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Hobby Master HA1958 1:72 McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II USAF 10th TRW 1st TRS 68-0657 Starize RAF Alconbury 1986

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30-Day Returns

Preowned - Mint (10/10)
Out of stock
Dispatch by Mon, Nov 2
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Description

A highly detailed 1:72 scale diecast representation of a United States Air Force McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II operated from RAF Alconbury during the closing years of the Cold War. Released as part of the Hobby Master Air Power Series, HA1958 depicts aircraft 68-0657, named “Starize”, of the 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing during 1986.

The 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was based at RAF Alconbury in England and operated several specialised reconnaissance squadrons. Its aircraft provided NATO commanders with valuable tactical imagery and intelligence throughout Europe, maintaining a constant readiness to operate during periods of heightened Cold War tension.

The RF-4C was an unarmed photographic reconnaissance development of the Phantom II. In place of the fighter variant's radar and weapons systems, the elongated nose housed an extensive suite of cameras and sensors that could be used to gather intelligence from low, medium and high altitude.

Aircraft 68-0657 is reproduced with the individual name “Starize”, the AR tail code associated with RAF Alconbury and the blue identification colour used by the 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Its green and grey camouflage reflects the operational appearance of USAF reconnaissance aircraft based in Europe during the period.

Developed from the successful F-4 Phantom II, the RF-4C retained the type's powerful twin-engine performance, two-person cockpit and ability to operate at high speed over long distances. These characteristics made it an effective tactical reconnaissance platform capable of gathering imagery deep within contested airspace.

This Hobby Master release is particularly appealing to collectors of Cold War aircraft, USAF units based in Britain and reconnaissance aviation. The model features extensive diecast construction, detailed front and rear cockpits beneath separately positionable canopies, a carefully reproduced camera nose and removable external stores. It is supplied with its original Hobby Master presentation display stand.


Fact Sheet

Brand: Hobby Master

Series: Air Power Series

Model code: HA1958

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II

Serial: 68-0657

Aircraft Name: Starize

Unit: United States Air Force 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

Wing: 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

Tail Code: AR

Role: Tactical photographic reconnaissance

Theatre / Base: RAF Alconbury, England

Date/Period: 1986

Operator / Country: United States Air Force / United States

Scale: 1:72

Range: Air Power Series

Material: Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components

Special Features: Authentic 1st TRS and 10th TRW markings, Starize aircraft name, AR tail code, European camouflage, specialised camera nose, detailed front and rear cockpits, separately positionable canopies, removable external stores, detailed landing gear and original presentation display stand


Model Dimensions

Length: 10.5" or 26.7 cm

Width (Wingspan): 6.25" or 15.9 cm

Condition

Model Condition - Mint (10/10)

  • Comes complete

Box condition - Excellent (8/10)

  • Some general wear is present around the edges and corners.
  • The box remains in excellent condition overall.

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.

Condition

This model has sold. Its condition details have been removed because they described the specific item that was available. If another example becomes available, it will be inspected and listed with its own condition details and photographs.

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 highly detailed 1:72 scale diecast representation of a United States Air Force McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II operated from RAF Alconbury during the closing years of the Cold War. Released as part of the Hobby Master Air Power Series, HA1958 depicts aircraft 68-0657, named “Starize”, of the 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing during 1986.

The 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was based at RAF Alconbury in England and operated several specialised reconnaissance squadrons. Its aircraft provided NATO commanders with valuable tactical imagery and intelligence throughout Europe, maintaining a constant readiness to operate during periods of heightened Cold War tension.

The RF-4C was an unarmed photographic reconnaissance development of the Phantom II. In place of the fighter variant's radar and weapons systems, the elongated nose housed an extensive suite of cameras and sensors that could be used to gather intelligence from low, medium and high altitude.

Aircraft 68-0657 is reproduced with the individual name “Starize”, the AR tail code associated with RAF Alconbury and the blue identification colour used by the 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Its green and grey camouflage reflects the operational appearance of USAF reconnaissance aircraft based in Europe during the period.

Developed from the successful F-4 Phantom II, the RF-4C retained the type's powerful twin-engine performance, two-person cockpit and ability to operate at high speed over long distances. These characteristics made it an effective tactical reconnaissance platform capable of gathering imagery deep within contested airspace.

This Hobby Master release is particularly appealing to collectors of Cold War aircraft, USAF units based in Britain and reconnaissance aviation. The model features extensive diecast construction, detailed front and rear cockpits beneath separately positionable canopies, a carefully reproduced camera nose and removable external stores. It is supplied with its original Hobby Master presentation display stand.


Fact Sheet

Brand: Hobby Master

Series: Air Power Series

Model code: HA1958

Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II

Serial: 68-0657

Aircraft Name: Starize

Unit: United States Air Force 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

Wing: 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

Tail Code: AR

Role: Tactical photographic reconnaissance

Theatre / Base: RAF Alconbury, England

Date/Period: 1986

Operator / Country: United States Air Force / United States

Scale: 1:72

Range: Air Power Series

Material: Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components

Special Features: Authentic 1st TRS and 10th TRW markings, Starize aircraft name, AR tail code, European camouflage, specialised camera nose, detailed front and rear cockpits, separately positionable canopies, removable external stores, detailed landing gear and original presentation display stand


Model Dimensions

Length: 10.5" or 26.7 cm

Width (Wingspan): 6.25" or 15.9 cm

Condition

Model Condition - Mint (10/10)

  • Comes complete

Box condition - Excellent (8/10)

  • Some general wear is present around the edges and corners.
  • The box remains in excellent condition overall.

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.

Condition

This model has sold. Its condition details have been removed because they described the specific item that was available. If another example becomes available, it will be inspected and listed with its own condition details and photographs.

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.