The IAF Aircraft Series
by A. Dor
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The Phantom was first used by the U.S. Navy as an interceptor but also was capable offlying as a ground-support bomber for the U.S. Marine Corps. The aircraft flew every traditional military m ission: air superiority, close air support, interception , air defense suppression , long-range strike, fleet defense, attack and reconnaissance. The maiden flight ofthe Phantom F-4A was in May 1958. After operational experience , gathered and analyzed during the U.S.A. intervention in Vietnam , U.S.A.F. requested the development of a multi-role fighter version which resulted in the production of the F-4E Phantom 2. The new F-4E had better controls and maneuverability, integral cannon , advanced electronic systems, as well as the then revolutionary jet-engine General Electric J-79. Flight performance was improved by adding special flaps on the wingtip, which were originally fixed devices, then integrated into the leading edge and controllable. Other features were: The remarkable small and effective Westinghouse APO-120 radar. The "TISEO" visual device and a new camera. ARMAMENT One 20mm Vulcan cannon M-61 A 1 with drum that contains 639 shells , mounted in the nose section . Air-to-air, medium- range , radar guided SPAR ROW missi les AIM-7D, E, E2 or Israeli made PYTHON 2 missiles. Air-to-air short-range, infra-red AIM-9 SIDEWINDER missiles, or Israeli made SHAFRIR missiles. Air-to-ground missiles such as the MAVERICKAGM-65 c/d/e, POPEYE (HAVE NAP) Self-aiming missiles, such as the SH RIKE AGM-45A, STANDARD ARM AGM-78A and HARM AGM-88. For air-to-ground m issions the Phantom can carry a maximum load of 6,232 kg. of bombs, such as : MK-82, MK-83, MK--84, CBU, GBU-1 0,12,15,16,24 etc ... As well as guided ("smart") bombs like the ROCKWELL HOBOS or all types of MARTIN - MARIETTA VOLLEY bombs, as well as Israeli made OPHER & GU ILLOTINE. The Phantom can carry electronic pods including th e ALO-71 ,72, 87,101,119 ,13,1 AVO23 Pave Spike TV-Laser pods can be carri ed in the forward left Sparrow bay. It can also carry different rocket combs, Vulcan 20mm gun pod, SAMPSON & DELILAH drones, and more. TECHNICAL DATA: TYPE: long-range mUlti-role fighter. MFG: U.S.A. McDonnell Douglas . ENGINE : two General-Electric J79-GE-17 engines , each having a thrust power of 5,385 kg. , 8,120 kg. with after-burners. WEIGHT: unloaded -13 ,780 kg., max. loaded weight - 20,030 kg. MAX. SPEED: 2.27 mach - RF-4E(S)-2.7 mach CRUISING SPEED: 508 knots . CLIMBING RATE : 30,000 ft./min . MAX. ALTITUDE: 58,750ft. - RF-4E(S)-78,000ft. RANGE: 2,590 km. WING SPAN: 11.68 m. LENGTH: 18.20 m. HEIGHT: 5 m. WING SURFACE: 49.24 sq. m.
Phantom No. 693 from the "ONE" sqd. in the early days.
The Phantom (Kurnass) in service with I.A.F. The first flight offour Phantoms was delivered to IAF. on Friday, September 5th . 1969. It was after long and exhausting negotiations with the U.S. administration ; they started in 1965 and ended three years later, when president Lyndon Baines Johnson approved the sale of44 F-4E's and four RF-4E's to Israel . Major Shmuel Hetz was nominated sqd . leader of the new "ONE" sqd ., and Major Avihu BenNun sqd . leader of the "HAMMERS" sqd ., witch was to be "reopened " in November same year. The operation of transfer to Israel and integration into the I.A.F. of the Phantoms was codenamed "PEACE-ECHO" and the aircraft was code-named "KURNASS ", witch in Hebrew means sledge-hammer; the task was completed in one year, about four alc per month .
.... Operation "Peace-Echo"
The IIONEII Squadron
Was founded in September 1969, when the first Phantoms arrived in Israel . For the first time in IAF history, a young and promising pilot, Major Shmuel Hetz, was ap· pointed squadron commander (he lost his life in action not long after) . On November 17, the first IAF Phantom No. 604 of this squadron and one of the first to arrive in Israel - crashed in it's way to a mission in Jordan; the pilot Ehud Hankin with his navigator Lt . Shaul Levy (they lost their lives - as a team - during the October 1973 war) received the order to eject, after the aircraft started to lose altitude and the throttles stuck, they bailed-out and were rescued . In the present the squadron flies Kurnass 2000 .
F-4E Phantom II
Ku rn ass 2000
... F-4E Phantom No. 125 from the "ONE" sqd. is displayed during the Independence Day 1979 . ... RF-4E Phantom No. 497 from the "ONE" sqd . just after landing .
... F-4E Phantom No. 575 from the "ONE" sqd . over the central area of Israel.
The
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IIHammers Squadron
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Was founded in July 1948 with 3 B-17 and was phased-out for the first time in March 1954, then opened again on May 1956 and phased -out again on the end of 1956. It was reinstated after the first Phantoms arrived in Israel in November 1969. The "Hammers " too was to break the IAF tradition and again a "youngster " was appointed as squadron leader: It was Major Avihou Ben-Nun , who continued to "climb the ladder" and between 1987 and 1992 was the commanding General of the IAF. On November 11 , 1969 the first shot-down by an IAF Phantom was celebrated . It was a Mig-21 over the "Texas" range in the north of the Suez gulf. The Phantom was manned by Cpt. Ehud Hankin and his navigator Major Eyal Achikar. The blue circle in the back of the squadron insignia as well as the yellow/black tail col ors were added to the a/c in 1981 . The "Hammers" was phased -out again on February 1994, but reinstated recently, with the arrival of the F-151.
F-4E Phantom II
RF-4E ( late nose)
F-4E in th e USAF scheme ( 1973 -mid. I 980)
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'f' Two Phantoms from the "HAMMERS" sqd . in parking line await their pilots.
'f' One of the first Phantoms from the "HAMMERS" sqd. now in the I.A.F. museum.
F-4E No. 207
from the "HAMMERS" sqd . · ~.Ziii~1 carrying an "Gabriel" Ii training missile on its way to a training exercise. 'f'
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The IIBaf Squadron l
Was founded in 1953 , flying Mosquitos. After the attrition war at the end of 1970, it replaced the Mirage with the Phantom , becoming the third Phantom squadron , including the newly arrived RF-4E (short-nose) . At the present time it flies Kurnass 2000 as we ll as RF-4E .
F-4 E Phantom II
F-.J E( .)
RF-4E (early nose)
K lI n1as> 2000
F-4E ill the USA F schem e ( 1973 -m id. 1980)
T "Kurnass 2000" No. 506 from the "BAT" sqd,
T RF-4E No, 488 from th e "BAT" sqd, in action,
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JJ.. A neatly parked row of "Kurnass 2000" from the "BAT" sqd .
T Three F-4Es from the "BAT" sqd. fly in formation during an exercise.
The nKnights of the orange tail n Squadron Was founded in January 1953 as an OTU, flying Spitfires. A short time before the October 1973 war it was equipped with Phantoms as the fourth Phantom squadron , and Lieutenant Colonel Iftach Spektor was appointed as the squadron leader. Today it still flies Kurnass 2000.
F-4E Phantom II
F-4E Phantom II
... F - 4E No. 101 from the "KNIGHTS " sqd. during take-off.
... F-4E No. 106 from the "KNIGHTS" sqd . carried to its shelter. .... F-4E No. 207 from the "KNIGHTS " sqd .
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ClIo•• up of MKG .....gaIded trIk1tnlllrllnllri""O_ _~ IoIdad on • Kum•• 2000
... Nose close - up of RF-4E No 493 In air - superiority camouflage
-"Late - nose" RF - 4E No. 493 from th e "BAT" sqd . in
hI over the
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A Six F-4Es during an air-show.
... Three Phantoms following a Super - Mistere (Sa'ar) during an air - show.
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The IIScorpionll Squadron Was founded in August 1950 as an OTU, flying Spitfires. It was to be the fifth Phantom squadron in March 1975. In 1991 it converted to F-16C.
F-4E Phantom II
T A beautiful closeup of the tail of F-4E No. 204 & the nose of 203 from the "SCORPION" sqd .
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F - 4E No. 201 • & No. 250 • from the "SCORPION" sqd. during take-off.
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The Phantom (Kurnass) in the "ATTRITION" war. The Phantoms were integrated into the I.A.F. during the "ATTRITION" war, so not much time could be allocated to training. The first mission was ordered on October 9th , 1969, from the operation room of the "ONE" sqd. , two Phantoms took-off on patrol over the Sharm-a-Sheik area. On October 22th , another twosome of the "One" sqd . flew over Abu-Suir, to destroy a battery of SA-2 , which they did . On November, 4th , the decision was taken to demonstrate I.A.F.'s capability to reach any place in Egypt at any time ; Major Shmuel Hetz with Lt. David Yair as navigator led the flight and Major Avihu Ben-Nun with Major Eyal Ahikar were number 2; They produced several supersonic booms over Cairo, leaving behind them a lot of broken windows. As well as a stunned Egyptian anti-alc defense system . On November 11th, the first shot-down by an I.A.F. Phantom is logged ; It happened over the "TEXAS" area, in the north of the Suez gulf. The leader was Cpt. Yoram Agmon with Major Menachem Eyni as navigator and NQ 2 was flown by Cpt. Ehud Hankin with Major Eyal Ahikar.(The leader from the "ONE" sqd . and NQ2 from the "HAMMERS"). Two Mig-21 engaged , NQ 2 (A/C NQ608) takes the tail of one Mig and one missile does the job. The other Mig understood it was not a garden-party and walked-out. On Nov. 17th, the first Phantom (NQ604) hits the ground . Cpt. Ehud Hankin with Lt. Shaul Levy were on a mission to destroy a radar station in Jordan. Cpt. Hankin is aware of losing speed and altitude and that the throttles are stuck; by order from the Sqd. Ldr. they bail-out. The Phantom is lost but the crew is rescued by an I.A. F. helicopter. During three days at the end of November I.A.F. Phantoms and Skyhawks hit SA-2 batteries in Ajrood , Wadi-Hetza, Abu-Sweer, Jeniffa and Faid , as well as the radar on Jabel Atka. After these successful raids the Egyptians refrain from advancing anti-alc batteries to the Suez-canal. On January, 7th . 1970 I.A.F. started a series of missions named "Pricha" (Blossom) . Blossom 1 A couple of Phantoms from the "ONE" sqd . strike the missile school at Dahashur, near Hilwan , and two Phantoms from the "HAMMERS" sqd . strike the Yinshoam head-quarters, near Cairo. Blossom2 Jan. 13th. Two Phantoms from the "ONE" sqd . strike the fitness-camp of the Egyptian A.F. at EI-Hanha. Blossom 3 Jan. 18th. Two Phantoms from the "ONE" sqd . raids the ammunition factory at Jebel-Hof, north of Hilwan . Blossom 4 Jan. 23th. The "ONE" sqd . envoys two F4-E's to "visit" the training camp at Catsef, near the Cairo airport. Blossom 5 Jan. 28th. Envoys of the "HAMMERS" sqd . strike camps near Cairo and Hilwan ; SA-2 missiles try to intervene, but miss their targets. On the same date, a Syrian Mig-21 flies over Haifa and as a total surprise, shatters some windowpanes . Next day, the "HAMMERS" execute several supersonic double-booms over Damascus , Latakia, Haleb, Homs and Hama, in Syria. Blossom 6 Feb.2th. Two "SLEDGE-HAMMERS"fromthe "ONE" sqd . attack the camp at Mukbid in upper-Egypt.
Blossom 7 Feb. 6th. The "ONE" sqd. dispatches again a couple of Phantoms to the camps at Gandala. Blossom 8· Feb. 8th. Two Phantoms from the "ONE" sqd. attack military supply depots north of Hilwan and two Phantoms from the "HAMMERS" sqd. attack in the Inshass region. After accomplishing the mission, two Mig-21 try to sit on their tails, they pull upwards and the Migs are in front of them . NQ2piloted by Lt. Aviam Sela with Shabtay Ben-Sho'a as his navigator, fires two missiles which miss, but lifting the nose, a volley of cannon bullets does the job and the Mig explodes, his partner leaves in a hurry. Blossom 9 Feb. 12th. Aircraft from the "ONE" sqd . strife SA-2 batteries and radar installations ; Because of a computer failure , one of the Phantoms bombs a civilian factory at Abu-Zabel in the Delta; Tens of workers are killed and about one hundred injured ; The Israeli defense secretary immediately conveys to the Egyptians - through the Red Cross - that a 400kg . delay bomb is ticking in the factory. Blossom 10 Feb. 17th. Envoys of the "ONE" sqd . attack SA-2 and radar sites. Eleven more attacks are executed in the course of the "Blossom" operation. The last one was flown on April 13th. The Phantoms had a total of 45 sorties to the heartland of Egypt and bombed a total of 30 differenttargets. On April 25th. two Ilyushin 28 penetrate the Israeli air-space and both are promptly shut down, one of them by a Sparrow missile fired by Shmuel Hetz, the sqd . Idr. ofthe "ONE". On May 16th., six Phantoms from the "ONE" sqd . and six from the "HAMMERS" sqd . set-out to Egyptto sink a destroyer and a torpedo boat in Ras-Bannas port,Red -sea. The "HAMMERS" sank the torpedo and the Phantoms from the "ONE" took-on the destroyer, It was a retaliation mission. On June 30th. Phantoms from both squadrons take-off to destroy SA-2 and SA-3 missiles sites in the south . One of the "HAMMERS" is hit, Roni Harpaz and his navigator Eyal Ahikar bail-out over enemy territory and are taken prisoners. The same happens to a Phantom from the "ONE" with an exception : the pilot, Itzhack Pir is declared P.O.w. but his navigator David Yair succeeded to hide and , in an extraordinary mission, a CH-53 helicopter brings him home. On the 5th. of July, during another mission of the "HAMMERS" an additional Phantom was downed and Amos Zamir together with his navigator Amos Levitov are being taken prisoners. On the 18th. of July, two foursomes from the "ONE" and two from the "HAMMERS", are being sent to massively attack missiles sites in the south . To their surprise, some of the dug-ins are found empty whilst volleys of missiles are being launched from sites not marked on their maps. The Phantoms flown by "ONE" sqd. Idr. Shmuel Hetz is hit; he bails-out his injured navigator Eyini , who reaches the ground and is taken prisoner; this was Hetz's last deed in life. It was a great loss forthe I.A.F. and the nation. Hewas replaced by Ran Ronen -Pecker. The Phantom piloted by Avihu Ben-Nun and his navigator Shaul Levy is also damaged , but they succeed to reach the Refidim base. The heavy-landing on the strip was somewhat over-shot, the brakes did not respond as they should and the nose landing gear is broken as the alc stops in the sands. On the 30th . of July Aviho Ben-Nun with Shaul Levy and Aviam Sela with Reuven Reshef, in a wellplanned dog-fight over "Texas", downs each one Mig-21 . This time the Migs were not flown by the Egyptians, but by Soviet pilots. They hoped to have a showdown with the IAF. pilots, but did not. After this dog-fight, in which three additional Mig-21 were shot down by Mirage fighters , the Egyptians understood whaf the best way to get out of it was and started to pressure the Americans for a cease-fire.
On Aug. 3th . a last effort was made to silence the anti alc missiles sites . The "ONE" lost in this mission a Phantom and it's crew - Yigal Shochat and Moshe Gold-was declared P.O.w. ; two days later Moshe Gold dies in captivity. Another Phantom from the "ONE" is hit, the pilot Raanan Neeman is injured and losses several fingers of his left hand , but somehow succeeds to bring the alc over the Refidim base. The navigator Yoram Ronen decides to take-over for the heavylanding and preforms itwell , both crew members were awarded the "Exemplary medal". On Aug . 8th. the cease-fire agreement was signed and the one thousand days war of attrition was over!
.... F-4E No. 183 from the "BAT" sqd. with two kills inside its protective shelter.
RF-4E(S) No. 499 from the "BAT" sqd. inside its protective shelter. T
The Phantom (Kurnass) between wars. The results and conclusions of the attrition war pointed sharply to the I.A.F the danger of the ground-to-air missiles. These were new, small and able missiles, furnished by the Soviets to Egypt and later to Syria too. This situation requested new and more sophisticated countermeasures which, however, were only in the research and development stage in Israel and other countries. I.A.F received recently from U.S.A. the novel AGM -45A SHRIKE missiles butthey were not very effective. In late September 1971 , the Egyptian shot-down an I.A.F. Stratocruiser with SA-2 missiles. The strato was on a RF mission over the Sinai peninsula and out of a crew of 8, only the flight-engineer was saved . Phantoms and Skyhawks retaliated . They used the new SHRIKE missiles and the mission was to destroy the Egyptian missiles system on the east-bank of the Suez canal. It was a densely equipped system over a length of 150 km. and a width of 20 km . The aircraft launched their missiles from a distance of about 10 km .; The hits were few and the results disappointing. It was later understood that the Egyptians expected such a strike, shut-off much of the system and also used newly acquired electronic devices. The I.A.F decided to intensify the RF missions. RF-4E (and other a/c) were used to spot and map as many as possible unknown batteries, from as many as possible angles. The crews did "overtime" on these missions . During one of these sorties, in October 1971 , an SA-7 STRELLA missile penetrated into one engine of an RF-4E but did not explode. During the summer of 1972 another RF objective was targeted at the headquarters of I.A.F : The newly installed anti-aircraft missiles systems which actually encircled the Golan heights . It was a very dangerous mission , necessiting quite a lot of training . Two Phantoms took-off: Fektori was to be the leader, but during take-off, a failure in the navigation equipment made him decide to pass-over the leadership to Aviam Sella. They did it with handsigns because of radio-silence.' Starting from mount Hermon towards Damascus, they penetrated the Syrian territory at a very low altitude and with full afterburners, at a speed of 600 knots, they photographed for 20 minutes the whole antiaircraft missiles system . The Syrians did not interfere at all with their work. Those photo's were invaluable intelligence assets for deciphering the capabilities of the new missiles systems . In July 1972 missiles were fired on a couple of Phantoms flying a reconnaissance mission over the Suez canal zone; The missiles missed the target. On September 8, 1972, the eve of the Jewish new-year, Phantoms attacked and destroyed terrorist positions in Lebanon and Syria. On November 9, 1972 Phantoms attacked and destroyed missiles installations at Sheik-Haskin, Syria; and on the 21th., Phantoms (and others) attacked positions in Syria; The Syrians responded with STRELLA missiles and Mig-21 interceptors ; Six Migs were destroyed in dog-fights (2 of them by Phantoms). On January 8, 1973 Phantoms attacked again terrorist bases, depots, local h.q. and other installation in Syria and Lebanon. On February 12th. RF and intelligence alc were on a mission south of the Suez canal. Four Phantoms flew in escort. Migs tried to engage in battle, but after only one of them was shut-down, the others left the skies for more convenient shelters. On Aug. 3th . a last effort was made to silence the anti alc missiles sites . The "ONE" lost in this mission Phantom and it's crew - Yigal Shochat and Moshe Gold-was declared P.O.w. two days later Moshe Gold dies in captivity. Another Phantom from the "ONE" is hit, the pilot Raanan Neeman is
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injured and looses several fingers of his left hand , but somehow succeeds to bring the alc over the Refidim base. The navigator Yoram Ronen decides to take-over for the heavy-landing and pre· forms it well ; both crew members were awarded the "Exemplary medal". On Aug . 8th . the cease-fire agreement was signed and the one thousand days war of attrition was over!
.., The haevy-Ianding of Avihu Ben-Nun & Shaul Levy (page 19) .
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:-; .., The F-4E Rpdar.
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.., The "Kurnass 2000" Radar..
The Phantom (Kurnass) in the "Yom Kippur" war.
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On October 6th , 1973 at 14:00, the armed forces of Egypt and Syria attacked and invaded Israel from the south , in the Suez canal area and from the north , on the Golan heights. At that time there were four operational Phantom squadrons in the I.A.F. : The "ONE", the "HAMMERS", the "BAT" and the "KNIGHTS OF THE ORANGE TAIL" and commanded between them about 130 F-4E's and RF-4E's. October, 6th.: at noon the Ophir air-base at Sharm-a-sheik was attacked by about 20 Egyptian Suhois and Migs which succeed to hit the main airstrip; two Phantoms from the "KNIGHTS OF THE ORANGE TAIL" , which were in an alert stand-by condition, take-off from the secondary airstrip and promptly engage the bogies . Cpt. Amir Nahumi destroys, in a matter of minutes, four Migs and his wingman , Lt. D. S., does the same to three other Migs. The remaining bogies leave in a hurry. In the afternoon, two Phantoms from the same sqd . charge a formation of about thirty MI-6 and MI-8 helicopters. The helicopters transported Egyptian commando troops towards main crossroads in the Ras-Sudar area, hoping to gain tactical control over troops and logistic Israeli traffic. In about 15 minutes, Maj. Shlomo Egozi destroys , in every possible way, 5 of them , one of them with the force of the jet stream of his Phantom. His wingman fells another one . The remaining ones are.destroyed byflak. By night, one Phantom of the "BAT" sqd . is hit, Cpt. Issaschar Naveh and his navigator Lt. David Silberman die in the crash , during bridges attacks near Ismaelia. During the same night, the "BAT" sqd. Idr. Elazar Prigattakes-offfor an assistance mission to the Navy: He had to sink an Egyptian missile-boat, about 40km . north of EI -Arish . Skyhawks had to make the boat visible with flares. Prigat misses the target several times and the Skyhawks, considering their mission accomplished , leave the scene. Prigat, with one single bomb left, dives once more and the boat sinks in minutes . During the first day of battle, the Phantoms strike 01) all fronts , mainly in ground-support missions. October, 7th.: the second day of battle in the early morning , Phantoms and Skyhawks strike seven Egyptian air-bases and succeed to make the Egyptians concentrate on the defense of their aircraft and air-bases . About noon , 60 Phantoms from all the squadrons take-off to attack the Syrian missiles positions. The results of this mission were more than disappointing : as it happened, the crews were given old maps and they unloaded their deadly cargo on empty positions. It was too late to seethe obvious : The Syrians made good use of their anti-a\c batteries' mobility during the night and now they shot at the Phantoms , from a distance , undisturbed . Lt. col. Ehud Hankin and his navigator, Cpt. Shaul Levy from the "HAMMERS" are hit at low altitude and are killed in the crash. Two Phantoms from the "BAT" sqd. are hit, one crew succeeds to land at their base, the other bails-out and becomes P.O.w. Seven Phantoms from the "ONE" sqd . are hit, three crews bail-out and fall into the hands of the Syrians; one crew succeeds to manoeuver their alc into Israeli territory, land near Safad and are rescued by a helicopter; The fourth has it's navigator bail -out by a direct hit and he lands on enemy ground , but the pilot, Major Gad Smoch brings the alc back home; The other two alc land safely at base. The same day, Cpt. Zeev Raz and his navigator, from the "HAMMERS", on patrol duty in the mount Hermon area, engage a Mig , and after a short dog-fight shot him down. Most of the October 8th , daylight time the Phantom sqds . strike at Syrian military air-strips and at missiles sites around Port-Said in Egypt.
At dusk and into the nightthey attack the two Egyptian armies in the Suez canal area. Two Phantoms belonging to the "HAMMERS" are hit by ground fire: Cpt. Zvulun Amitzi and Cap. Zeev Yogev lose their lives; The second crew, Maj. M. D. and Cpt. Shabtai Ben-Shu'a, eject at low altitude and Cpt. Ben-Shu'a is wounded ; However, they cross by foot the area in the midst of the Egyptian third army, reach Israeli ground and are picked-up by an I.A.F. helicopter. During the same mission the "ONE" lost a Phantom and it's crew, Maj. Uri Shani and Lt. Dror Jaffe are killed in the crash . October, 9th.: Eight Phantoms from each sqds. "BAT", "ORANGE TAIL" and "HAMMERS" take-off at 20 minutes intervals to storm the Syrian air-force and general staff head- quarters, in the heart of Damascus . The first flight of eight Phantoms reaches the target, but heavy clouds - formations make them consider to abandon the mission ; However, just at the right moment, the leader finds a hole in the dense blanket and the targets are precisely and effectively hit. Whilst climbing out of the dive the Syrians opened fire , and the hell of missiles touched two Phantoms : Cpt. Dov Shapir is killed and his navigator is captured by the Syrians; The second crew made it safely home. The second flight of eight, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Iphtach Spektor, sqd . leader of the "ORANGE TAIL", receives orders to change mission and are directed to the Golan heights, where a Syrian armored column advanced. The "HAMMERS" eightsome formation changes direction too: another Syrian concentration of armored vehicles near Tel- Phares. Two Phantoms from the "HAMMERS" attacked a radar station in G'abel - Baruch , Lebanon, and destroy it. Four other Phantoms attack and destroy the electric power station in EI- Hami , north to Damascus. October, 10th.: Four Phantoms from the "HAMM ERS" attack before noon fuel- depots at HumasSyria, the leader is Lt. Col. Avihu Ben-Nun. Six Phantoms from the "ON E" attack in the same time electric power stations and fuel-depots in Ktina-Syria. 16 Phantoms from the "BAT" attack Mina-el-Bida harbor in Syria. October, 11 th.: Seven "BAT" Phantoms with Lt. Col. Prigat the sqd. leader as the leader, attack the air base Blii in Syria. Maj. Asher Snir, the second leader, is hit by a missile but succeeds to land his a/c at home. Other Phantoms from the "BAT" attack all day missiles batteries in Ramat - Hagolan. In the same morning eight Phantoms from the "ON E" sqd. under the lead of Maj. Ron Huldai attack the Bnha bridge 30 km . from Cairo. In the way back they engage with 16 Egyptian Migs, two Phantoms are hit, the crew Haun/Arad are Egyptian P.O.w. and Cpt. Yonatan Ofir and his navigator Cpt. Eran Cohen are killed by the Egyptians . At noon, four "HAMMERS" strike fuel-depots at Han-Ayesh in Syria; on their way back, over "Fatah-Iand" in southern Lebanon , a missile hits one of the a/c and the crew Arad/ Primor falls in the hands ofthe Lebanese. October, 12th.: The "BAT" strike atthe Syrian air-force operation-room in Babilla'a and the "ONE" churns the Damascus airport. October, 13-16: Every morning the Phantoms storm Egyptian airfields, among them the one at Tanta'a, where Libyan Mirage-V were based. October, 14th.: An I.A.F. Nesher from the "Guardians of the Desert" sqc;l. unhappily fells a Phantom from the "ORANGE TAIL" sqd. in the skies of northern Sinai; The crew bails-out and into the sea. An Egyptian helicopter tries to capture them but the Nesher chase it out ofthe scene and continue to keep watch until an Israeli CH-53 rescues them . October, 15th.: A large Phantom formation successfully bombs the Syrian fuel depot in Tartut and returning to base, one of the Phantoms destroys a Mig 21 who tried to interceptthem. October, 16th.: The "BAT's" attack again the Tanta'a airfield in Egypt. One Phantom is lost, the crew bails-out and are taken prisoners by the Egyptian . Cpt. Livneh survived , but his navigator, Lt. Rahamim Sofer dies of his wounds in captivity.
October, 17th.: The Phantoms incessantly attack the missiles installations around Port-Said . A "ONE" Phantom explodes in mid-air but the bodies of Maj . Gad Smoch and Cpt. Baruch Golan were never found . They have been declared "missing in action". Two other Phantoms are hit; One crew abandons and falls in captivity, the other lands safely. October, 18th.: The effort to paralyze the missiles installations on both the Egyptian and the Syrian theaters of operations continues. One Phantom is downed and the crew is interned. At the end ofthe day the anti-a/c missiles menace is obliterated - at least temporarily. Most SA-2 and SA-3 batteries are destroyed - on both fronts . October, 21 st.: One Phantom from "ONE" is hit over mount Hermon, the pilot, Yitamar Barne'a is taken prisoner by the Syrians but his navigator, Cpt. Gil Cohen is killed in the crash . October, 22nd: A cease-fire is agreed upon but at midnight the Egyptian violate the agreement. October, 23nd.: Phantoms from the "ORANGE TAIL" set out to destroy the Syrian underground fuel-depots at Han-Ayish . Un umbrella of 4 Mirages escorts them from above; during the attack the Syrians delegate 20 Mig- 21 to free their skies of the nasty invader; not so easy: the Mirages destroy five Migs, the Phantoms only four, the other Migs obligingly back-out. The same fuel -depots are stricken again by "ONE" a/c . During the night, the security council of the U.N. imposes a cease-fire to start next morning at 07:00. It is now quiet on both fronts exceptfor continuing fighting with the Egyptian third army. On October 26nd , this horrible war is over. The 1.A.F.lost 27 Phantoms.
After the war.
In November 1973, two pairs of Phantoms, on patrol duty overthe Suez canal , are being alerted by ground radar, because of two pairs of Migs caught on the screens. The Phantoms peel-off and during the encounter remark a different approach of the Mig pilots, not the usual Egyptian style. However, they destroy one Mig and to their surprise the Egyptian ground-fire knocks down another one. It was later understood that these were north-Korean pilots who came to help the Egyptian air - force . During this period , Phantoms from all squadrons also bombed Syrian fortification and terrorist positions in southern Lebanon. This area is also known as "Fatah-Iand". On March 14th. 1978, the "Littany operation" was launched . Phantoms had an intense seven days activity striking terrorist 130mm cannon positions, armored vehicles and tanks concentrations entrenchments on the Beaufort hill , naval facilities , ships and boats at the sea - port of EI Auzay. On May 28th . 1980, Phantoms destroy an SA-9 missile battery mounted on an armored vehicle in Lebanon . During the month of July, 1980, during 10 days and nights , Phantoms and other a/c attack positions and command - posts in Lebanon. On October 22nd. Phantoms destroy a majorfat'!-h field H.Q. in Eyn - Dorfill . On December 22nd ., Phantoms, with the assistance of an F-15 , destroys aSyrian Mig - 21 .
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The "Peace for Galilee" war.
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The "Peace for the Galilee" war officially started on June 5th , 1982. The previous night eight Phantoms from the "Knights" sqd . bombed the Beyrouth sports stadium, where, under the angled hollow spaces ofthe concrete tribunes, the Fatah terrorist group stocked enormous quantities of war material. On the 6th. of June the I.A.F started a massive offensive against all Fatah depots, training camps, command posts and other positions . After delivering his bombs on schedule, on his way back home, the pilot of one of the Phantoms perceived and identified a SA-6 missiles battery roving in the Beka's valley, he decided to strike with the only remaining weapon on board , the cannon. It was a fatal encounter for the SA-6. The Phantom crew received a bravery quotation . On June 9th ., a formation of two Phantoms and two F-15 engaged in a dog-fight with Syrian Mig21 s. One of the Migs went down in flames with a rocket fired by a Phantom piloted by Ben-Amy Perry, and his navigator "A". On June 11th ., the cease-fire was to be effective; However, on July 24th ., a Phantom was downed , during a mission over an anti - alc missile position in Lebanon; The pilot, Gil Poraz bailsout and is taken PO.w. butthe navigator, Maj. Aharon Katz is killed inthe crash. On October 18th., 1986 during a strike on terrorist positions near Sidon, a faulty detonator explodes the bomb just upon being released from the Phantom. The crew bail- out; the pilot is rescued by a Cobra in a daring expedition , butthe navigator, Ron Arad , is captured by terrorist organizations.
EPILOGUE All the air-crews fallen into captivity of the Syrians and of the Egyptian , either alive, dead or dead in PO.w. camps, were returned to Israel in the course of intricate negotiations for PO.w. exchanges . The only exception is the navigator Ron Arad who is believed to be alive and in the hands of the Iranians.
"Super Phantom" prototype No. 229
in the IA F. museum
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The "Kurnass 2000" After 20 years of distinguished service with the IAF. The Phantom was found fit to stay active, for at least 15 years more, with asound plan for upgrading , of course . The I.A.F. started the "Kurnass 2000" project which resulted in an envelope for the new - old aircraft. Concomitantly, the Israel Aircraft Industries LTD. started a project named "Super Phantom" which was proposed to the I.A.F. The main improvement was the replacement of the J - 79 engines with the Pratt and Whitney PW - 1120. Phantom No. 334 took - off in July 1986, as a test - bed , with one PW - 1120 engine. In April 1987 it took - off again , this time with 2 PW - 1120 engines . It was a success and I.A.I. sent itto Le Bourget, where the idea aroused a remarkable international interest. However, the I.A.F. decided forthe "Kurnass 2000", for economical reasons and the I.A.I. project was shelved . The up - grading ofthe first aircraft was completed in 1987 and it rolled - out as prototype 001. It included structural improvements, additional avionics devices, as well as communications system up - dating , such as: replacement of the electrical wiring - net; replacement of the hydraulic conduit network; replacement of wing and fuselage fuel tanks; installation of additional bulkheads; replacement ofthe navigational system , including TCAM , with advanced equipments ; replacement of instruments, display screens, indicators etc. with state - of - the - art devices, as for example , the introduction of the wide - angle Kaiser viewing screen and of an advanced weaponry computer. The first prototype took - off for a demonstration flight on July 15th., 1987, and was delivered to I.A.F. on August 11th., for their own test program ; and soon after, the second prototype, for the same purpose. The I.A.F. concluded the program , approved the configuration and the contract with I.A.I. was signed . Thefirst production batch of "Kurnass 2000"was delivered to "ONE" sqd . in April 1989. In the present "ONE" and "BAT" sqds . are equipped with "Kurnass 2000" and RF-4E alc. The "KNIGHTS OF THE ORANGE TAIL" sqd . is equipped with the old Phantoms and "Kurnass 2000" NC , but will soon exchange them with different alc.
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"Kurnass 2000" prototype 001 with the I.A.F. flight test center --=-~~!iIi;j insignia. -=~'1
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Camouflage The basic scheme for Israeli F-4Es and Kurnass 2000 was applied according to a single pattern (see the profiles) , and were remarkably uniform when the a/c was deliverd to I.A.F. However, over time, the colors have remaind the same and the patterns look alike at quick glance , now no two ajc patterns are the same. Check your references carefully for the a/c you are modelling!!!
FS - 33531
FS - 34227
FS - 30219
FS - 35622
A/C delivered from the USAF arrived in standard USAF SEA camouflage . These ajc remained in this scheme until the mid - 1980s, when they were repainted in standard I.A.F. colors
FS - 30219
FS - 34102
FS - 34079
FS - 36622
Some ofthe RF-4Es are in air - superiority camouflage scame . Check your references carfully if you are modelling these one .
FS - 36320
FS - 36375
Decals & Convertion kits The best decals sheets you can get for modelling these a/c are those from "Cutting Edge". For 1/72 scale sheet No. CED72004. For 1/48 scale sheet No. CED48004. For 1/32 scale sheet No. CED32001 . To order: Cutting Edge - PO. Box 3956 Merrifield , VA 22116 U.S.A. Meteor Productions - Tel. 001 -703-591.0652 Fax. 001-703-591 .3996
[email protected] For modelling RF-4E(S) ajc there is a beautiful converting kit produced by Paragon Design . For 1/72 scale set No. PDU72039 & for 1/48 scale set No. PDU48089. You can order them from Mereor Production .
Recommended Kits 1/72 scale - Hasegawa or Fujimi . 1/48 scale - Hasegawa. 1/32 scale (RF-4E )- Revell.
... F-4E Phantom from the "ONE" sqd. ready for its duty inside its protective shelter.
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Typical F-4E Phantom armament.
Nr. 2 - The A4 Skyhawk Nr. 3- From Mirage to Kfir
The IAF Aircraft Series
A.Dor
No.1
