Introduction

The F-4 Phantom is truly a classic jet fighter of the 60's, 70's and 80's. Flown by the U.S. Navy, Marines and Air Force, it also saw service in many foreign countries such as England, Germany, Isreal and Japan.
Affectionately dubbed "The Rhino", its rakish lines and twin J-79 afterburning engines provided Mach 2.5+ performance - unmatched for its day.
BVM reproduced this fighter enthusiast's favorite in an all composite airframe and equipped it with true-to-scale rugged landing gear system, large capacity fuel system and an efficient, cool running turbine engine installation.

The BVM Phantom is being enjoyed by numerous experienced scale jet modelers who have found that its airframe integrity and ruggedness has served them well for hundreds of flights.

The markings and nomenclature for each of these models (shown above) are available from Pro-Mark 618-524-2440.

Options

Most of the famous modelers have equipped their F-4's with the available options:

• Detailed Cockpit
• MGA Pilots
• Belly Tank (600 gal - BVM #9561)
• Wing Tanks - BVM #9562

The BVM Phantom has accumulated numerous scale contest awards including Top Gun, but it is primarily enjoyed by its owners at the jet fly-ins. It has a special sound and appearance in the sky that is a real spectator pleaser.

There are 27 primary airframe parts that are molded of epoxy glass, carbon fiber and Kevlar. All panel lines and other details are molded into the skin surfaces. Standard NAVY and USAF F-4C nose section shown on left. F-4E nose is mounted on fuse. Full size CAD drawings are specific to each version.

Internal structures that you install are accurately machined or laser cut to perfection.

Full size totally detail CAD drawings and a photo enhanced manual guides you through every step of construction, finishing, gearing up and flying.

The F-4 Phantom landing gear is true to scale in geometry and location in the model - features that are often missed in scale models. Its rugged construction has paid off for many F-4 drivers because they know they can execute carrier style landings without injuring the gear or the model. These main gear bolt directly to the two carbon fiber molded wing spars that are built into the composite wings.

The wide main gear stance of the F-4 makes it absolutely the best ground handling fighter in the business.

F-4 Turbine Installation Parts

Fiberglass inlet diverters and ducts direct the air into the Carbon Fiber Bypass system to feed and cool the engine. The hot gases then exit through the bifurcated Stainless Steel tailpipe and exit nozzles. This hot section is cooled by auxiliary air flow through the Carbon Fiber cooling shroud. All engine mounting hardware is included.

F-4
Cockpit Detail Kit

 

Flying the Phantom

An incredible feeling of power and fighter style maneuverability are characteristic features of operating a turbine powered BVM F-4.
The sound of twenty-seven pounds of roaring thrust from the turbine is enhanced even more with the bifurcated exhaust pipe - a unique resonance that most jet jockies really like. It's as close to the real thing as you can get.
The extra wide stance of the main wheels and dual nose wheels allows arrow straight take-off rolls when you punch the throttle to the "Go" position.
Barely 100ft of runway passes below the cockpit prior to rotation if you are operating "clean wing" - add 50-100ft more for carrying external fuel tanks and armament. Suck the gear up immediately and you are in for a model fighter pilot's dream flight.
With this much power, the climb angle can be severe, so just let it gain altitude and airspeed through the first turn before retracting the flaps. You can then reduce the throttle to about half power and pick up the flaps.
The C.G. and stabilizer positions shown on the plans proved once again to be perfect. Even with 6+ pounds of fuel on board in the early stages of the flight, the Phantom can execute huge vertical turn arounds, just advance the power lever and go for it.
Cruise power requires about 1/3rd to 1/2 throttle producing a comfortable airspeed of about 140-150mph and it conserves the gas.
The rakish lines of the F-4 create a unique, relatively easy to see jet. Adding the external stores, especially the wing tanks, increases the visibility probably 25% or more.
Jet fighters are longer than they are wide, so anything that you carry under the wings really adds to the visual image and orientation.
If your goal is to execute perfect axial rolls - go with the centerline tank or leave it clean wing. If you prefer just to cruise, ala a recon mission, then the wing tanks represent the best configuration.
We are living in great times; real turbine engines, gyro stabilization and even automatic power compensation (JetCat) make our model jets easier and safer to operate.
Bob Violett

Large Fuel Cell Transfer Tubes
Replace Brass with Stainless Steel
(4/20/06)

There has been one case where the brass tube that transfers fuel through a hole in the fuel cell baffle experienced a razor saw-like cut. The engine flamed out because the remaining fuel below the tube was unusable.
The most likely cause of the brass tubing failure was many miles of trailer transport of the model with the fuel cells empty.

The Fix

BVM now supplies Stainless Steel tubes with the large baffled fuel cells i.e., KingCat, F-100, F-4, Rafale, F-86 (80"). Retrofit parts are available. Ask for part #PSTU003 (quantity 2) price $5.00 for the pair mailed within the USA.
To be honest, we don't know how many travel miles the brass tubes will withstand. It could vary quite a bit. BVM is converting our factory demo models as time allows. Our prototype F-100D is 6 years old, has at least 300 flights and more trailer miles than we can count. We inspected the brass tubes and found minimum wear. We changed them to the Stainless Steel variety anyway.

Wing Pylon Mounting

• Locate drill locations per plans.
• Drill pilot holes with 1/8” bit. be sure to align drill vertically with respect to ground stance of model. (not surface of wing skin).
• Re-drill with 3/16 bit, then with 13/64” bit. (hole size is critical for proper installation of brass insert.)
• Install brass insert onto 4-40 socket head bolt. Slowly thread insert into hole. Maintain vertical alignment to avoid breaking maple block loose in wing.
• Remove bolt from insert, if insert does not release, place a drop of water into hole to swell maple block around insert. Wait 10 minutes, then try to remove bolt again. If needed, a drop of ZAP can be used to hold insert in position in block.