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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
Preowned - Mint (10/10)
- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
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.
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
Goods will be shipped next day after the order is placed.
You can stay updated on your tracking information by clicking Track Your Order here. Alternatively, this can be located via the top menu under 'Track Your Order'.
Please allow extra time for delivery during the busy Christmas period.
UK Shipping
- Free Express Tracked Delivery (Royal Mail Tracked 24 – 1 Business day)
For orders over £100. - Free Premium Delivery (ParcelForce Express Tracked – 1 Business day)
For orders over £200. - Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2–3 working days) – £3.95
For orders under £100. - Royal Mail Express Tracked (1 business day) – £5.20
For orders under £100.
Worldwide
International shipping is available and fully insured up to the total order value. Add items to your cart and enter your delivery address in the cart to see postage before checkout. If you buy multiple items, the cart will automatically combine shipping costs based on item weight.
International Import Duties & Taxes
For selected duty-paid destinations, import duties and taxes are calculated and collected upfront at checkout. Where these charges are shown at checkout, your order will be shipped using a duty-paid service where available, helping to reduce the chance of additional import charges on delivery.
Selected European duty-paid destinations currently include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Duty-paid shipping may also be available for the United States, Norway and Switzerland where shown at checkout.
For destinations where duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, orders are sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU), meaning import charges may be payable before delivery.
Products are packaged very well to ensure secure delivery and a happy customer.
Returns
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in their original condition.
- Free UK customer returns.
- Non-UK customers are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe all items accurately to help you buy with confidence.
- Refunds are issued after inspection of the returned item.
For more information on returns, please visit our Returns Policy page.

Hobby Master HA1958 1:72 McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II USAF 10th TRW 1st TRS 68-0657 Starize RAF Alconbury 1986
Sale price£120.00 GBP
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- Description
- Condition
- Grading
- Shipping
- Returns
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.
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
Goods will be shipped next day after the order is placed.
You can stay updated on your tracking information by clicking Track Your Order here. Alternatively, this can be located via the top menu under 'Track Your Order'.
Please allow extra time for delivery during the busy Christmas period.
UK Shipping
- Free Express Tracked Delivery (Royal Mail Tracked 24 – 1 Business day)
For orders over £100. - Free Premium Delivery (ParcelForce Express Tracked – 1 Business day)
For orders over £200. - Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2–3 working days) – £3.95
For orders under £100. - Royal Mail Express Tracked (1 business day) – £5.20
For orders under £100.
Worldwide
International shipping is available and fully insured up to the total order value. Add items to your cart and enter your delivery address in the cart to see postage before checkout. If you buy multiple items, the cart will automatically combine shipping costs based on item weight.
International Import Duties & Taxes
For selected duty-paid destinations, import duties and taxes are calculated and collected upfront at checkout. Where these charges are shown at checkout, your order will be shipped using a duty-paid service where available, helping to reduce the chance of additional import charges on delivery.
Selected European duty-paid destinations currently include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
Duty-paid shipping may also be available for the United States, Norway and Switzerland where shown at checkout.
For destinations where duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, orders are sent Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU), meaning import charges may be payable before delivery.
Products are packaged very well to ensure secure delivery and a happy customer.
Returns
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery.
- Items must be returned in their original condition.
- Free UK customer returns.
- Non-UK customers are responsible for return postage unless the item is faulty or not as described. We photograph and describe all items accurately to help you buy with confidence.
- Refunds are issued after inspection of the returned item.
For more information on returns, please visit our Returns Policy page.
If you need to return an item, please email jay@thecollectablesvault.com or use the contact form under “About & Help” in the top menu.
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