HA1906 - F-4F Phantom II - 302 Squadron, 2nd Wing, JASDF, Chitose Air Base

Starting in 1973 the Japan Air Self-Defense Force "Hihon Koku Jietai" received 154 F-4EJ Phantoms that were based on the USAF F-4E. This was enough to equip six interceptor squadrons. 138 of these aircraft were manufactured under license by Mitsubishi who produced the last F-4 Phantom II in the world; aircraft 17-8440 on May 21, 1981. Since Japan was under a non-aggression restriction after WW II several changes were made to the F-4E to make it an F-4EJ. This included removal of the in-flight refueling receptacle that was later retrofitted, no leading edge slats, ground attack control equipment such as weapons and bomb delivery systems and the addition of modern electronic equipment including a data link system and radar warning receiver. Most of the equipment that had been restricted were reinstalled over time. The F-4EJ came equipped with a 20mm Vulcan canon affixed under the nose, and AIM-7E Sparrow and AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles. Starting in the late 80's 96 F-4EJs have been modified to the F-4EJ Kai (modified) standard. This mainly was an improvement with the latest electronics, radar and avionics.

The 302 Hikotai (Air Squadron) was formed in 1974 as part of 83 Kokugun (Air Group), 2 Kokudan (Air Wing). They were based at Chitose AB, Hokkaido; the main JASDF base in northern Japan. Its primary task was to monitor Japan's maritime border with Russia. F-4EJ 07-8432 was produced in 1980 and on October 29, 1984 at approximately 13.42 had the misfortune of suffering engine troubles while on a training flight and crashed into the sea. Pilot Major Hironaka Katsuhiko, WSO Captain Noguchi Moritaka ejected and were safely recovered.

Scale 1:72