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Please note: This model is part of our Pre-Loved Collection and is graded Good (6/10) or below on our condition scale. The models will show signs of display use, wear or faults. Please check the Condition description and photos for a full breakdown before purchasing.

Franklin Mint Armour 98003 1:48 F-4J Phantom II USMC VMFA-232 Red Devils *ISSUES*

Sale price£55.00 GBP
Duties & Taxes Prepaid Where Available
30-Day Returns

Condition summary

Model condition
Spares/Repairs (4/10)
Box condition
Good (6/10)
  • Paint cracking across the white painted areas, especially around the nose.
Full condition notes

Model condition

  • Paint cracking across the white painted areas, especially around the nose.
  • Some marks and yellow paint transfer to the top of the model.
  • Wear to the topside of the fuselage.
  • Inner undercarriage door is missing.
  • One side part of a pylon is missing.
  • Missing piece on the underside of the nose.
  • Missiles are detached with visible residue around the missile/pylon areas.
  • The wheels are slightly misaligned.
  • Any images showing a red arrow marked “flaw” are highlighting the defects listed above.

Box condition

  • Box is in good condition overall but shows noticeable storage and edge wear.
  • Barcode label states model 98001 rather than 98003, so the box/model numbering does not fully correspond.
Estimated delivery United Kingdom

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Description

A magnificent, heavyweight 1:48 scale diecast masterpiece honoring the oldest and most decorated fighter squadron in the Marine Corps. This premium model by Franklin Mint under the Armour Collection (98003) replicates the iconic McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (Serial 155801) as flown by the US Marine Corps' Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232), famously known as the "Red Devils". Based out of MCAS Miramar, California, the highly decorated squadron deployed the versatile F-4 extensively during the Vietnam War, where it served as the principal air superiority fighter for the USAF, USN, and USMC before transitioning heavily into late-war ground-attack and aerial reconnaissance roles. The F-4 Phantom II platform continued to form a core pillar of US military air power throughout the 1970s and 1980s, remaining in service up through the 1991 Gulf War before completely leaving combat service in 1996.

Highly prized by collectors for its impressive physical presence, this large and heavy diecast model weighs approximately 1.2kg, presenting a commanding centerpiece for any advanced military gallery display. The airframe features exceptional structural accuracy, rendering the Phantom's signature swept-wing geometry and robust fuselage detailing in solid metal. Meticulously finished in its authentic US Marines operational grey livery, the model highlights crisp squadron stencils and the definitive "Red Devils" tail art. Complete with detailed engine intakes, under-wing fuel tanks, and an array of combat missile attachments, this museum-grade replica arrives packaged in its original collector box.


Fact Sheet

Brand: Franklin Mint / Armour Collection

Model code: 98003

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II

Serial/Tail Code: 155801

Unit: US Marine Corps VMFA-232 "The Red Devils" (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232)

Base Command: MCAS Miramar, California, USA

Scale: 1:48

Weight: 1.2 kg (approx.)

Material: Heavyweight Diecast Metal

Special Features: Heavyweight solid metal construction, authentic VMFA-232 Red Devils operational livery, crisp panel lines and squadron markings, detailed under-wing fuel tanks and missile ordnance attachments, original presentation box


Model Dimensions

Length: 14.5" or 37 cm

Wingspan: 10" or 25 cm

Condition

Model Condition - Spares/Repairs (4/10)

  • Paint cracking across the white painted areas, especially around the nose.
  • Some marks and yellow paint transfer to the top of the model.
  • Wear to the topside of the fuselage.
  • Inner undercarriage door is missing.
  • One side part of a pylon is missing.
  • Missing piece on the underside of the nose.
  • Missiles are detached with visible residue around the missile/pylon areas.
  • The wheels are slightly misaligned.
  • Any images showing a red arrow marked “flaw” are highlighting the defects listed above.

Box condition - Good (6/10)

  • Box is in good condition overall but shows noticeable storage and edge wear.
  • Barcode label states model 98001 rather than 98003, so the box/model numbering does not fully correspond.

Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.

Any 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.

Grading

Grading Criteria

Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.


Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.


Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.


Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.


Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.


Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.


Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.


Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.


If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.

For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.

Shipping

Dispatch & Tracking

Orders are dispatched on the next working day after they are placed. We do not dispatch orders on the same day.

If you would like us to hold your order for a later dispatch date, please add a note in the cart before proceeding to checkout, or contact us directly as soon as possible.

Once dispatched, you can follow your parcel on our 'Track Your Order' page.


UK Delivery

  • Tracked 48 — £4.20: Usually 2–3 working days. Available on orders under £100.

  • Tracked 24 — £5.20: Aims for the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £100 or more.

  • Parcelforce expressAM — £9.50: Guaranteed by 12 noon on the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £200 or more.


International Delivery

We ship worldwide from the UK using tracked services, with parcels insured up to the full order value.

  • Europe: Usually 3–5 business days after dispatch.

  • Rest of the world: Usually 6–7 business days after dispatch.

 

Add your models to the cart and enter your address to see available services and prices. Postage is combined by weight when you purchase multiple models.

If you place separate orders before they have been dispatched, we will combine them where they can be packed safely together and refund any excess postage paid. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can identify the orders.


Import Duties & Taxes

For supported destinations, duties and taxes are shown and collected at checkout. These orders are sent using a duty-paid service where available, so no further import duties or taxes should be due on delivery.

Duty-paid delivery is available where shown at checkout for the United States, Norway, Switzerland and selected European destinations. See our Shipping Policy for the full destination list.

If duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, your order is sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU). You may need to pay import charges or carrier handling fees before delivery.


We wrap each model box in bubble wrap and use paper void fill inside a sturdy, double-walled shipping box. We may reuse boxes and bubble wrap where suitable, while ensuring your order is protected during transit.

Returns

Returns

You can return an item within 30 days of delivery, provided it is in the same condition as when you received it.

Returns are free for UK customers. Customers outside the UK are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe each item carefully so you can buy with confidence.

We inspect returned items before issuing a refund. For full details, please see our Returns Policy.

To start a return, email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under About & Help in the top menu.

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Description

A magnificent, heavyweight 1:48 scale diecast masterpiece honoring the oldest and most decorated fighter squadron in the Marine Corps. This premium model by Franklin Mint under the Armour Collection (98003) replicates the iconic McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (Serial 155801) as flown by the US Marine Corps' Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232), famously known as the "Red Devils". Based out of MCAS Miramar, California, the highly decorated squadron deployed the versatile F-4 extensively during the Vietnam War, where it served as the principal air superiority fighter for the USAF, USN, and USMC before transitioning heavily into late-war ground-attack and aerial reconnaissance roles. The F-4 Phantom II platform continued to form a core pillar of US military air power throughout the 1970s and 1980s, remaining in service up through the 1991 Gulf War before completely leaving combat service in 1996.

Highly prized by collectors for its impressive physical presence, this large and heavy diecast model weighs approximately 1.2kg, presenting a commanding centerpiece for any advanced military gallery display. The airframe features exceptional structural accuracy, rendering the Phantom's signature swept-wing geometry and robust fuselage detailing in solid metal. Meticulously finished in its authentic US Marines operational grey livery, the model highlights crisp squadron stencils and the definitive "Red Devils" tail art. Complete with detailed engine intakes, under-wing fuel tanks, and an array of combat missile attachments, this museum-grade replica arrives packaged in its original collector box.


Fact Sheet

Brand: Franklin Mint / Armour Collection

Model code: 98003

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II

Serial/Tail Code: 155801

Unit: US Marine Corps VMFA-232 "The Red Devils" (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232)

Base Command: MCAS Miramar, California, USA

Scale: 1:48

Weight: 1.2 kg (approx.)

Material: Heavyweight Diecast Metal

Special Features: Heavyweight solid metal construction, authentic VMFA-232 Red Devils operational livery, crisp panel lines and squadron markings, detailed under-wing fuel tanks and missile ordnance attachments, original presentation box


Model Dimensions

Length: 14.5" or 37 cm

Wingspan: 10" or 25 cm

Condition

Model Condition - Spares/Repairs (4/10)

  • Paint cracking across the white painted areas, especially around the nose.
  • Some marks and yellow paint transfer to the top of the model.
  • Wear to the topside of the fuselage.
  • Inner undercarriage door is missing.
  • One side part of a pylon is missing.
  • Missing piece on the underside of the nose.
  • Missiles are detached with visible residue around the missile/pylon areas.
  • The wheels are slightly misaligned.
  • Any images showing a red arrow marked “flaw” are highlighting the defects listed above.

Box condition - Good (6/10)

  • Box is in good condition overall but shows noticeable storage and edge wear.
  • Barcode label states model 98001 rather than 98003, so the box/model numbering does not fully correspond.

Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.

Any 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.

Grading

Grading Criteria

Our grading is based mainly on the physical condition of the model itself, including paintwork, attached parts, repairs, visible wear and overall presentation. Box condition and missing separate accessories are noted separately where applicable.


Mint (10/10)
- As new, with no visible flaws to the model itself.


Near Mint (9/10)
- Very light signs of handling, storage or display only.


Excellent (8/10)
- Light wear or a few tiny marks, but still displays very well.


Very Good (7/10)
- Noticeable wear, small chips or rubs, but still presentable as a display piece.


Good (6/10)
- Obvious overall wear, visible marks or paint loss; better suited as a display or filler piece.


Fair (5/10)
- Heavy wear, larger areas of paint loss, repairs or clearly visible flaws.


Spares / Repairs (4/10 or below)
- Significant damage, missing attached parts, broken components or best suited for restoration/spares.


If a separate accessory, stand, leaflet, certificate or optional part is missing, this will be mentioned in the listing notes. The model may still receive a high grade if the model itself remains in strong condition.

For a full breakdown on how we grade models, please refer to our Condition Grading page.

Shipping

Dispatch & Tracking

Orders are dispatched on the next working day after they are placed. We do not dispatch orders on the same day.

If you would like us to hold your order for a later dispatch date, please add a note in the cart before proceeding to checkout, or contact us directly as soon as possible.

Once dispatched, you can follow your parcel on our 'Track Your Order' page.


UK Delivery

  • Tracked 48 — £4.20: Usually 2–3 working days. Available on orders under £100.

  • Tracked 24 — £5.20: Aims for the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £100 or more.

  • Parcelforce expressAM — £9.50: Guaranteed by 12 noon on the next working day after dispatch. Free on orders of £200 or more.


International Delivery

We ship worldwide from the UK using tracked services, with parcels insured up to the full order value.

  • Europe: Usually 3–5 business days after dispatch.

  • Rest of the world: Usually 6–7 business days after dispatch.

 

Add your models to the cart and enter your address to see available services and prices. Postage is combined by weight when you purchase multiple models.

If you place separate orders before they have been dispatched, we will combine them where they can be packed safely together and refund any excess postage paid. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can identify the orders.


Import Duties & Taxes

For supported destinations, duties and taxes are shown and collected at checkout. These orders are sent using a duty-paid service where available, so no further import duties or taxes should be due on delivery.

Duty-paid delivery is available where shown at checkout for the United States, Norway, Switzerland and selected European destinations. See our Shipping Policy for the full destination list.

If duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, your order is sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU). You may need to pay import charges or carrier handling fees before delivery.


We wrap each model box in bubble wrap and use paper void fill inside a sturdy, double-walled shipping box. We may reuse boxes and bubble wrap where suitable, while ensuring your order is protected during transit.

Returns

Returns

You can return an item within 30 days of delivery, provided it is in the same condition as when you received it.

Returns are free for UK customers. Customers outside the UK are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe each item carefully so you can buy with confidence.

We inspect returned items before issuing a refund. For full details, please see our Returns Policy.

To start a return, email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under About & Help in the top menu.