F-4D "Minnesota ANG" 65608 148th FIG Duluth IAP 1984 in 1:72 scale
This is the F-4D "Minnesota ANG" 65608, 148th FIG Duluth IAP 1984 in 1:72 scale by Hobby Master.
The F‑4D Phantom II serial number 65‑0608, flown by the Minnesota ANG’s 148th Fighter-Interceptor Group out of Duluth International Airport in the mid-1980s, holds a unique place in aviation history—first as a Vietnam-era air-defense workhorse and later as a stalwart sentinel of North American airspace alert status from 1983 to 1990. Distinguished by its distinctive early-1980s “European One” gray camouflage that later evolved into the streamlined Hill Gray II scheme, tail‑number 65608 represented one of the final F‑4Ds retained on high-alert status before the 148th transitioned to the F‑16. Its deployment in a demanding cold-weather, rapid-scramble environment around Duluth—where it was regularly ready within minutes—underscored its exceptional adaptability and enduring relevance in an era increasingly dominated by newer fighter jets.
Hobby Master has earned a reputation as one of the top-tier brands for die-cast aircraft due to its meticulous attention to detail, durable metal build, and rich historical accuracy. Collectors often praise their models for realistic panel lines, pad‑printed placards, functional features like removable canopies and landing gear, and authentic detachable ordnance—all hallmarks of their popular Air Power Series. Hobbyists consider Hobby Master “top‑notch,” ideal for collectors seeking museum‑grade realism and durable craftsmanship.
The F‑4D Phantom II serial number 65‑0608, flown by the Minnesota ANG’s 148th Fighter-Interceptor Group out of Duluth International Airport in the mid-1980s, holds a unique place in aviation history—first as a Vietnam-era air-defense workhorse and later as a stalwart sentinel of North American airspace alert status from 1983 to 1990. Distinguished by its distinctive early-1980s “European One” gray camouflage that later evolved into the streamlined Hill Gray II scheme, tail‑number 65608 represented one of the final F‑4Ds retained on high-alert status before the 148th transitioned to the F‑16. Its deployment in a demanding cold-weather, rapid-scramble environment around Duluth—where it was regularly ready within minutes—underscored its exceptional adaptability and enduring relevance in an era increasingly dominated by newer fighter jets.
Hobby Master has earned a reputation as one of the top-tier brands for die-cast aircraft due to its meticulous attention to detail, durable metal build, and rich historical accuracy. Collectors often praise their models for realistic panel lines, pad‑printed placards, functional features like removable canopies and landing gear, and authentic detachable ordnance—all hallmarks of their popular Air Power Series. Hobbyists consider Hobby Master “top‑notch,” ideal for collectors seeking museum‑grade realism and durable craftsmanship.
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