RF-4E Phantom - Christmas Tags

The RF-4E Phantom was an improved variant of the RF-4C, the iconic reconnaissance aircraft of the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Developed for West Germany in response to Soviet rearmament in the late 1960s, it surpassed the RF-4C with its slatted wings and the upgraded J79-GE-17 engines. By the late 1970s, German RF-4Es received further modifications with enhanced avionics, enabling them to carry munitions for air- to-ground attack roles.

The RF-4E tags were released for Christmas 2024. To reflect the spirit of the season, they were cut from red and green panels taken from three different RF-4E aircraft all of which were discovered by FIGHTERTAGS at a scrapyard in 2017.

The red colored tags were cut from the inner wall of a photoflash door removed from ex-Luftwaffe RF-4E, s/n: 35+41. The door is unique to RF-4s for ejecting flash cartridges in night missions. Operated by AG 52 with German AF, the 35+41 was transferred to the Turkish AF in 1993 where it was renumbered as 69-7488 and repainted in SEA camouflage over its original Norm 83A scheme. It retired in the early 2010s after serving with 173. Filo at Erhaç Airbase.

The first set of green tags were cut from the “513R” panel of another ex-Luftwaffe RF-4E, s/n: 35+63. The 513R panel was an RF-4 specific panel located on the vertical stab. Operated by AG 51, the 35+63 was a special Phantom for being one of only two German AF RF-4Es wearing a shark mouth design on its nose during its active service. It was transferred to Turkish AF in 1993, where it was renumbered as 69- 7510 and repainted in SEA camouflage over its original Norm 83A scheme. The 7510 was retired in the early 2010s after serving with 173. Filo from Erhac Airbase.

Second set of tags were cut from a very unique 66L access panel removed from an unknown RF-4E. As the panel still retains its original German RAL 6003 Olivgrün finish and grey stencils from its Norm 83 camouflage from 1983, it is evident that the aircraft was another ex-Luftwaffe RF-4E. As the panel 66L was part of the fuselage walkway area, the panel has the unique rough surface created by blending aluminum oxide grit with the camouflage paint. Additionally, it was crafted from thick aluminum with a steel sheet to carry the weight of maintenance crews. All these qualities make this panel and the tags truly collectible items.