RF-4E Kai Shark Mouth, 501st Squadron, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1:72)

Starting in 1973 the Japan Air Self-Defense Force received 154 F-4EJ Phantoms that were based on the USAF F-4E. 138 of these aircraft were manufactured under license by Mitsubishi who produced the last F-4 Phantom II several changes were made to the F-4E to make it an F-4EJ. Basically it had any offensive weapons removed but eventually these restrictions were lifted and the aircraft were updated with missiles and the latest electronic equipment.

Six squadrons (hikotais) were equipped with the F-4EJ. The 301st, 302nd, 303rd, 304th, 305th and 306th. Originally based at Hyakuri Air Base the 301st Squadron of the JASDF, 7th Air Wing (koku-dan) painted some aircraft in a 'MiG Silhouette' scheme so they would resemble MiG-21s at a distance. Hopefully this would fool the enemy long enough to take advantage of the encounter if it should happen. By 1992 the original 140 F-4EJs had been cut to 125 aircraft through attrition.

During 1979 and 1980 the JASDF received 14 unarmed RF-4E's from the U.S.. These were to replace the aging RF-86F Sabres they had been using for reconnaissance. In 1982 a program was started to update the JASDF F-4EJ's by strengthening the structure, adding the in-flight re-fuelling probe, new avionics such as improved radar, new computers and wired for Side-winders. The upgraded aircraft were given the designation F-4EJ Kai (Kai ' short for kaizen or improvement). Included in the upgrade were 13 of the 14 RF-4E that received new radars and were referred to as RF-4E Kai. These RF-4E Kai were operated by 501 Hikotai (squadron).

Specifications for the F-4E Phantom II / F-4EJ

They are virtually identical except for the restricted equipment: This included removal of the in-flight refueling receptacle that was later retrofitted, no leading edge slats, ground attack control equipment such as weapons and bomb delivery systems and the addition of modern electronic equipment including a data link system and radar warning receiver. Most or all this equipment was eventually reinstalled.

Number Built: F-4E - 5,195 / F-4EJ - 154 with 138 built in Japan under license.

Interesting trivia:
Each aircraft has 54,197 feet of wiring and 643,000 fasteners holding it together.

Engines:
2 X General Electric J79-GE-17 turbojets, 11,870 lb.s.t dry, 17,900 lb.s.t. with afterburner.

Performance:
Maximum speed - 1430 mph at 36,000 feet (Mach 2.21), 914 mph at sea level (Mach 1.19).
Cruising speed - 585 mph.
Landing speed - 158 mph.
Initial climb rate - 61,400 feet per minute.
Service ceiling - 62,250 feet.
Combat ceiling - 59,600 feet.
Combat range - 595 miles.
Normal range - 1,100 miles.
Maximum range ' 1,885 miles with maximum external fuel.

Weights:
Empty - 29,535 pounds.
Gross - 40,562 pounds.
Combat weight - 38,019 pounds.
Maximum takeoff weight - 61,651 pounds.

Dimensions:
Wingspan - 38 feet 5 inches.
Wing area - 530 square feet.
Length - 63 feet 0 inches.
Height - 16 feet 6 inches.

Fuel:
Maximum internal fuel in the fuselage tanks - 1364 US gallons (up to block 40) or 1225 US gallons (block 41 and beyond). An additional 630 gallons of fuel could be carried in internal tanks inside the wings.
Maximum external fuel - 600 US gallons in a centerline tank carried underneath the fuselage.
Plus 370 US gallons in each of two tanks carried underneath the outer wing pylons.
Total fuel load ' 3,334 US gallons (up to block 40) or 3,195 US gallons (block 41 and beyond).

Armament:
1 X 20-mm M61A1 cannon with 639 rounds.
4 X AIM-7 Sparrow semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles in semi-recessed slots in the fuselage belly.
2 to 4 X AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles carried under the wings on the inboard pylons.
A total offensive load of up to 16,000 pounds could be carried on the centerline and four under-wing hard-points.