The IAF Aircraft Series

by A. Dor

N~
o. 1 ,

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

IIHammers
Squadron

ll

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)

'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'

.......

"

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,

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 .

. -"'"'

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

A Six F-4Es during an

air-show.

... Three Phantoms following

a Super - Mistere (Sa'ar)
during an air - show.

1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

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 .

~""::="....-:

250 .

F - 4E No. 201 & No. 250 from the "SCORPION" sqd. during take-off.

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

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) .

..

:-;
.., The F-4E Rpdar.

.., The "Kurnass 2000" Radar..

The Phantom (Kurnass) in the "Yom Kippur" war.

1 . . 1

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 .

The "Peace for Galilee" war.

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

L . -_ _ __

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.

--------

"Kurnass 2000"
prototype 001
with the I.A.F.
flight test center
--=-~~!iIi;j insignia.
-=~'1

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
e-maiI.MeteorProd@aol.com
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.

Typical F-4E Phantom armament.

Nr. 2 - The A4 Skyhawk

Nr. 3- From Mirage to Kfir

The IAF Aircraft Series

A.Dor

No.1