the German F-4F and 5899 the F-4S "Black Bunny", all at this scale.

Specifications

Pieces: 728 · Figures: 2 · Scale: 1:48 · No stickers
Model dimensions: 38 × 24 × 12 cm (15.0 × 9.4 × 4.7 in)