Academy 12515 1:72 F-4J 'SHOWTIME 100'

Here is Academy's  1/72 F-4J Phantom II, the first of the Phantoms in this scale. Like the 1/48 scale F-4B and F-4J releases, Academy has produced this kit in multi-colored plastic to provide the modeler with the option of building this kit without paint (and still look somewhat reasonable). The kit is molded in white, gray, and black styrene and presented on eight parts trees plus one tree of clear parts. The surface detailing is finely scribed with no signs of mold flash. 

The Navy flew the F-4B extensively in Southeast Asia and as technology improved, the Navy ordered the F-4J to replace the F-4B. The F-4J featured an improved radar and higher thrust J79 engines. When Secretary of Defense McNamara's mandated replacement for the Naval F-4 faltered in development (the F-111B), the Navy performed a life extension program on their fleet of Phantoms. The F-4B received avionics updates and the resulting aircraft was designated F-4N, while the F-4J was not only given upgraded avionics, it also retrofitted with a similar flap/slat system as the later block USAF F-4Es. These updated F-4J aircraft were designated as the F-4S. These upgraded Phantoms soldiered on until the F-111B replacement, the F-14A Tomcat, could enter the fleet in sufficient numbers.