Hobby Master 1/72 HA19012 McDonnell Douglas QF-4E Phantom II 53bWEG, 82 ATRS, 2016 USAF Farewell

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.

On December 21, 2016 the USAF officially ended the use of the McDonnell Douglas QF-4E Phantom II when it was used to make a final fly-pass at Holloman AFB. The QF-4E had replaced the QF-106 that had previously been used by the 53rd WEG (Weapons Evaluation Group) / 82nd ATRS (Aerial Targets Squadron). The F-4 has been in service with the U.S. military since 1963 and was the primary multi-role aircraft through the 190s and 70s. The QF-4 provides a realistic full-scale target for air-to-air weapons system evaluation, development and testing.