The F-4E, the most advanced Phantom variant with extensive ground-attack capabilities and an internal gun, became the basis for the F-4G Wild Weasel V (also known as the Advanced Wild Weasel). This modification consisted of removing the gun and replacing it with the APR-38(t) Radar Homing and Warning Receiver (later upgraded to the APR-47), and a cockpit upgrade for the back seat to manage the electronic combat environment. A total of 134 F-4G models were converted from F-4Es with the first one flying in 1975. Squadron service began in 1978.

F-4Gs were deployed to three active wings. One was stationed at George AFB, Victorville, California, as part of the Rapid Deployment Force; one wing was assigned to USAFE (US Air Forces in Europe) at Spangdahlem AB, Germany; and the other to PACAF (Pacific Air Forces) at Clark AB, Philippines. F-4Gs from George AFB, Clark AB and Spangdahlem AB saw combat during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, successfully protecting strike packages from enemy air defenses. During this conflict the F-4G saw heavy use, with only a single loss: an aircraft from Spangdahlem AB crashed in Saudi Arabia while returning from a mission, after one of the AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles hang fired which left the aircraft's instruments not displaying the correct altitude information and a significant frame tweak from the damage made the plane hard to control. After an investigation into the loss of the aircraft which occurred during several aborted landing attempts in a sandstorm, it was determined that a fuel cell was punctured by anti-aircraft fire. The pilot and EWO safely ejected after the engines shut down when the aircraft ran out of fuel attempting to land at a forward airstrip.

After Desert Storm, some of the George AFB aircraft were assigned to the 124th Wing of the Air National Guard at Boise, Idaho, 190th Fighter Squadron. Aircraft from Spangdahlem, Clark, and the remainder from George were assigned to the 561st Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Wing (Active Duty) at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas. The aircraft remained in service until 1996, with both squadrons participating in frequent deployments to Saudi Arabia and Turkey in support of Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Vigilant Warrior enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq. By this time the F-4G was the last operational variant of the Phantom II in the US forces. Many of the airframes were later used as target drones and Aircraft Battle Damage Repair training aids.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USAF McDonnell F-4G Phantom II Wild Weasel aircraft that was attached to the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron "Panthers", 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing, then deployed to Spangdahlem AB, Germany, during 1985. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-1/4-inches
Length: 10-1/2-inches

Release Date: May 2024

Historical Account: "Panthers" - The 81st Fighter Squadron is an inactive squadron of the United States Air Force. It was last assigned to Air Education and Training Command, stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia as a geographically separate unit of the 14th Operations Group, 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. The squadron last operated the A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, conducting close air support training for allied nations.

The squadron was first activated in 1942 in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and was tasked with conducting night fighter training to produce trained crews for other squadrons. In 1944, the squadron deployed to England and flew hundreds of combat mission until 1945, including during the invasion of Normandy. In the aftermath of World War II, the squadron was inactivated.

From 1947 to 1951, the squadron briefly served as a reserve unit.

In 1953, the squadron was reactivated and was sent to Hahn Air Base, Germany. The squadron remained stationed in Europe throughout the Cold War and beyond, taking part in the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and the War in Afghanistan. In 2013, the squadron was inactivated at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

In 2014, the squadron was reactivated at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia as a training unit for counter-insurgency aircraft, training allied nations in close air support operations, a mission it conducted until its most recent inactivation in 2022.