I watched a brief episode a strike from “Midway”; a Phantom last Mig kill in Vietnam. I am looking for the info on who was the pilot, what exact model of Phantom and possibly where if any are decals available for this aircraft …
I do not know abything about Phantoms and what is the best kit in 1/48 scale available ?
One of the pilots in the show was “TACO” Bell. I`m not sure if he was the last though…Harv
Greg:
Those that have built them pretty much all say Hasegawa is the king of the hill when it comes to Phantoms
Lou Drendel’s book, “…and Kill Migs”, 3rd edition, 1997, lists the last USAF Mig kill as 07 Jan 1973, Mig-21 by F-4D from 4 TFS/432 TFW, pilot Capt Paul D Howman, WSO 1Lt Lawrence W Kullman.
The last USN Mig kill was 3 of them on 12 Jan 1973.
F-4B # 153045, Lt Victor T Kovaleski & Ltjg James A Wise from VF-161, Modex NF-102, call sign Rock River, CVA-41, USS Midway, CVW-5 using an AIM-9 to down a Mig-17
F-4D #667709, Capt Doyle Baker, USMC (exchange duty to USAF) & 1 Lt John D Ryan Jr, 13 TFS, tail code OC, call sign Gambit 03, using an AIM-4D to down a Mig-17.
F-4E #670239, Capt Lawrence G Richard, USMC (exchange duty) & Lcdr Michael J Ettel, USN, 58 TFS, tail code ZF, call sign Dodge 01, using AIM-7 to down a Mig-21
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
Thanks Darwin !
this is the one they mentioned on Dogfight:
F-4B # 153045, Lt Victor T Kovaleski & Ltjg James A Wise from VF-161, Modex NF-102, call sign Rock River, CVA-41, USS Midway, CVW-5 using an AIM-9 to down a Mig-17
Thanks for help !!!
O/T but they were using B model Phantoms that late in the war?
The other guys were using Mig 17s in 1973?
B model Phantoms and Mig-17s in 1973??? Yes, to both. There were later, supposedly “better” aircraft available to both sides, but these two were still good performers. The Mig-21 was newer and faster, but the Mig-17 was much more maneuverable and those 3 cannons under the nose, (37mm & 2 X 20mm), were very lethal. The J model Phantom was newer than the B, but the B had not been totally phased out as yet.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
The two exchange pilot kills were not made on 12 Jan 73.
Baker/Ryan’s kill was on 17 Dec 67.
Richard/Ettel’s kill was on 12 Aug 72.
The dates are listed in the fine print of the exchange info of each listing in “And Kill Migs”.
Ooopps, I stand corrected. Sorry.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
How would a Mig-21 (and yes it’s a doubly stupid question because I don’t know a thing about the marks of Fishbed, but I am curious) and an F-4E compare, say if the pilots were equally skilled?
Mig-21 is more manueverable. F-4E has more weapons capabilities, especially radar guided missiles. Initial model and later model 21s had an internal gun or gun pod. If the Mig can get inside the F-4s standoff missiles then he has a good chance against the F-4. But the Mig-21 was not as survivable to battle damage of most any sort. Both are very strong is their respective design areas, and it takes the skill of the pilot to exploit his respective aircrafts advantage and maximize his opponents weaknesses. There are lots of variable in this fight pairing: GCI, AWACS, ROE, etc.