Hobby Master 1/72 HA1936 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II 66-0364, Egyptian Air Force, 222 Tact Fighter Brigade, 76 Squadron, 1980s
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 was the main multipurpose aircraft for the US Military for 20 years. The F-4E variant was an improved version of the C/D with an elongated nose and compact radar. These two things made it possible to install a 20mm M61A1 6 barrel 640 round Vulcan gun pod in the nose. The F-4E was the most produced variant with 1387 aircraft being made over its 12 year production period. The E also equipped more air forces than any other variant of the Phantom II.
In 1977 the U.S. and Egypt reached an agreement called “Peace Pharaoh” under which Egypt would be supplied with 35-36 F-4E Phantom IIs as well as AIM-7, AIM-9, AGM-65 missiles and Mk. 82 bombs. On October 14, 1979 the first aircraft arrived in Egypt at Cairo-West AB. These aircraft were ex-31st TFW F-4Es from Homestead Florida and were assigned to squadrons of the 222nd Tactical Fighter Brigade. In 1982 F-16s began to arrive and as a result the F-4Es primary mission was changed from air defense to ground attack. This F-4E is 66-0364/7801 C/N 2750 delivered to Egypt in 1980 and stationed at Al Quwwat al Jawwiya il Misriya, Cairo-West AB.