Hobby Master HA1946A 1:72 F-4D – Miniature Marvels: Airplane Models & Painted Dice* Airplane Model

Description

Hobby Master HA1946A 1:72 McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom 66-0267 Capt. John Madden and Capt. Chuck DeBellevue 555th TFS/8th TFW, Udorn AFB Thailand, 1972 autographed by Capt. Chuck DeBellevue.

The F-4D was an improved C variant with most improvements being internal electronics andavionics. The F-4D entered operational service in April 1966 and joined the combat forces inSoutheast Asia in May 1967. With the arrival of the D most of the C variantwas reassigned to ground attack with the Ds taking on the air-to-air interceptor role. In 1968 1969 a total of 825 D models were produced 793 for the USAF and 32 for the Iranian Air Force.

Captain Chuck DeBellevue came from the 555th TFS / 432nd TRW with 4 MiG-21 victoriesunder his belt while flying with Captain R. Ritchie, but now was paired with Captain John Maddenof 555th TFS / 8th TFW at Udorn AB, Thailand. On September 9, 1972 during OperationLinebacker while flying F-4D 66-0267 call-sign Olds 01, Madden and DeBellevue fired twoAIM-7 missiles at a MiG-21 but missed but then managed to down 2 MiG-19s giving DeBellevuevictories 5 and 6 making him the highest scoring American Ace of the Vietnam War.