Airplane Model*Hobby Master HA19039 1:72 F-4E “Kurnass” – Miniature Marvels: Airplane Models & Painted Dice

Hobby Master HA19039 1:72 F-4E “Kurnass” s/n 109, 201st Sqn. “The One”, Tel Nof Air Base, Israel Air Force, 1974

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.

The first F-4Es were delivered to the Israeli Air Force in 1969 and were nicknamed Kurnass (Sledgehammer) with the RF-4Es being called Orev (Raven). These aircraft were comprised of ex-USAF aircraft as well as new built. Israel became the largest non-USA operator of the F-4. McDonnell F-4E Phantom II 69-7241 MSN 3912 was transferred to the Israeli Air Force in 1970 as serial 119 and then 109 and even later 519. In 1980 improvements to the F-4E began which would make the aircraft even more deadly and this is when the term Kurnass became official.