{"product_id":"corgi-aa33205-1-72-mcdonnell-douglas-f-4j-phantom-ii-us-navy-vx-4-vandy-1-black-bunny-nas-point-mugu-1969","title":"Corgi AA33205 1:72 McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II US Navy VX-4 Vandy 1 Black Bunny NAS Point Mugu 1969","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA visually striking and highly detailed 1:72 scale diecast representation of the United States Navy McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II known as “Vandy 1” or the “Black Bunny”.\u003c\/strong\u003e Released as part of the Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series, AA33205 depicts an aircraft operated by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four, VX-4, from Naval Air Station Point Mugu in California during 1969.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eVX-4 “Evaluators” was responsible for the operational testing and evaluation of aircraft, weapons systems and associated equipment for the United States Navy. The squadron operated several frontline naval aircraft and helped determine how new technology would perform under realistic service conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe unit's commanding officer aircraft carried the callsign “Vandy 1” and became famous for its dramatic overall black colour scheme. The prominent white rabbit emblem applied to the tail resulted in the aircraft becoming widely known among aviation enthusiasts as the “Black Bunny”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe model recreates the aircraft's gloss-black finish with contrasting white United States Navy markings, national insignia and aircraft number 3783. Fine blue and white trim runs along the fuselage and wing surfaces, while the large tail emblem makes this one of the most instantly recognisable Phantom schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped as a fleet defence fighter for the United States Navy, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II first flew in 1958. Its powerful twin engines, two-person cockpit and extensive weapons capacity allowed it to perform interception, air-superiority, strike and reconnaissance missions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-4J introduced improved radar, engines and avionics over earlier naval Phantom variants. It served extensively with the United States Navy and Marine Corps and became one of the defining carrier-based fighter aircraft of the Vietnam War era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis sizeable Corgi release is particularly appealing to collectors of United States Navy aviation, test and evaluation aircraft and unusual military colour schemes. The model features substantial diecast construction, separately positionable cockpit canopies, detailed crew positions, raised carrier-style wingtips, movable control surfaces, removable external stores and the original Corgi Aviation Archive presentation stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFact Sheet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Corgi\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aviation Archive Collector Series\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel code:\u003c\/strong\u003e AA33205\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTactical Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3783\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vandy 1 \/ Black Bunny\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Navy VX-4 “Evaluators”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRole:\u003c\/strong\u003e Operational test and evaluation aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheatre \/ Base:\u003c\/strong\u003e Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1969\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperator \/ Country:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Navy \/ United States\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:72\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Distinctive overall black finish, authentic VX-4 Evaluators markings, Vandy 1 identity, prominent white rabbit tail emblem, aircraft number 3783, detailed front and rear cockpits, separately positionable canopies, raised carrier-style wingtips, movable control surfaces, removable external stores and original presentation display stand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eModel Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10.5\" or 26.7 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.25\" or 15.9 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - Excellent (8\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModel is in excellent condition overall and comes complete.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe aircraft itself presents in mint condition, aside from the noted cockpit accessory issue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMain cockpit accessory has a snapped pin, which remains seated within the back of the cockpit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe main cockpit accessory still sits in place, but is looser than normal due to the snapped pin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox condition - Very Good (7\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBox is in very good condition for its age, with wear present to the edges and corners as shown in the images.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhotographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAny imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Corgi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57744570679678,"sku":null,"price":38.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/IMG_4975.jpg?v=1784918269","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/corgi-aa33205-1-72-mcdonnell-douglas-f-4j-phantom-ii-us-navy-vx-4-vandy-1-black-bunny-nas-point-mugu-1969","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}