Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA19048 McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II 151506, VF-84 "Jolly Rogers", USS Independence, 1984. 1/72 Scale Diecast Model, Size: 6.25" Wingspan & 10.5" Long, Optional Up & Down Landing Gear, Armaments & Display Stand Are Included.

One of the most famous and easily recognized fighter aircraft of the post-WWII era was the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II. This aircraft was developed as a private venture by the aircraft company but was soon ordered by the USN as a carrier-based attack aircraft. Its first flight took place on May 27, 1958 and it entered active service in December 1960. It wasn’t long after the F-4B appeared that a fly-off was set up with USAF front-line fighters. It was no contest, the F-4 performed so well that the USAF ordered their own variant, the F-4C. As time went on, the F-4 evolved into well over a dozen variants.

VF-84 “Jolly Rogers” was assigned to the USS Independence between 1963 and 1969. In 1964 the squadron received the F-4B in 1964 and flew them until 1975 when they transitioned to the F-14 in 1976. From September 8, 1964 until November 5, 1964 sailing the Atlantic Ocean. There next deployment was from May 10, 1965 until December 13, 1965 participating in the Vietnam War. On January 10, 1968 F-4B 151506 MSN 682 and 151499 were lost in a midair collision; both crews survived.