Airfix Model World Special - Scale Modelling F-4 Phantom

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MODELLING THE F-4 PHANTOM SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

F-4 Phantom

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5 PHANTOM BUILDS • F-4 HISTORIES • KIT OVERVIEW • PHOTO REFERENCE COLOUR SCHEME CHART • VIETNAM WEAPONS • ACCESSORIES • AND MORE! 15/10/2014 16:12

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WELCOME EDITORS DESK F-4 Phantom

EDITORIAL Editor: Assistant Editor: Editor's secretary:

Chris Clifford Stu Fone Vanessa Smith

CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer Wright, James Vaitkevicius, David Hobbs, Garry Tobiss, Adam Tooby, Ian Black, Andrew Terrell, Warren Thompson, Jim Rotramel

DESIGN Art Editor: Group Art Editor:

Tom Bagley Steve Donovan

ADVERTISING Commercial Director: Group Advertising Manager: Advertising Manager: Production Manager:

Ann Saundry Brodie Baxter Tom Lee Debi McGowan

WELCOME

MARKETING Group Marketing Manager: Marketing Manager: Subscriptions Manager: Mail Order: Production Manager:

Martin Steele Shaun Binnington Ann Petrie Joan Harwin Liz Ward Janet Watkins

Managing Director: Executive Chairman:

Adrian Cox Richard Cox

M

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y first encounter with the mighty Phantom occurred when I was just four years old in 1972, at Alconbury airshow. Past a fleeting gap in the crowds, an RF-4C blasted by and the roar was like nothing I’d ever experienced. The rumble went from my feet to my head and I thought I would burst, and then I cried! After all, a Phantom at ‘full-chat’ is a lot for a small child to handle... but it lit a fire within and from then on I was obsessed. Fast forward to 1987, as a newly trained armourer I found myself at RAF Leuchars, delighted to work in support of my favourite aircraft. Needless to say, I’ve built most of the available kits over the years! The legendary F-4 was well covered in kit form in the 1970s and ‘80s, but until last year ‘Phantom Phans’ suffered a something of a lull; save for Tamiya and Revell, it was as if manufacturers gave up the ghost (pardon the pun) and it was many years before a new major Phantom kit hit the shelves. Maybe the type became a victim of its own success, and people gravitated to other subjects for variety. Or perhaps it was the lack of new kits that prompted the faithful to give F-4 modelling a rest. Arguably the type faded somewhat from show tables, apart from occasional examples. But now, Academy’s new 1/48 kits have sparked a resurgence of interest in the Phantom, and after-market producers have not been slow to the call. This 100-page special publication follows our last two ‘Step by Step’ modelling guides, which were hugely successful. A bit like ‘that difficult third album’, though, it was tough to think of how we might progress, but then it became obvious that the F-4 deserved a fresh look. With that in mind, we hope you enjoy this styrene-based foray into the legendary Phantom, and the five different builds within. Those new to the type will find much of use here, but even the faithful may rediscover techniques and facts long forgotten. Few aircraft offer such a wealth of colour schemes and sub-types for modellers, so whether one favours Spook, Rhino or Double-Ugly, let’s revel in building this amazing air combat all-rounder.

Chris Clifford, Editor

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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CONTENTS SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

CONTENTS

BUILD THE EYES HAVE IT 08 MODEL

5 PHANTOM BUILDS!

THE F-4 IN PLASTIC 06 INTRODUCTION We delve in to the release history and quality of Phantom kits, past and present.

BUILD THE EYES HAVE IT 08 MODEL Jennifer Wright satisfies her 1/72 yearnings with Revell's RF-4E, built as a Hellenic Air Force ‘special’.

BUILD 'I FEAR NO MAN' 18 MODEL James Vaitkevicius relies on Tamiya’s 1/32 F-4J to replicate an RAF F-4J (UK).

FOCUS DEFENDER 30 INSTOP-GAP Former F-4J (UK) Navigator Ian Black tells the story of the type’s

36 INCZECHFOCUSSIX!-

entry into RAF service.

BUILD MISSILE BAIT 40 MODEL

IN FOCUS STOP-GAP DEFENDER SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM CONTENTS BUILD 'I FEAR NO MAN' 18 MODEL

FOCUS SERVICE SPOOKS 62 INSENIOR

AND DECALS 84 ACCESSORIES

VIETNAM WEAPONS 82 INUSPROFILE

36 INCZECHFOCUSSIX!-

BUILD OLDS’ LEGACY 70 MODEL

We lift the lid on Eduard’s recent

A MiG-killing F-4C is portrayed in

1/48 re-boxings of the Academy

a US Air National Guard scheme

F-4B, with all their included resin

by Andrew Terrell, who uses

and metal accessories...and

Academy’s 1/48 scale kit.

Furball-designed decals.

40

MODEL BUILD MISSILE BAIT

your SEA Phantoms, check out

Hasegawa’s 1/48 F-4J into an

these period photos and scale

eye-popping QF-4B drone

drawings, courtesy of Warren

aircraft, with help from Royale

Thompson and Jim Rotramel.

54

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MODEL BUILD OMEGA RHINO

of resin, photo-etched metal and decals on the market, to enliven

deck launch section, on which to

any Phantom build.

IN FOCUS - SENIOR SERVICE SPOOKS

FOCUS F-4 GALLERY 92 PHOTO Revel in the wide-ranging colour

David Hobbs details the role of

schemes worn by Phantoms

the Royal Navy’s F-4K Phantom.

from around the globe, with our

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Here’s our guide to the multitude

builds an HMS Ark Royal carrier

62

05

AND DECALS 84 ACCESSORIES

Assistant Editor Stu Fone scratch-

pose his 1/72 Fujimi F-4K.

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

For authentic weapons loads on

Garry Tobiss backdates

Resin and others.

MODEL BUILD OMEGA RHINO

FOCUS ASIA LOADS 78 INSOUTHEAST

BOOKS PHANTOM IN PRINT

reference image selection.

Editor Chris Clifford describes his

PAINT GUIDE 96 PHANTOM

favourite top 20 books on the

We provide paint codes for all the

mighty F-4.

major F-4 schemes.

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INTRODUCTION PHANTOM KITS

THE F-4 IN PLASTIC

The F-4 Phantom has received much attention from kit manufacturers over the years. Stu Fone offers an introduction to styrene ‘Spooks’

 Revell has recently re-released its 1/32 F-4E in these stunning special German Air Force colours.

S

ince the first scale Phantom, an Airfix F-4B in 1965, there has been a staggering number of plastic kits released, in everything from 1/700 to 1/32 scales. Interest in the F-4 has remained consistent with die-hards, but fluctuated in other quarters; the introduction of newly tooled kits (as opposed to a few new parts ‘boosting’ an existing product) has been erratic and with distinctive lulls, the longest of which began in 1990 and is only

for its 1/48 offerings. Although no longer readily available, Esci’s F-4s were notable for being among the first to use recessed panel lines and, while interior detail was lacking compared to more modern alternatives, these are still highly prized.

just ending. The mid-1980s was something of a ‘golden era’, when almost every major manufacturer released a completely new F-4, and there were huge advances in detail and accuracy, including the use of engraved panel lines...a feature now taken for granted. F-4 kit design has generally followed one of two approaches – either multi-part or full fuselage. The former was adopted by Hasegawa for 1/72 scale in its later kits, along with Revell, with the latter preferred by Academy, Tamiya, Fujimi, Esci, Monogram and Italeri; Hasegawa used this approach

EASTERN DELIGHTS Of the Phantom kits currently available, Hasegawa’s arguably offer the best quality in terms of panel lines and accuracy, with all re-releases derived from a 1990 re-tool, adding a sprinkling of extra parts each time to

SOME CURRENTLY AVAILABLE F-4 KITS... A MODEL

AC12300 F-4D ROKAF

1/144

AC12305 F-4J VF-84

AMU14425 C-130 and F-4J ‘BLUE ANGELS’ Aerobatic team

Accurate Miniatures

ACADEMY

0411 F-4J (Ex-Monogram)

1/144

EDUARD

AC12605 F-4E

1/48

AC12611 F-4F

1186 F-4B Good Morning Da Nang! (five decal option - see p.36)

1/48 AC12232 F-4B VF-111 AC12294 F-4C Vietnam

1/72 72180 F-4S II VX-4 ‘Black Bunny’ 27044/H-17 British Phantom FG.1 ‘Silver Jubilee’

1/72

72202 F-4G Wild Weasel (future re-release)

HASEGAWA 1/72 00332 F-4E USAF (C02) 00637 F-4EJ KAI Super Phantom 8 Sqn Panthers 00788 RF-4E Luftwaffe AG52 Special Paint

1190 F-4N Bicentennial Phantoms (five decal options - see p.36)

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FUJIMI

00806 RF-4E Luftwaffe ‘Tiger Meet 1984’

06

‘tweak’ the kit. Fujimi’s 1984-1987 re-tool in 1/72 scale covered all of the major fighter-bomber and reconnaissance variants, including the British Phantoms with their modified fuselage and Spey exhausts, and these remain in huge demand due to their ease of construction and fine detail. Revell’s own in-house F-4s have engraved embellishment and represent excellent value for money, especially when compared to releases from the Far East. Although Monogram has long been intertwined with Revell,

00820 F-4F Luftwaffe ‘JG72 Westfalen Special 2001’ 00888 F-4EJ Kai ‘Air Combat Meet 2007’ 00935 RF-4B USMC VMCJ-1 00977 F-4S US Navy ‘CVW-5 Midway Combo’ (two kits) 01566 F-4B/N US Navy (E36) 01567 F-4EJ Kai Phantom II 01905 F-4J VF-41 Black Aces Special 01914 F-4E ‘Thunderbirds’ and F-4J ‘Blue Angels’ Aerobatic Display Combo 01922 RF-4B USMC VMCJ-2 01926 F-4J ‘VX-4 Black Phantom’

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PHANTOM KITS INTRODUCTION

 The only real option for a 1/72 British Phantom is via Fujimi's kits, which represent various RAF and RN F-4s.

 Monogram's original F-4C soldiers on, albeit in a Revell box. The kit has raised lines but can still look good....with work.

its classic 1/48 and 1/72 Phantoms remain available; the moulded cockpit detail in those kits was unsurpassed until the arrival of the latest releases from Academy, although the raised panel lines may not be to everyone’s liking. Italeri used to offer several ‘long nose’ Phantoms, but currently just the F-4S is available; however this kit reflects its late 1970s vintage, with raised panel lines and only a basic cockpit. Until recently, Hasegawa’s 1/48 range of all Phantom variants,

including the F-4K and F-4M, was regarded as the best in that scale, with great accuracy and external detail. Howeve, their place at the top has now been challenged by Academy’s F-4B/C kits, which have raised the bar in terms of detail and quality of decals. For the biggest scale in F-4s, the Revell 1/32 F-4E/RF-4E was for many years the only option, and it was revitalised in 1994 with a new-tooling which featured engraved panel lines and improved detail. Yet the following year, a kit arrived which had jaws dropping...it was of course Tamiya’s F-4C/D, subsequently

 Hasegawa continues to re-release various 1/48 and 1/72 Phantoms with new decals. This colourful Japanese 'special' in the latter scale is a good example.

released as F-4J, E and EJ variants, and these featured incredible levels of detail, even if it did make a rather large hole in the wallet! As for the future, Academy is set to release at least an F-4B in 1/72 scale in 2015, and with Fujimi’s range of 1/72 Phantoms once again becoming available via Amerang, perhaps we ‘DoubleUgly’ fans are entering a new period of plenty...

 British F-4s in 1/48 scale are only offered by Hasegawa.. With RAF and RN options, they have excellent detail.

 Still to be found at shows and on auction sites, Esci's F-4 kits are still highly prized items and have engraved lines.

 Academy delighted Phantom fans everywhere with its all-new F-4B and C kits in 1/48 scale, which set new standards.

01956 F-4S VF-151 Low Vis CAG

07209 F-4G Wild Weasel (with one piece canopy) (PT009)

14621 F-4E USAF

1/32

01990 F-4E Iranian Air Force

14682 F-4E/F USAF/Luftwaffe

4895 F-4F WTD-61 ‘Flight Test’

02023 F-4S VF-301 Devil’s Disciples

07231 RF-4B USMC VMFP-3 (PT031)

PLATZ HOBBY

TAMIYA

02064 F-4J VF-96 Fighting Falcons

07355 F-4S VX-4 ‘Vandy 75’

1/144

1/32

02075 RF-4E/RF-4EJ ‘JASDF 501Sqn Combo’ (two kits)

09973 RF-4B USMC VMCJ-2

60305 F-4C/D USAF

ITALERI

PLAPF015 JASDF F-4EJ KAI 3WWG 50th Anniversary (two kits)

1/72

REVELL

60308 F-4J Marines

IT0170 F-4S VF-301 US Navy, VMFA-232 USMC

1/100

MINICRAFT

1/72

TESTORS

1/144

4685 F-4F ‘Anniversary’

1/48

14419 F-4E

4875 F-4F ‘JG71 Last Call’

00572 F-4G/F ‘Wild Weasel’

02079 F-4EJ KAI ‘301 Sqn40th Anniversary’ 02089 F-4EJ KAI ‘Air Combat Meet 2013’ 1/48 07206 F-4J ‘Showtime 100’ (with one-piece canopy - PT006) 07208 F-4E ‘30th Anniversary’ (with one-piece canopy - PT008)

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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6643 F-4F WA

07

60306 F-4J USN 60310 F-4E early production type USAF 60314 F-4EJ JASDF

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MODEL BUILD RF-4E PHANTOM II

Jennifer Wright adds small but noticeable improvements to Revell’s generally excellent 1/72 RF-4E

T

he RF-4E was developed from the F-4E, with the nose adapted to carry cameras with lateral and rearward photographic capabilities. In a bid for a capable reconnaissance asset, the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) acquired its RF-4Es in the early 1990s as surplus Luftwaffe airframes. They

were equipped with weapons and selfdefence systems, as their main role was reconnaissance before and after an air attack. Based in Larissa, they continue to be operated by 348 Squadron, with the call-sign ‘Eyes’. Revell’s kit contained 97 parts in a very glossy dark green plastic; the

moulding was exceptionally good, with delightfully crisp surface detail everywhere. There was little or no flash, although several sink marks were evident. The usual recycled paper instructions, and a decal sheet containing a special scheme and standard German livery were also

 The cockpit’s plastic parts were painted Medium Sea Grey, with knobs and dials picked out with black and white. As after-market seats were being considered, at this point they were compared. The seat on the left is from Wolfpack, the middle from Quickboost and the kit seat is on the right. Quickboost seats were chosen, since they fitted the cockpit tub with minimal modification, while the Wolfpack items were a little too wide. SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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RF-4E PHANTOM II MODEL BUILD

 In a clever move, Revell supplied most of the camera window area as a single transparency, which comprised the entire lower nose. Because the part was clear, painting the interior was advisable in order to prevent any see-through effect in the final paint finish. Masking all the windows was achieved with tiny pieces of tape, layered together to create the various shapes.

included. It was noted upon inspection of the parts that the plastic in this kit was unusually brittle; several had snapped off the runners in transit, and one nose half had actually snapped in two. For this build it was decided to portray a special Hellenic Air Force scheme, for which Icarus Productions decals were acquired. Aircraft 7519 of 348 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was painted in this livery for the 2005 RIAT air display. It was also decided to employ low-cost aftermarket extras to add detail in key areas.

 ‘R is for camera!...Revell included simple but effective recce cameras in the kit. These were simply painted grey, and they received a subtle wash to bring out the detail. The lens areas were painted gloss black to better represent glass.

 Although Revell supplied RF-4 instrument panel detail, it was rather flat and uninspiring. Painting dials is never easy to do neatly, so they were coloured with a fine permanent pen instead. This worked beautifully and, in no time at all, the dials were perfectly painted. The pen also proved adept at picking up small raised details such as the flat knobs and dials.

 The Quickboost replacement seats were an inexpensive, but undeniably massive improvement over the kit offerings. Careful painting accented the exquisite detail, and added a real focal point to the cockpit. Note that Remove Before Flight tags were added to the top of the seats for extra interest.

MODEL SPEC BY:

Revell

STOCK CODE: 04308

SCALE: 1/72

PRICE: £14.99

AVAILABLE AT: Various retailers

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MODEL BUILD RF-4E PHANTOM II

 The promise of that beautiful moulding was followed through with beautifully fitting parts. Almost no putty was required on any of the main joins...even the usually tricky wing-to-fuselage areas.

 One notable exception in the moulding was the lower nose plate. It was a little narrower than the rest of the nose, which resulted in a portion of putty being used to bring it flush on one side.

 Another section that required remedial action was the join at the rear of the wing. The real aircraft is quite flat sided here, but the model's join was concave; again, putty made it flush. The arrestor hook suffered from large sink marks on the sides. Rather than use putty on such a small part, aluminium furnace tape was applied to cover the depressions. Fastener detail was applied to the tape with a beading tool.

 Although beautifully moulded for the most part, there were areas with prominent seam lines. These were particularly easy to see around the intakes, but were tackled easily with sanding sticks and sponges.

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RE IN STAT IN G S URFACE DETAI L

 Further evidence of the kit’s impeccable engineering was found when the forward fuselage and intakes were applied. Often an area that causes trouble, the joins here were excellent; the small gap visible behind the canopy was the only area that required attention - in this case a smear of Gunze Mr. Surfacer was all that was needed.

Even a kit as well fitting as this must have sanding carried out to remove all traces of join lines, so it is inevitable that some surface detail will be lost, or reduced in depth. Rescribing straight lines is easy enough, but what about circles, shapes and rivets? The answer comes in the form of a template. Various types of templates are available commercially, or can be custom-made to suit. The item pictured is Hasegawa's Tritool (TP-1-1) and contains circles and round-edged squares, but all manner of shapes and sizes are available. Restoring the circles along the spine of the F-4 was a simple task once the correct size circle was identified. The template was held in position, while a pointed scriber was used to score the line. Many light passes were used, as heavy-handedness was more likely to dislodge the template and cause the scriber to go astray. Rivets were reinstated one-by-one with the point of the same scribing tool, as just a few rivets needed to be replaced. For a longer line of rivets, a rivet wheel would have been preferable.

 Another case of a small aftermarket investment yielding a large gain; Master Models’ turned brass pitot and Angle of Attack (AoA) vane set. Fitting was simple, a hole was drilled into the surface detail already present on the model for the AoA vane, while the nose probe required enlargement of the hole already there. The third part of the set was a replacement probe for the tail fin, which required removal of the moulded part, and the drilling of a hole. SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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EXT RA E MB E L L ISH M ENT

 The decal instructions offered helpful suggestions regarding the tail colour, but these were mostly for obscure Federal Standard numbers or paint not widely available in the UK. In fact, Gunze H323 Light Blue was a good match; although not an inherently weak colour, coverage was greatly aided by the light primer.

 The dark blue was more difficult to find, the original being quite dark. Initial attempts at mixing a custom colour were unsuccessful, so in the end Tamiya X-4 Blue was used. It was slightly less dark than the original, but was close enough. Stock colours did have the big advantage that any touch-ups required later could be done easily.

For the most part, Revell did a good job on this kit, with decent levels of detail almost everywhere. Unfortunately, the rear instrument panel was forgotten somewhere along the line, and as standard would be left protruding from the coaming as a blank flat panel. On the real aircraft, this area was a mass of wires, connectors and the rear faces of instruments and electronic boxes. Clearly, scratch-building a believable representation of that would be difficult and time consuming in 1/72 scale, but leaving it blank wasn’t an attractive option either. Lazy man’s scratch-building ensued; first gluing in a pile of random plastic card pieces to build-up a shape. Then, a piece of lead foil was cut roughly to size and pressed into place all around the instrument panel. Lead foil is wonderfully malleable, and will conform to all sorts of shapes without splitting or cracking. Once happy with the shape, it was trimmed to size, glued into place and painted black to represent a cover.

 Greek RF-4s were painted in a three-tone camouflage, quoted as being similar to that on Luftwaffe aircraft... but not exactly the same. Again, the decal instructions helped but the recommendations did not match well visually with photos. The first colour was based on Gunze H422. This was lightened with white and sprayed in the rough shapes required. The primer allowed a subtle pre-shading effect by building up more colour in areas to be darker, and vice versa.

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RF-4E PHANTOM II MODEL BUILD

REFERENCE Recce: 348 Squadron 60 Years Eyes in the Sky, by Ioannis Lekkas (Eagle Aviation), ISBN: 978-96093-5274-1 (www. eagleaviation.gr)

 The second colour was added via Gunze H303 Green (FS 34102). This time, the pre-shading and mottled effects are much more obvious. It was deliberately left quite coarsely finished at this stage, since no dark shading was planned.

 Reference images showed that even though two greens were used on the real aircraft, they were tough to differentiate. A glance at photos suggested that there was actually only one green; such was the subtlety in the colour difference. For this reason, a light shade of the original green was used to fade and blend the second colour, until in certain places they were virtually identical.

 The last colour was listed as Schwarzgrun. As with the other colours though, references suggested that it should be more black than green. A good match came via Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black, itself a very dark grey. While the underside received neat paint, the top colour was lightened significantly. As with the first colours, shading and mottling was worked in, to obviate the need for further light and dark work.

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 Alclad metallic lacquers can produce highly realistic effects. The heat-stained areas at the rear of the F-4 were achieved with Titanium, Steel and Stainless Steel shades, blended and streaked to match references.

 An after-market sheet from Icarus Productions (72-003) provided the desired Hellenic Air Force special markings for the build. These can be found at www.hannants.co.uk.

 Applying the decals was not troublesome. They were of excellent quality and settled easily into the engraved detail with the use of Gunze Mr. Sol decal softener. HAF F-4s, in reality, were bedecked with numerous stencils but these would be difficult to reproduce effectively in 1/72 scale, and so were not included on the decal sheet. One shortcoming of the decals (quite literally) was noted at the front of the fin. The white cloud effect was not long enough to wrap around the leading edge as it should. This was further complicated by the moulded vent detail in the area. The solution was to mask the missing section before touching in with white paint through an airbrush.

 Because of the dirty nature of the real aircraft, a panel line wash was desirable. This is also the reason that no dark shading was employed during the painting phase. Enamel-based washes were used, mixed to a dark greyish brown.

 Icarus’ decal sheet represented the aircraft as it was in 2005, but an Internet photo showed the same jet at a later date with a yellow 'spyglass' smile on the nose, replicated here by one-off masking...mostly with thin strips of Tamiya tape.

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 This area was sprayed white in preparation for the yellow. The small patch of overspray visible near the radome was simply rubbed off with a blunt cocktail stick; this was possible because of the previously applied clear coat. After the yellow was added, more masking was positioned to create the black outline, and finally, the eye itself was drawn by hand with a fine brush and black paint.

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RF-4E PHANTOM II MODEL BUILD

 A few areas on the wings had neat H-303 Green applied to break up the colour further. Reference photographs of the actual aircraft were used throughout the process.

T WO STE P S F O RWA R D . . . After the model was primed, it was dropped accidentally onto the modelling desk, and suffered a hard landing. No external damage was done, so a sigh of relief was breathed - until a rattle was heard from the nose. Despite the masking, it was obvious that one of the cameras had come loose and was bouncing around inside. Unfortunately, the camera windows were quite large, so a dislodged camera would have been noticeable. There was no easy way to get to it, so the razor saw was pressed into action and the radome removed. The camera duly fell out, but was impossible to replace as it was the rear camera and access was blocked by the cameras in the front. The only course of action was to carefully remove the transparent nose part; this was the only point in the build where the brittle plastic actually helped, as the camera mounting plate came away quite easily. This time the cameras were fixed very firmly in place with large blobs of Gator Glue, which dried clear and so would be invisible when dry.

 It could be argued that the matt coat is usually the final stage of finishing. In this case, however, it was decided that the only way to replicate the faded and patchy look of the original was to weather on top of the matt coat. To create dark patches and oil staining, a very thin 50:50 mix of XF-64 Red Brown and XF-1 Flat Black was sprayed along panel lines, and in areas where photos showed staining and dirt on the original. This was enhanced with neat XF-69 NATO Black in some areas, to create more dirt and patch repairs. The final step was to create an even thinner mix of XF-83 Medium Sea Grey, used to simulate fading.

 Attention then turned to the weapons fit. The kit offered just three fuel tanks and two pods. No photos of HAF RF-4Es were found with the ALQ jamming pod fitted, so it was decided not to use it. Instead, AIM-9 Sidewinders and rails were cannibalised from a Revell F-4F kit. Two were to be fitted to one inner pylon, while the other would use the second pod from the original kit.

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MODEL BUILD RF-4E PHANTOM II

 The kit exhaust nozzles were well moulded, but lacked any internal detail. To remedy this, Eduard photo-etched (PE) brass internal parts were used. Although designed for Hasegawa kits, these fitted with a little trimming and provided much needed detail for the nozzles. Fitting was simple; the PE parts were rolled around a pen to gain curvature, but left too big for the nozzle. This meant that once squeezed inside, they sprang back to push against the side of the plastic part.

ACCESSORIES Eduard (www. eduard.com) • 72395 F-4E Phantom Exhaust • 72446 F-4F/ RF-4E FOD Guards • 72448 F-4 Phantom Access Ladder Icarus Productions (www.icarus productions.gr) • 72003 RF-4E 7519 Special Scheme for RIAT 2005

 All the small parts were painted and weathered to match the airframe, and test-fitting was done along the way to ensure no problems would rear themselves during final assembly. A bung was created for the stores pod by cutting off the end a cocktail stick, and the taper ensured that accuracy was not required! An attack of OCD at this late stage explains the grey visible on said pod; a tiny ‘ghost’ seam was noticed, so Mr. Surfacer was used to remove it before touching-up with the airbrush.

Master Model (www.master-model.pl) • 72036 F-4 Phantom II Long Nose Pitot Probe Quickboost (www. quickboost.net) • 72011 F-4 Ejection Seat x 2

 Most PE parts can be folded successfully with nothing more technical than tweezers or flat-nosed pliers...but the lovely Eduard ladder used in this build was a different matter, as it was extremely fragile. And so, a Hold and Fold tool was employed to shape the ladder as shown.

 Eduard PE FOD guards and an access ladder added authenticity. The Sidewinder seeker head covers came from an Eduard Brassin set, but could easily be made from pieces of tubing. The lead foil on the right was pre-painted before being sliced to make RBF tags.

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 It was noticed that the axles on the undercarriage legs were much thinner than the holes in the wheels, which lead to a sloppy fit. This was the case with all the undercarriage units, not just the nose. The solution was to use tiny lengths of Albion Alloys' brass tube to create bushings in the wheels. The nose undercarriage leg was drilled to accept 0.5mm wire, which then slotted cleanly and precisely into the tubes fitted to the wheels.

A SNOOPING SUCCESS This was a great build, and a really good kit because Revell got so many things right; beautiful moulding, lovely surface detail, excellent fit and adequate level of rendering in general. In many respects it surpassed the venerable Hasegawa kit, and was much cheaper. The downside was the brittle plastic, though, which marred the build constantly. Parts snapping, cracking and chipping added much extra time and effort to the project, and made the finished model extremely fragile. This brittleness did seem to be restricted to the green plastic, as the F-4F kit moulded in blue had no such issues. As good a kit as this was, the aftermarket decals and small additions really raised it to another level, with a spectacular and eyecatching paint scheme and a degree of detail simply not apparent in stock kits in this scale. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable end result was achieved and it’s a highly recommended kit for any ‘Spook’ fan.

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RF-4E PHANTOM II PHOTO FOCUS

As explained in the preceding build article, it's difficult to ascertain the two different shades of green on this Greek camouflage scheme. The aircraft hails from 348 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, which previously flew the RT-33 and RF-84F. (All Key Collection)

SAY CHEESE! Here are useful reference images of the real Hellenic AF RF-4E, replicated in our first build Although their primary role is that of reconnaissance, the RF-4Es of 348 TRS can carry Sidewinder missiles for self defence, as evidenced by the launch rails either side of the inboard wing pylons. This aircraft has the more angular of the two recce nose shapes sported by RF-4s.

This version of the aircraft's special livery came after its appearance at RIAT 2005, where it lacked the yellow 'smile' around the nose. Of note is the patchy finish and variance from matt to satin on the three-tone camouflage. SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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MODEL BUILD RAF F-4J (UK) James Vaitkevicius portrays an RAF 74 Squadron F-4J (UK) with Tamiya’s large-scale US Navy Phantom

‘IF FEAR NO MAN’ ollowing the recapture of the Falklands Islands in 1982, a fulltime RAF presence in theatre was deemed vital. Phantom FGR.2s from 23 Squadron were at first detached to the islands in 1982, and took up permanent residence around a year later; the four aircraft eventually flew as 1435 Flight, from November 1, 1988. But with the then Tornado F.2 still to enter service, the UK Government realised the shortfall in the number of airframes available for UK air defence...and so second-hand US Navy F-4Js emerged as the stop-gap.

MODEL SPEC BY:

TAMIYA

STOCK CODE: 60308

SCALE: 1/32

PRICE:

AFTER-MARKET BOOST Tamiya’s 1/32 F-4J has been with us for several years now and is a generally wonderful kit, moulded to the company’s usual high standards. Unusually, work on the air intakes was tackled first. As with many aircraft kits, the provided intake parts can be basic and so it was decided to remove

£105.00

AVAILABLE AT: www.hobbyco.net

 A number of photo-etched (PE) metal frets were included with the Aires cockpit set and these comprised seat harnesses, instrument panels, fuselage details and more.

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RAF F-4J (UK) MODEL BUILD  Yellowhammer Models after-market decals were used and these included squadron markings and the 1998 NATO Tiger Meet F-4J (UK) scheme.

 DMold’s intakes were prepared and finished in gloss white, but the splitter plate was primed in XF-4 in preparation for the final grey camouflage.

the kit parts and employ after-market seamless intakes from US firm DMold; their fitting did require several hours’ filling and sanding to ensure a good finish. Pre-formed in resin, DMold’s items comprised a deep seamless intake complete with detailed panels and rivets. Minor surgery was required, though, and this started with removal of the moulded intake from the one-piece upper fuselage section, with a 0.8mm drill bit to mark out roughly the required section to be removed. Each segment was cut away carefully with a razor saw and neatened with a scalpel blade. Further minor adjustments and dry-fitting were necessary, to ensure a flush fit between each intake. Gloss white paint was then applied to the inside of the air intake and inner section of the splitter plate, while the outer section was finished in Tamiya XF-4 Yellow Green to act as a primer for the main colour. The compressor blades received aluminium paint and were

 Deception Electronic Countermeasures (DECM) antenna fairings were fitted to each intake shoulder. On the real aircraft they were actually empty!

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MODEL BUILD RAF F-4J (UK) left to dry, and then further work was required on the splitter plate; the main grey colour was rendered with light coats of Lifecolor FS 35414. The intakes were finished with the attachment of the DECM antennas on the intake shoulders, and airspeed indicators, and left to dry overnight before they were glued in place the following day with thin cyanoacrylate (CA).

OFFICE AGENDA

 Aires' resin cockpit featured superb detail. Two coats of Gunze H317 formed the base coat, and then all features were detail-painted accordingly before MIG Productions’ Dark Wash was applied to add depth.

 Humbrol Maskol was applied by sponge to the canopy sills in a random manner, following coats of silver and zinc-chromate primer. Black paint was then airbrushed and once dry, the Maskol was rubbed away to portray wear and tear.

With the modifications to the intakes completed, work commenced on the cockpit. While the kit’s ‘office’ is pretty respectable, it was replaced with a more detailed Aires cockpit and instead of the Aires ejection seats with photo-etched (PE) metal, this modeller chose the Quickboost alternative, with complete resin harnesses cast in situ. Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black was used as the seat base colour, while the seat cushions were picked out in Gunze Sangyo H303 Green, H309 Green, and H340 Field Green. The belts were finished in H305 FS 36118 and H309 FS 34079, while the buckles were detailed in Rubber Black and aluminium before a MIG Productions Dark Wash was applied. Once this had dried, the excess was removed with a flat brush dipped in white spirit. Ejection handles were painted in yellow and black respectively, before the seat was finally sealed with two light coats of matt varnish and set aside for inclusion later in the build. As mentioned, along with the ejection seats the kit cockpit tub was

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removed for a more detailed resin alternative, provide by Aires. Before any detailing commenced, the resin casting blocks from all parts had to be removed. As with all resin, care must be taken to not only prepare the parts for the model, through washing with soapy water to remove any casting release agent (which hampers paint adhesion).

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RAF F-4J (UK) MODEL BUILD

EXT E RN AL DIF F E REN CES BETWEEN US F - 4J AN D F - 4J (UK) Unofficially dubbed the Phantom FGR.3, the F-4J (UK) bore subtle differences to the standard fit of the original US Navy ‘Juliet’ airframes. These were as follows: • Externally mounted rear mirror on top, and a periscope fixed on the side, both between the front and canopies • Upgraded weapons systems including BAe Skyflash and AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles • Removal of UHF antenna from the spine and AN/APR-32 RHAW antennas from under the air intakes • Sanders AN/ALQ-126 DECM antennas on the intake shoulders were not removed, but were made redundant

 Aires exhaust nozzles were used in favour of the kit parts. These were primed in Alclad II Gloss Black and finished in Tamiya Clear Green over Alclad Jet Exhaust.

It’s also highly advisable to avoid breathing in dust from the removal of each part, and a mask is recommended. Once completed, the underside of the cockpit tub was thinned and dry-fitted until the positioning was deemed acceptable. This resulted in the floor plan to the front cockpit section being almost transparent. The cockpit tub and instrument panel were finished in Gunze H317 FS 36231 Grey, and the instrument panels were picked out in Rubber Black, with switches in grey, before dry-brushing with light grey to enhance detail and add depth. Various side wall panels received H340 and Rubber Black, and the The prominent vertical fin was constructed and test-fitted, but was not attached permanently until later in the build to ease with painting (it would be black overall).

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 The detail on each canopy section was enhanced thanks to photo-etched metal parts supplied with the Aires cockpit set.

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MODEL BUILD RAF F-4J (UK)

 The heat-resistant titanium tail cone, horizontal stabilisers and arrester hook were prepared with Alclad Gloss Black Primer, followed by the same firm’s ALC-102 Duraluminium, among other shades. Tamiya’s Phantom undercarriage came in hybrid form, with styrene casings around white metal cores for, strength and great detail.

control stick was finished in H302 and Rubber Black. Once completed, MIG Productions' Dark Wash was applied and when dry, excess was removed with a white spirit-moistened flat brush. The use of reference books at this stage, in particular ‘Uncovering the US Navy Q/F-4 B/J/N/S Phantom’ by Danny Coremans, proved invaluable, as all aspects of the Phantom cockpit were photographed in great detail. Work on the internal cockpit section culminated in the completion of the forward and rear instrument panels, and coaming, with the use of resin and PE to form the operational interface for the crew. The coaming was painted initially in Rubber Black and then dry-brushed in light grey to enhance the detail. The green head-up display (HUD) lens in the front coaming was painted silver, followed by Tamiya X-25 Clear Green in the recess to create the desired effect. The HUD lens was fixed in place with Johnson’s Klear to avoid any misting of the glazing. This same effect was used on the front and rear radar scopes, but with Tamiya X-28 Clear Orange instead of Clear Green. With the resin parts painted, attention was then afforded to the PE parts, as the instruments were painted black but fitted into the grey console. These were first painted in FS 36231, while the instruments were accentuated with Rubber Black. As the PE dried, the acetate instrument dials were painted white and cut out carefully with a scalpel. These were

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then secured in place with thin CA and left to dry, before being attached to the resin with the same adhesive.

FUSELAGE INTERIOR Prior to the fuselage being sealed, the internal sections were completed with the jet pipes and exhaust nozzles of the General Electric J-79-10B smokeless engines. Jet pipe detail provided in the kit was best described as basic, and so the decision to replace these with an Aires exhaust nozzle set didn’t take long. Once prepared, the jet pipes were finished with Alclad II ALC-112 Jet Exhaust, followed by two light coats of Clear Green, before the actual nozzles themselves were finished with Jet Exhaust; light dry-brushing finally enhanced the impressive detail. Further work and embellishment was carried out on the canopy rails. Study of reference photos showed these to be high-wear areas, where the crew climbed in and out of the cockpit, so primer and bare metal peeped through the black-painted rails. To replicate this,

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RAF F-4J (UK) MODEL BUILD

a base coat of aluminium was applied and sealed with Alclad II Aqua Gloss. A light layer of Tamiya XF-4 Yellow Green was then applied and when dry, a cocktail stick was used to pick away to reveal the under surface. The process was then repeated; this time a top coat of Rubber Black was used and light grey was dry-brushed to represent highlighted detail. With all of the internal section completed, each element was fixed in place with thin CA.

MAINPLANES Once the fuselage was completed, the build progressed with the installation of the one-piece lower front wing section. The wings actually comprised six parts, inclusive of internal undercarriage detail and flaperons, all of which were finely detailed with accurate rivets and pleasing moulded panel lines; it all constructed with ease. Prior to glue being applied, the hard-points were drilled out of the lower wing sections with a 1mm drill bit, and the main

 The horizontal stabilisers were finished in Alclad II Duraluminium and Lifecolor FS 35414.

REFERENCES F-4 Phantom II in detail & scale Part 3, by Bert Kinzey (Airlife Publishing Ltd), ISBN: 0-85368-588-6 Uncovering the US Navy Q/F-4 B/J/N/S Phantom, by Danny Coremans (Daco Publications), ISBN: 978-90806747-9-0 McDonnell F-4 Phantom Spirit in the Skies, by Jon Lake (Aerospace Publishing Ltd), ISBN: 1-88058804-8

 Fuselage construction was completed by joining the nose and outer wings to the rest of the airframe. Minor seam filling was only required on the nose and intakes, but filler was also used to blank off the catapult hook recesses...the hooks were not employed on the F-4J (UK).

FGR.2 Phantom No. 92 Squadron Royal Air Force Lock On (Verlinden Publications), ISBN: 90-7093223-7

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MODEL BUILD RAF F-4J (UK)

 The lower wing was mated with the upper wing with the assistance of self-tapping screws provided in the kit, and sealed with liquid cement. The underside of the airframe then received three coats of Gunze H332 Light Aircraft Grey.  With the main fuselage painting completed, the undercarriage and airbrake bays were finished in gloss white.

A F T E R - M A RK E T RO U N D - U P Aires (www.aires.cz) McDonnell F-4E through to S Exhaust nozzles (2009) McDonnell F-4J/S Phantom Cockpit (2062) Aerobonus AIM-9L Seeker head cover with RBF Tags (QAB320005) Quickboost McDonnell F-4 Phantom ejection seats with seat belts (QB32069) DMold Modelworks (www.dmold-modelworks.com) F-4 seamless intakes (DM32001) Eduard (www.eduard.cz) Brassin McDonnell F-4J/F-4S Phantom Wheels (ED632006) Remove Before Flight Tags (32501) McDonnell F-4E/F-4J Phantom paint masks (EDJX004)

wing was secured with liquid cement and left to dry. All join seams were then removed carefully with sanding sponges and polished to a smooth surface. The outer wing assembly was mated to the inner, making sure that each wing sat at the correct angle before being glued in place. Further work involved the fuselage being mated with the nose cone; care was taken to align these correctly to avoid any filling or sanding. All delicate items such as antennas and airbrakes were not installed at this stage, but set aside for attachment once the main model was completed. The fuselage section was finished with the exception of the vertical fin and tail cone structure, omitted at this stage to ease painting.

THAT TROUBLESOME ‘GREY’ The overall finish of the F-4J (UK) is one of the most debated among

Yellowhammer F-4J (UK) 74 Tiger Squadron, RAF (YHD32005) Wolfpack Design (www.wolfpack-d.com) SUU-23/A 20mm Vulcan Pod (WP32063)

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Phantom fans. While the RAF’s original air defence FG.1s and FGR.2s wore Medium Sea Grey, Barley Grey and Light Aircraft Grey, F-4J (UK)s were painted in the USA before delivery, and the shades were only a similar match to British Standard colours. The upper surface was close to Flint Gray FS 36314, but if the upper inner wings were painted in a shade close to Neutral Gray FS36270 (as some sources state), the difference is negligible in photos. The undersides were finished in a shade akin to Light Gull Gray FS 36440. Of the 15 aircraft delivered, nine were reported to have a blue-turquoise tint to the upper colour; this may arguably have been due to a mix-up in the primer specification by the Mexican paint manufacturers at the time. At least four F-4J (UK) airframes received a complete overhaul in mid-1989, with fresh paint to match the FGR.2 Fleet. These were: ZE354/R, ZE357/N, ZE361/P and ZE364/Z. The decals selected for this build were from Yellowhammer and can still be found at shows and on the internet. This package featured all serials, associated stencils and included the ZE355/S 1988 NATO Tiger Meet scheme, with striking tiger nose art. Yellowhammer also

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RAF F-4J (UK) MODEL BUILD  Undercarriage legs and wheel hubs were finished in gloss white and weathered with MIG Productions’ Dark Wash. Once dried, matt varnish was then applied to the wheels.

provided a list of the corresponding pilots and navigators, which gives the modeller a number of choices from the delivery turquoise-blue scheme to post-overhaul liveries, where the aircraft were finished in proper British colours. This modeller’s preference was to replicate the blue-turquoise hue as it was much more distinctive and unique. Once the surfaces had been prepared via sanding and polishing,

the whole upper airframe received two light coats of Tamiya XF-4 Yellow Green, mixed 50-50 with X-22 Clear as primer, and sprayed at approximately 30psi (2 bar). Then, three light coats of Lifecolor UA124 FS35414 were applied to the upper section to give the desired turquoise-blue hue over the garish primer. Underside painting followed and the demarcation was set by thinly cut strips of 1mm tape in the desired

 The kit ejection seats were replaced with Quickboost resin items. References were used to ensure accurate painting.

areas. Three light layers of Gunze H332 were duly applied and left to dry overnight. Finally, the tops of the inner wing sections were finished in H306 FS 36270, but when compared to reference photos the finish seemed too dark. Further image study revealed that the inner wing sections appeared to be the same colour as the upper fuselage,

MIG Productions’ Dark Wash was applied to the upper and lower surfaces and, once dried, was removed with a flat brush dipped in white spirit, worked in the direction of the airflow.  Eduard Brassin resin wheels usurped the kit’s plastic versions. These were painted Rubber Black over German Grey. Thin strips of tape protect the tread pattern during spraying.

The cockpit section was completed with the coaming being installed to the front and rear.

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MODEL BUILD RAF F-4J (UK)  The trademark four-piece glazing was masked and finished in FS 35414, while the PE canopy rails were fixed in place with thin CA and finished in Rubber Black. Scrap plastic formed the navigator’s periscope in the centre portion’s side panel.

A Wolfpack Design SUU-23/A 20mm Vulcan Pod was used to complete this F-4’s quick reaction alert weapons load.

and so the later colour was sprayed over the wings. Next, the vertical fin was finished in gloss black and set aside to dry, before it would receive its decals. The radome was also masked and finished in Gunze H334 Barley Grey to give a slight demarcation between the two camouflage tones. Though this does not represent the initial delivery scheme, reference photos showed a number of F-4J (UK)s with this finish, presumably as a result of servicing and replacement parts.

TRADEMARK REAR END It was time to replicate the idiosyncratic colours of the heatresistant titanium tail cone structure and horizontal stabilisers...well known to any Phantom enthusiast. This whole section was given three light coats of Alclad II Gloss Black Primer, followed by the same firm’s ALC-102 Duraluminium. Various

shades of Alclad were then used to add depth and variety of tone; these included ALC-113 Jet Exhaust, ALC-104 Pale Burnt Metal, ALC413 Hotmetal Blue and ALC-416 Hotmetal Sepia. The tail section, inclusive of the vertical fin, was then mated with the fuselage via the supplied screws and liquid cement. Painting was completed in the wheel and airbrake bays, which were masked and sprayed gloss white. All parts were then eventually coated with three layers of Alclad Aqua Gloss varnish before the decals were applied. These all performed flawlessly and once positioned, Mr. Hobby setting solution forced them into the panel line engraving to

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 The exhaust petals received Alclad ALC-112 Jet Exhaust and detail was highlighted with a graphite pencil.

create a painted-on effect. The airframe was sealed with a heavily diluted 50-50 mix of Vallejo 70.520 Matt Varnish and Tamiya X-22 Clear, to give an appropriate satin finish often seen on aircraft of this era. After 24 hours’ drying, weathering was accomplished with MIG Productions’ Dark Wash added to recesses and when dry, the excess was removed with a flat brush dipped in white spirit. Further streaks were created on the airframe were replicated with AK Interactive's AK025 Fuel Stains and Ammo-MIG 1408 Fresh Engine Oil.

AIR-TO-AIR ARMOURY A full live-armed war load was desirable for this build. Included within the Tamiya kit were four AIM-7 Sparrow and four AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, the latter of which were not used on UK Phantom variants. Thus, a trip to the spares box was required and replacement Academy AIM9Ls were duly sourced. These were finished in gloss white with the seeker head painted in Tamiya XF-56 Metallic Grey. The weapons were dressed with Aerobonus AIM-9L seeker head covers, painted in Tamiya X-8 Lemon Yellow, with 'remove before flight' tags added for extra detail. Next, the AIM-7s were built and finished in gloss white, with Gunze H21 Off White on the seeker heads. Decals were applied and set aside for final completion. The load was

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crowned by a Wolfpack SUU-23/A 20mm Vulcan Pod. Built from solid resin, the gun was constructed and finished in H334 Barley Grey on the casing, and Alclad II ALC-120 Gun Metal on the barrel. Light weathering was applied with MIG Productions’ Dark Wash and consideration was given to the airflow pattern. Attention then turned to the undercarriage; included in the Tamiya kit were white metal core units with plastic outer sections, to provide sharp detail...these were fixed in place with thin CA and then

painted gloss white, while the oleos received a dash of aluminium. Eduard Brassin F-4J/F-4S Phantom wheels were used instead of the kit versions, in a bid for better detail. Tyres were sprayed Tyre Black, the hubs got a layer of Tamiya XF-63 German Grey and the rims were finished in gloss white. The undercarriage legs and tyres were weathered lightly with MIG Productions’ Dark Wash. Once dried, the wash was removed, but remnants had gathered in the recesses to act as shadows and dirt.

SCRATCH PERISCOPE

 Oil and fuel stains were achieved with AK Interactive's Fuel Stains and Ammo-MIG Fresh Engine Oil. This was left to dry, before the excess was removed with a flat brush moistened with white spirit.

With the completion of the paint scheme, focus returned to the cockpit section and the Phantom’s glazing comprised four separate sections. Masking was aided by Eduard F-4E/F-4J Phantom paint masks and the clear parts were finished in the fuselage colour where appropriate. Further detail was added with remaining PE from the Aires cockpit set, in the form of canopy rails/locks, moulded into shape and fixed in position with thin CA. Once

 The vertical fin was painted gloss back, while the stabilator feel system pressure heads were picked out in aluminium. 74 Squadron’s famous Tiger decals were added via Yellowhammer Models' sheet, and sealed with Gunze Mr. Hobby setting solution.  AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles were not included in the Tamiya kit, and so were sourced from the spares box. Aerobonus seeker head covers were added for extra detail.

All the remaining fragile parts, such as the refuelling probe and canopies, were added to complete the construction process.

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MODEL BUILD RAF F-4J (UK)  Armed to the teeth! A full load comprised four AIM-7 Sparrows, the same number of AIM9L Sidewinders and an SUU-23/A Vulcan cannon. The latter featured the longer rear fairing, which, on the real gun, housed the ammunition loading handle.

dried, these were painted Rubber Black and dry-brushed to accentuate the detail. They were then attached to the glazing, and mirrors were also fixed at this point with Microscale’s Kristal Klear. The centre portion of the windshield was finished in Clear Green and set in place with liquid cement. And with the periscope used by the navigator in mind, a scratchbuilt item was fashioned from spare parts, painted in the fuselage colour and fixed in place with liquid cement. Final construction was completed with the canopies, undercarriage and doors, airbrakes, fuel probe and Eduard RBF tags.

A GREAT MARRIAGE The mix of a fine donor kit and aftermarket resin parts resulted in an accurate presentation of the F-4J (UK). ‘I Fear No Man’, 74 Squadron’s motto, could have been written for the F-4 itself, and it prompts one to consider the airframe’s striking lines and aggressive shape...both reproduced faithfully here and set off by the simple, yet effective decals and unique colour scheme. Cost and availability of certain after-market parts were the only issue in producing a great replica; more than half of the original kit was not used, but ultimately this was a challenging and exciting project.

MAT ER I ALS Alclad II (www.alclad2.com) ALC-102 Duraluminium ALC-104 Pale Burnt Metal ALC-113 Jet Exhaust ALC-121 Burnt Iron ALC-413 Hotmetal Sepia ALC-416 Hotmetal Sepia Lifecolor (www.airbrushes.com) UA 124 Japanese Greygreen A5 Gunze Sangyo (www. modeldesignconstruction.co.uk) H334 Barley Grey H332 Light Aircraft Grey H1 Gloss White H317 Gray FS 36231 H303Green FS 34102 H309 Green FS 34079 H340 Field Green FS 34097 Tamiya (www.tamiya.com) XF-4 Yellow Green XF-16 Flat Aluminium XF-56 Metallic Grey XF-63 German Grey XF-85 Rubber Black X-1 Gloss Black X-2 Gloss White X-8 Lemon Yellow X-25 Clear Green X-27 Clear Red X-28 Clear Orange AK Interactive (www.ak-interactive.com) AK025 Fuel Stains Ammo-MIG (www.migjimenez.com) Ammo-Mig 1408 Fresh Engine Oil

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IN FOCUS F-4J (UK)

STOP-GAP

DEFENDER

Former F-4J(UK) back-seater Ian Black recounts the story of how this US Phantom sub-type entered RAF service

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F-4J (UK) IN FOCUS  The appropriately coded ‘J’ breaks away from the camera ship – flown by ex-Red Arrows Pilot Flt Lt Barry Cross. Seen near the end of its life, this F-4 (UK) sports the ‘preferred ‘ fit of centreline tank, single blue ballast Skyflash (concrete, to balance the aircraft’s centre of gravity of gravity) and a training AIM-9L on the wing station. Modellers should note the extensive staining on the underside.

T

he RAF’s acquisition of the McDonnell Douglas F-4J is about as convoluted as can be imagined. While the UK had relied previously on the USA for aircraft such as the F-86 Sabre through the Lend-Lease programme, the F-4J procurement story is more perplexing. Early 1960s Aviation magazines proudly stated that the UK would replace its ageing Scimitar, Sea Vixens and Hunters with the futuristic P1154 Supersonic V/STL fighter. When this was cancelled the Royal Navy still needed a replacement and it turned once again to the USA, and looked to buy the relatively new McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. Perhaps by some fairly deft marketing, the UK was led to believe that the US/UK F-4 was a marriage made in heaven – the McDonnell Douglas airframe would be fitted with the Rolls Royce Spey engine (a derivative of the Blackburn

Buccaneer’s powerplant but with added reheat). This ‘super’ Phantom would have all the benefits of the US version but with a UK powerplant, which would give enough power to operate the F-4 off smaller aircraft carriers…in theory! History has shown that the marriage was more ‘arranged’ than had a chance meeting occurred. The US forces were very happy with the J79 powerplant (apart from the smoke, but this was cured

eventually). Ultimately the US Navy improved the F-4B into the F-4J during the early 1960s and this became to some the ultimate F-4; the aircraft that performed well in Vietnam and equipped the Blue Angels for a time, to many the F-4J leads all marks of Phantom.

A CONVOLUTED JOURNEY How the RAF ended up with the ‘J’ is a book in itself – this was the version it should have just bought off the shelf and saved the UK millions of pounds. The UK ordered the F-4K (Royal Navy) and F-4M (RAF) but the fitting of the Rolls-Royce Spey proved a disaster early in its life. So bad was the problem with engine failures that the Phantom OCU was closed temporarily and all serviceable engines were delivered to frontline Squadrons in RAF Germany.

While the engine was good technically, the fitting of the two powerplants into the fuselage required a complete redesign of the rear end, and the result was disappointing. However, the RAF persevered and the F-4K/M became the backbone of the UK’s strike and strike and air defence squadrons throughout the 1970s and 80s. By 1983 much had changed in the way the RAF operated and a collection of circumstances, mainly the deployment of a squadron (in reality a flight of

 Crewing-in at RAF Leeming during a landaway; the aircrew are wearing standard RAF Immersion suits, indicating that the aircraft has been fitted with RAF-style Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seats and not the original US Navy units fitted at the time of the aircrafts’ delivery.

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IN FOCUS F-4J (UK)

four aircraft) to the Falkland Islands meant the RAF on paper was short of an air defence unit at home. And so the decision was made to replace the deployed Falklands aircraft with an unspecified type to bolster UK air defence. Although the shopping list was blank it might have been the ideal time to modernise the RAF inventory and buy off-the-shelf F-15s surplus to US requirements. However, 1983 was also when the Panavia Tornado F.2 was coming to fruition, and so a squadron of F-15s would not have been popular with British/European industry. Having exhausted all options, the

RAF decided it wanted to acquire the F-4S – an updated version of the F-4J with the much-needed wing leading edge slats...a modification embodied after hard lessons learnt during the Vietnam conflict, where so many F-4s were lost due to poor turning performance. Sadly, the US Navy was coming to the end of its F-4J/S rework programme and this presented the RAF with major problems. There were no F-4Ss available as the US Navy needed them all; also the Service Life Extension Programme for the S-model was coming to an end and no parts were available for the RAF to incorporate its own modifications

 ‘Tango’ at its home base of RAF Wattisham. With the wings folded it was easier for the ground crew to park the jets in the hardened aircraft shelters. The leading edge flaps are deployed, but these are not the same as the slats fitted to the F4S.

into ‘new build’ Js. Added to this, the US Navy had scoured DavisMonthan’s ‘Boneyard’, otherwise known as the Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Centre (AMARC), to cherry-pick the best available airframes for its own needs, and what was left was the oldest, most tired airframes in store. But the RAF had no choice and selected 15 airframes (enough to equip one frontline unit); but it immediately rejected three and looked for replacements. Finally, a mix from Davis-Monthan and the storage area at the US Naval Rework Facility yielded sufficient aircraft. These would all be gathered at the one location, the Naval Air Rework Facility North Island, on the west Coast of the USA. Getting the RAF’s newest fighter squadron to North Island involved one-flight-only missions from Davis Monthan, or in one case the attempt to airlift an airframe from the desert under-slung beneath a US Marine Corps CH-53 Super Stallion. This idea was abandoned after the first aircraft was dumped into the sea, after the load became unstable! Once at North Island the aircraft were stripped completely and allocated numbers in the 900-914 range prior to RAF serial allocation.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION What the RAF needed was a Phantom that was in every respect compatible with the UK’s air defence system. From  Leeming pre-start: of note are the intake blisters which housed radar warning receivers while in US Navy service. Some F-4J (UK)s had these on the intake, while others did not. Note the paint demarcation line on the weathered radome.

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F-4J (UK) IN FOCUS a weapons perspective this meant the Js would need to carry the BAe Sky Flash radar-guided missile, as well as the AIM-9L sidewinder and SUU-23A gun pod. The radar would need to be ‘tweaked’ to incorporate the latest upgraded Ferranti systems the RAF had in place. Other commonality issues included the need to incorporate a countermeasures suite – chaff and flares and a radar warning receiver (RWR). The US Js sported the ALE-29A system, not the same as the RAF’s ALE-40 (mounted behind a sidewinder pylon) although equally good. The RWR proved the most difficult obstacle; the RAF had instigated a fleet-wide modification in the late 1970s and early 80s of introducing RWR onto the F-4 as well as the instrument landing system, also mounted on the fin. These two modifications gave British Phantoms the unique squared-off tail

 Here is one of the few F-4J (UK)s , ZE354/R, that underwent major servicing at RAF St Athan prior to the type’s withdrawal. The handful of aircraft that were serviced was also repainted in standard RAF Air Defence greys, but still didn’t quite look like the FG.1/FGR.2, due to the J79 jet pipes.

of bulky, pre-positioned equipment (having said this, the F-4K Phantom had no internal battery and relied on an external electrical power supply) but the ex-US Navy Js need an airstart system. These large ground support equipment units provided

In August 1983 a team of RAF engineers left the UK to prepare 15 airframes for squadron service in just 12 months, and the first example landed at North Island in November 1983. Once the 15 aircraft were on site, each was stripped to bare metal

enough air for the engine to turn and then start, once fuel and ignition was supplied. This problem could not be overcome and so it was decided to carry on, but with the proviso that only a few UK bases would be supplied with an air-start cart.

and rework commenced. It was soon clear that the airframes selected had been well used – battle damage repair patches were found, along with airframe corrosion, signs of over-stressing as well as salt water soaking. While the US Navy had

 Seen shortly after delivery, ZE354/R makes approaches at RAF Coningsby... devoid of the black tail, it carries standard wing tanks, which were soon removed prior to acceptance trials at RAF Boscombe Down.

fin and two blade aerials beneath. Initially the US Navy was prepared to incorporate the RWR into the existing fairings on the fin and forward intakes but this never materialised. Close inspection of individual airframes allocated for RAF use show that some had the intake blisters, while others did not. One of the biggest drivers in the choice of airframe for UK needs was that of air-to-air refuelling capability – this is what also effectively ruled out the F-15; it didn’t have the probe and drogue system but relied on a boom. The F-4J, being a navy aircraft, had the same probe system as UK F-4s so was a logical choice. However, the selection of the J79-powered Js did present another issue...that of starting the engines. As with other types, the RAF valued autonomy so aircraft could deploy and start without the help

 ‘Tango’ taxies in at RAF Valley after one of the first live Skyflash launches from an RAF F-4J (UK). The crew still wear US Navy flight helmets and the newly adopted black vertical tail.

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IN FOCUS F-4J (UK) kept ‘accurate’ records, they were perhaps not as thorough as the RAF would have liked. Now the RAF owned the aircraft the process of designation was resolved, as they would be known as the F-4J (UK) – this fitted in with the F-4K and F-4M – although the RAF had the terms FG.1 and FGR.2 to complicate

actual combat histories and served with the US Navy and US Marines with distinction. One (153783) was particularly famous as it had flown with the renowned VX-4 evaluation unit in smart ‘Black Bunny’ markings. The aircraft became ZE352 and miraculously, the cockpit section still survives with a private collector.

were given a short conversion course with VMFAT-101 at MCAS Yuma. By early August 1984, the first aircraft were ready and the plans laid out for the aircrafts’ transit back to the UK. With refuelling from VC-10 tankers, the Phantoms would be flown across the United States, stopping at WrightPatterson AFB, Goose Bay in Canada  A perfect upper view of the F-4J (UK), showing the unique colour – of note are the outer wing panels, which appear to be in standard RAF Air Defence grey...so may have been replaced while in service.

matters; the Js were never known officially as Phantom FGR.3s. With airframe lives of around 2,000 to 4,000 hours, the ‘new’ Js were in fact older than most of the RAF’s original Phantoms. Many of the ‘J’ airframes had

FERRY TRIP By the early summer of 1984, RAF crews began to arrive in California to collect their new machines. While all pilots and navigators were experienced Phantom users (and some had flown the F-4 on exchange) they

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 Newly delivered ZE354 displays its re-work number 903 on the nose wheel door.

and then to their new location at RAF Wattisham, Suffolk (transit would take three days). The first aircraft to arrive in the UK was ZE359 flown by the new Officer Commanding, Wg Cdr Dick Northcoat. Intercepted by resident 56 Squadron FGR.2s, it was plain to see these were not RAF Phantoms. Having been stripped to bare metal, the airframes were then coated with zinc-chromate primer, followed by an approximation of RAF Air Defence Grey paint, which gave the RAF F-4J its unique colour. In fact, no two aircraft looked the same...some assumed a very green appearance while others more closely resembled the standard RAF Barley Grey already in use. Having been allocated three-digit 900-series numbers, the airframes then took on RAF-style serials in the range ZE350-ZE364. The RAF chose 74 Squadron as the number plate, which had been dormant since 1970 when the unit disbanded with Lightning F.6s in Singapore. Each Aircraft adopted a single letter and

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F-4J (UK) IN FOCUS soon, enough aircraft had arrived to spell TIGER SQN across the rudders. The rest were allocated random codes not used by the sister 56 Squadron, the Firebirds. By November the Tigers were almost up to full strength but one aircraft, ZE363/906, had been stuck in Goose Bay with a technical fault. In keeping with tradition (and away from home-based RAF top brass), the crew soon painted the vertical fin black prior to the aircraft’s return to the UK. Despite the ‘no coloured fins’ policy, the Tigers adopted the black fins fleet-wide after some variations of style.

BARGAIN BASEMENT In the end the cost had been around £33 million or £2.2 million per aircraft...a small price for an entire fighter squadron. Planned simply as a stop-gap, the Js were short- lived in RAF service but much loved by their crews. The faster reheat and better high-level performance made them good air combat adversaries. By the late 1980s the Cold War was ending and the FGR.2s from RAF Wildenrath returned home, which freed enough airframes that the RAF decided to retire the Js early in an effort to maintain a

 ZE354 patrols the North Sea and displays one of the unique features of the RAF ‘Juliets’ – the open chaff and flare dispenser door mounted on the upper right rear of the fuselage.

common Spey-powered fleet. It didn’t stop a few F-4Js undergoing their first major service at St Athan and adopting the standard RAF threegrey (Barley, Medium Sea and Light Aircraft) scheme. Today, just one RAF J-model exists in a complete state, at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, but sadly (for some) it has been repainted in its former US Navy colour scheme (VF-74). While the history of the RAF’s second Phantom may have been short, the re-emergence of the Tiger

colours was a great boost to moral – the aircraft were seen at many air shows and deployed to Italy for the famous NATO Tiger Meet, where one aircraft gained a very large tiger’s head biting a Red star. Incredibly, just one airframe was lost in service (sadly with fatalities) and despite their age the RAF Js performed very well; we shall never know how things may have panned out had we received a squadron of F-15 Eagles or F-14 Tomcats!

 Ground crew help the pilot and navigator strap in. Differences on the J-model were the RWR antenna blisters on the intake and night formation lights, which were three yellow strips located on the fuselage, tail and nose area.

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IN FOCUS EDUARD PHANTOMS

Academy caused a stir with its newly tooled F-4B Phantom, but Czech firm Eduard has made it even more attractive by adding its own after-market delights. Chris Clifford explores the contents of both Limited Edition releases

CZECH HSIX! aving been a rabid ‘Phantom Phanatic’ since boyhood, I’ve seen and built most of the available F-4 kits over the years. Some are better than others, obviously, but I never quite understood why there was such a huge gap in time between the last of Hasegawa’s 1/48 scale offerings, and the launch of an entirely new Phantom kit in the same scale. Yes the Japanese firm’s F-4s are generally good, but still products of their time and a fresh set of styrene to modern moulding standards was arguably overdue. Enter Korea’s Academy brand; in 2012 it set the heart of every ‘Rhino’ fan racing when it released an allnew 1/48 F-4B in VF-111 ‘Sundowners’ markings, and then a C-model air force Phantom in Vietnam guise.

 Pre-coloured photo-etched metal lends a real air of authenticity to Eduard's Phantom cockpits.

 Eduard did a great job in replicating the engine exhaust nozzles on its Phantom releases. Detailed petals and rear engine faces, and full-length exhaust tubes, mean a high level of fidelity.

 The decision by Academy to mould the upper fuselage in one piece will pay real dividends... no sanding of a full-length seam along the top! SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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EDUARD PHANTOMS IN FOCUS (Illustration by Katerina Borecka Eduard – Model Accessories)

These trumped Hasegawa’s F-4s in various ways, such as having a onepiece fuselage section to negate the sanding of join seams (which means no detail is lost), and superior cockpit features. The B-model kit also provided all of the associated under-nose fairing shapes and vertical tail top formats, a deployed refuelling probe if desired, separate flaperons and the choice of slotted or unslotted stabilators. Other boxings will surely follow, as there are long and short intake DECM fairings on the runners and this denotes J, N and S sub-types. In the weapons

 The thin mainwheels of the F-4B/N have been well rendered; these resin items feature the nine hub holes, along with the outer ring of bolt holes and hexagonal centre nut. Nosewheel detail is just as fine.

MARYLAND MARKINGS

 BuNo. 151492, VF-84 ‘Jolly Rogers’, USS Independence, 1965

 BuNo. 152238, VMFA-542 ‘Bengals’, Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, 1966

 BuNo. 152258, VMFA-323 ‘Death Rattlers’, Chu Lai Air Base, South Vietnam, 1967

Maryland, USA-based company Furball Aero-Design (www.furballaero-design.com) was employed to design the markings and there’s a generous collection with both kits. Good Morning Da Nang is a slight misnomer, as it provides US Navy and Marine Corps F-4Bs from various bases, carriers and units during the Vietnam War. The schemes comprise: • 151492/206/AG, VF-84 ‘Jolly Rogers’, USS Independence, 1965 (with Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club badge on the fuselage and Rolling Thunder mission tallies on the splitter plates) • 152238/1/WH ‘Tiger Lead’, VMFA-542 ‘Bengals’, Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, 1965 • 152258/11/WS, VMFA-323 ‘Death Rattlers’, Chu Lai AB, South Vietnam, 1967 • 153020/100/NF, Lt Cdr Ronald ‘Mugs’ McKeown and Lt John ‘Jack’ Ensch, VF-161 ‘Chargers’, USS Midway, May 1972 (two MiG kills and rainbow ‘USS Midway’ legends • 153019/201/NL, Lt Garry Weigand and Lt (JG) William Freckleton, VF-111 ‘Sundowners’, USS Coral Sea, March 1972 (MiG/An-2 kills and full sunburst tail)

 BuNo. 153020, VF-161 ‘Chargers’, USS Midway, May 1972

 BuNo. 153019, VF-111 ‘Sundowners’, USS Coral Sea, March 1972

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IN FOCUS EDUARD PHANTOMS

INDEPENDENCE department, one gets five styles of AIM-9 Sidewinder (B/D/E/J/L), Mk.82 ‘slick’ bombs with separate fuze extender options, and triple/multiple ejector racks. An SUU-23/A gun pod also features but this is purely for use on the F-4C/D.

CZECH EMBELLISHMENT With its record of marrying new detail upgrades to other manufacturer’s kits, Eduard from the Czech Republic delighted modellers when it released two Limited Edition versions of Academy’s F-4B. The first, dubbed Good

Morning Da Nang (kit no.1186), offered the standard styrene parts but moulded purely in grey styrene, rather than the black, white and grey of the original Academy boxing. It was followed by the F-4N-centric Bicentennial Phantoms (1190), but both were enlivened by exquisite Brassin resin parts, plain and pre-coloured photo-etched (PE) metal,

 F-4N 151433, VF-161 ‘Chargers’, USS Midway, 1976

 The Martin-Baker Mk.7 seats are reproduced faithfully in resin, with crisp casting of the many components. (Profile illustrations by Geoff Martin – Furball)

The markings to celebrate 200 years of American independence were some of the most dazzling applied to any Phantom. Eduard’s kit provides five stunners…all F-4Ns from the US Navy in 1976. They are: • 151433/100/NF, CAG Cdr Jack Finley, VF-161 ‘Chargers’, USS Midway • 150452/201/NF, Cdr Jim Curry, VF-151 ‘Vigilantes’, USS Midway • 152293/202/NM, Cdr Tom Clift, VF-111 ‘Sundowners’, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt • 150442/200/ND, Cdr Norm Campbell (CVWR-30 CO), VF-302 ‘Stallions’, NAS Miramar • 150476/76/NL, VF-51 ‘Screaming Eagles’, USS Coral Sea Both releases also come with a second large decal sheet that carries stencilling, walkways and national insignia.

 F-4N 150452, VF-151 ‘Vigilantes’, USS Midway, 1976

 F-4N 152293, VF-111 ‘Sundowners’, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1976

tape masks and all-new decals on a theme. The resin comprised beautiful afterburner cans for the General Electric J79-GE-8 engines, along with full exhaust tubes and inner rear portions of the engines themselves (with PE details for the latter). Also included were splendid ejection seats (little kits in their own right, detailed with supplied PE and fabric parts), nose and main wheels. Tape masks featured, too, for the cockpit glazing and wheels. Ultimately, Eduard has taken something good and made it much better. Let’s hope the company doesn’t stop here, and offers another package for ‘Rhino lovers’...Air National Guard F-4Cs get my vote! For further details on these kits, visit: www.eduard.com

 F-4N 150442, VF-302 ‘Stallions’, NAS Miramar, 1976

 F-4N 150476, VF-51 ‘Screaming Eagles’, USS Coral Sea, 1976

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MODEL BUILD US NAVY QF-4B

MISSILE BAIT Got a Hasegawa 1/48 F-4J kicking around but want to do something different with it? Why not try a QF-4B drone conversion, tackled here by Garry Tobiss

M

cDonnell Douglas Phantom F-4As entered service with the US Navy in December 1960, where they were used for training and development. It was the ‘B’ variant, the first major production type, which entering service in June 1961 that first saw combat;

Hasegawa’s kit components for the double ‘office’ were quite basic. Note the assembled kit-supplied ejection seat.

 The Eduard photo-etched metal backdated the instruments to an F-4B, with a little surgery. Reference photos and some imagination were used to finish the parts as a QF-4B.

F-4Bs from the USS Constellation provided air cover over Vietnam for other aircraft attacking ground targets. The ‘B’ variant was equipped with the more powerful General Electric J79-GE8/8B turbojet engines, which provided more thrust and consequently needed slightly larger air intakes. F-4Bs armed with Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles were used mainly for fleet defence but SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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US NAVY QF-4B MODEL BUILD they also had a ground-attack capability. The huge airframe and substantial available thrust allowed an ordnance load of up to 16,000lb (7,258kg), which could include nuclear weapons, napalm, missiles or conventional bombs. Production of the F-4B ended in 1967, with a total of 649 examples.

AF T E RMARK E T DEC ALS Kits World recently produced a two-option sheet for the F-4B, and one of the schemes was for an International Orange QF-4B...perfect for this build’s requirements. The actual aircraft offered was: QF-4B18, ‘Big Tonka Toy’ BuNo 148393/Modex 47, Pacific Missile Test Center, NAS Point Mugu, 1970s.

ENTER THE ‘J’ Operational experience with the F-4B led to a further US Navy specification that called for improved take-off and landing performance, as well as enhanced ground- attack prowess. This resulted in the development of the F-4J variant; ‘C’ and ‘D’ sub-types had already been delivered to the US Air Force but the ‘J’ was the US Navy’s upgrade from the ‘B’. More powerful General Electric J79-GE-10 engines were fitted, along with slotted stabilators. The latter were developed together with Hawker Siddeley as part of the UK’s Buccaneer programme, to reduce landing speeds. Empty weight increased from 28,000lb (12,701kg) to 30,770lb (13,957kg), which necessitated the introduction of strengthened undercarriage. As with modifications first seen on US Air

Here are the two ejection seats, one complete and the other under construction; detail levels were incredibly high. Note the red stencilling on the seat pad (right).

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 The other decal sheet employed here was from Furball Aero-Design (48-014), which carried really useful red trim for the undercarriage doors on US Navy/US Marine Corps Phantoms. The decals would be much quicker and neater than painting the door edges with a brush.

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MODEL BUILD US NAVY QF-4B

MODEL SPEC BY:

HASEGAWA

STOCK CODE: 07206

SCALE:  Surface detail for the curiously named ‘slime lights’ (highlighted with tape) had to be sanded away since these formation devices were not present on navy Phantoms.

1/48

PRICE: £30.00

AVAILABLE AT: Various retailers

Force F-4Cs, this involved adding a bulge to the upper wings plus the flaps and undercarriage doors, so wider tyres could be accommodated. The infra red sensor gear under the nose was deleted (although the fairing was retained) and a small antenna was added.

A DOG’S LIFE

 A ‘Flexi-file’ from Albion Alloys was used on the fuselage seam. This frame supplied tension for several interchangeable grades of abrasive paper, and ensured a curved sanding surface that avoided creating flat areas while sanding.

 Royale Resin suggested carving out the front of the fuselage halves, to slot in the resin radome. Weights were added to the resin and inner airframe to prevent potential tail-sitting.

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This build is of a QF-4B, and ‘Q’ signifies a drone conversion. These ex-Navy aircraft were modified from stock F-4Bs so they could be flown conventionally with a pilot...but also remotely, usually from the ground but potentially from a Vought DF-8L Crusader drone director aircraft. QF-4Bs were used in various combat trials, weapons research and electronic countermeasures programmes. A Full Size Aerial Target (FSAT) had representative damage resistance, infra red signature and performance. It could also deploy countermeasures, so was the definitive method of truly testing various scenarios with new live missile systems. F-4B conversions to QF standard were carried out by Tracor Flight Systems (now BAE Systems) and the first aircraft were flown in 1970. The

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US NAVY QF-4B MODEL BUILD

Eduard PE cockpit sills added even more detail to this already busy area.

R OYA L E RES I N The centrepiece for the conversion came from the Royale Resin kit shown here. It included a very well cast set of replacement (bulge-less) upper wings, wheels, undercarriage doors, flaps, small aerial (shown on its carrier), nose plus a vertical tail fin top. The latter was not used in the build and the wheels were replaced by Eduard Brassin versions.

process meant removal of all radar, armament, communications, navigation and autopilot equipment. Ballast was added in the nose to maintain the centre of gravity, and a UHF radio link was installed to allow for the remote piloting of the aircraft; carrier equipment was retained. QF-4Bs had prominent antennae, one in front of the windshield and another directly below under the nose, and these provided the radio link for the No On-board Live Operator (NOLO) missions. Later conversions included the capability to provide countermeasures plus sensors, scoring systems and photographic equipment. Drone conversion was a lengthy and expensive process so the majority of drone flights were manned, with ‘hits’ and ‘misses’ scored electronically. NOLO Phantom missions were flown from the ground where the drone, or ‘dog’, was used as a live target. A total of 44

Phantoms were converted to QF-4B designation and flew during the mid 1970s from the Naval Missile Centre, renamed Pacific Missile Test Centre, Point Mugu, California. More than 230 Phantoms of different models were converted and flown as drones from several bases, and photographs and footage of some being shot down during weapons trials are available on the internet. Creating a QF-4B from an F4-J kit required various after-market parts (see panels) to backdate the airframe.

SHOW TIME This was a relatively old kit and the instructions were dated 2005; however the surface detail on all Hasegawa’s F-4J boxings still compares reasonably well with more modern examples. It comprised one clear and seven light grey runners, although the lack of any stores or pylons on this build The bulk of the completed airframe. Note the scrap plastic taped to the tail, to protect the delicate leading-edge protrusions.

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MODEL BUILD US NAVY QF-4B

SH O P P I N G L I ST Several other after-market sets were used to enhance the basic Hasegawa model and many of these items were also needed to represent the ‘B’ variant. Some of the PE was not required, because the Royale Resin parts included the detail missing on the kit pieces.

 The Eduard Martin-Baker Mk.H7 ejection seat set displayed an astonishing level of detail. These were small kits in their own right.

 Main undercarriage doors on the ‘J’ (grey plastic) were also bulged, while the ‘B’ equivalents were flat.

 Detail was enhanced further with a pre-painted PE set for various seat straps and other embellishments.

 Chocks were provided with the Eduard Brassin wheels, which offered possibilities for a diorama. Painting masks for the wheels were also included, as well as PE undercarriage leg hydraulic lines.

meant that many components were consigned to the spares box. The canopy transparencies were dipped in Johnson’s Klear/Future polish and then set aside to dry. This polish added extra shine and protected the parts against scratches. All of the Royale Resin components were then cut, snipped and sawn off their casting blocks, and any resultant resin dust was cleaned away promptly.

 Eduard provided a bonus arrester hook assembly, was much more refined than the Hasegawa kit part.

The parts were then washed in warm soapy water to remove any release agent and make sure that all of the dust was dealt with. Work then started on the cockpit, but photos of a QF-4B ‘office’ were hard to find; in the end, images of later QF-4 variants were used for reference while the instrument panels were built. Pilot and fire control officer positions both received extensive photoetched (PE) metal additions, after the original surface detail on the kit parts had been sanded away. The QF-4 rear console had a hacked-about look in the photos, so segments of the PE were cut up and used to try and match them. The most obvious alteration was the removal of the radar screen. Two consoles with different formats were in the kit, so the empty housing was represented by drilling out the radar screen in one of the consoles, and then detaching the resultant frame and applying it to the second part. Other more subtle changes included repainting the ‘dog bone’ weapons selector under the pilot’s instrument panel, with red switches. The overall result was a reasonable approximation of a QF-4 cockpit, but it’s doubtful that absolute accuracy was achieved.

pre-painted PE that they were mini-kits in their own right. Assembling them showed that even those possessing the patience of Jobe would be tested! Two small PE parts, designed to act as stencils, were provided to spray paint tiny lettering on the seats...intriguing, but the detail was ultimately mostly covered by the webbing. But the ejection seats were highly visible in the open cockpit so time spent here was worth it. A very basic arrester hook was moulded as part of the fuselage. This was removed ready for replacement with the Eduard part that came as a ‘bonus’ with the exhaust nozzles set. The two fuselage halves were then joined and much work followed to make good the join seams, especially around the rear of the fuselage because these areas were eventually painted in a natural metal finish, so any blemish would show. A ‘flexi-

EJECT, EJECT!

file’ supplied by Albion Alloys (www. albionalloys.co.uk) was used and this turned out to be a very useful addition to the toolbox. Re-scribing the panel lines plus re-instating the rivet detail followed, before the PE sills for the two canopies were added. These were rather neat pieces that folded lengthwise to form a rightangle so that extra cockpit side detail was added.

There was a question over the ejection seats. Early Phantoms used the MartinBaker Mk.5 seats, while later models were fitted with Martin-Baker Mk.7s, which included the new under-seat rocket pack. Mk.5 installations were apparently replaced by Mk.7 variants by the 1970s so it seemed a reasonable guess to use the Eduard Mk.7 seats for the build. These had so many bits of

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US NAVY QF-4B MODEL BUILD Leaving these parts until after all of the sanding and re-scribing saved them from being damaged.

. . . THE RE’S M OR E!

SPOOK SURGERY Next came some minor conversion work on the kit’s lower wing, where the ‘J’ version bumps were carefully scraped off, sanded flat and surface detail re-scribed. The surrounding area was masked with tape during this operation to prevent any surrounding surface detail being destroyed or damaged; PE detail was then added to the wheel wells. Attention then turned to the two air intakes, and these assembled easily enough although there was little internal detail. The inside that joined to the fuselage had a strange gap that could just about be seen, so filler was applied to make it smooth. Next were the two replacement upper wings and these simply dropped straight onto the kit’s lower wing with no need for filler...impressive! The wing assembly was then bonded to the fuselage, where a very small gap was made good with filler. There was nothing in the instructions that mentioned adding weight to the

 Difficult to see in the photo, but F-4B flaps (left) were flat while the ‘J’ versions were bulged slightly.

 Eduard cockpit instrument panel upgrades came as pre-painted PE. Enhancements were included for the sidewalls and side consoles.

 The cockpit upgrade set included an extensive PE fret for adding detail on various parts of the airframe.

 Royale Resin’s nose gear doors supplied more surface detail than the kit items, and made the Eduard PE redundant in this area. Note that firm’s PE detail on the undercarriage leg.

nose of the model but a little was put in just in case, to prevent possible tail-sitting. Royale Resin suggested carving out the front of the fuselage to accept the radome, rather than using a bulkhead-to-bulkhead join. This worked very well with the replacement nose, which slotted straight into position with a tight fit – just a tiny amount of sanding was required to fair in the nose. The kit provided slotted stabilators with no rivet detail, so the choice was to add a mass of rivets plus fill in the slots and re-model the parts, or go for the easy option of after-market replacements. Time was a constraint during the

 A replacement set of Eduard exhausts was also used. This included the resin as shown plus a PE fret for internal detail. A replacement arrester hook was also supplied

 Replacement un-slotted stabilators from Hypersonic Models; the set will fit either Hasegawa or Academy 1/48 Phantoms and comes with a PE fret for extra detail.

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MODEL BUILD US NAVY QF-4B

F R O M ‘ J ’ TO ‘ B’ . . . PA RT 1

 The ‘J’ variant nose had the small AN/ APR-32 RHAW antenna, while the ‘B’ had the extended pod for the ACF electronics AAA-4 infrared detector – faithfully reproduced in the Royale Resin kit.

 The exhaust nozzles on F-4Js were longer than those for F-4Bs, and had different configurations. Eduard’s Brassin parts were almost a drop-in replacement and provided more detail.

The lower wing supplied in the kit was modified by removing the bulge ahead of the wheel wells plus reducing the height of the separator between the wells and flaps.

 A comparison between the ‘B’ (resin, left) and ‘J’ upper wings shows the prominent bulge for the wider tyres on the latter. There were also slightly different panel patterns on the wings.

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US NAVY QF-4B MODEL BUILD grey rather than black, so the decals were used as templates to make masks.

FULL METAL FINISH Next came the metal replication for the areas around the jet exhaust and on the stabilators – a very distinctive feature on Phantoms. Alclad II had produced excellent results for metal on previous builds, but the intention for this

F ROM ‘ J’ TO ‘ B ’ . . . PART 2

build, so resin parts were sourced and no real extra work was required. This completed the majority of the airframe and everything was then ready for painting.

EYE-POPPING COLOUR The model was cleaned with water and a small amount of washing-up liquid, to remove any finger marks or grease and then given a coat of Alclad II ALC306 White Primer and Microfiller (www.alclad2. com). There is some debate on whether a primer is required for enamel paints but in this case the primer was needed to make certain the join seams had been dealt with. Happily the primer coat did not highlight any major

imperfections but there was a ‘doh!’ moment when it became apparent that the attachment points and holes for the unused weapons pylons were staring through the primer – something that had been foolishly overlooked! This issue would have been easier to fix before the wings were attached. The surface detail for the attachment points was scraped and sanded off and

the holes plugged with scrap styrene shaped to the correct diameter by stretching it after gentle heating with a candle. Masking the wheel bays to paint them white resulted in some of the primer coming away from the resin parts – the styrene areas were sanded with Wet and Dry to prevent problems with the paint lifting after masking. International Orange (FS 12197) is only offered by a limited number of suppliers so Xtracolor enamels were selected. X-12 Night Black was used for the walkways and X104 International Orange was used for the main colour. Both were thinned to a ratio of roughly 50-50 with Hannants XDTT Quick Dry Thinners, and the paint was sprayed in thin layers to build the colour. It was the first time this modeller had used enamels in many years and the superfine high gloss finish of the paints came as a very welcome surprise – enamel materials technology has clearly progressed in the last decade! Patience was required because of the longer drying time...‘Quick Dry’ was clearly a relative term. Experimentation on scrap parts, of which there were many from the kit, showed that the enamel was touch-dry in about 12 hours. Even so, everything was left for 48 hours to ensure the enamel was hardened fully to minimise the risk of paint being lifted by masking tape used in subsequent steps. The walkways, anti-glare panel and parts of the airframe that would be bare metal were painted black and left aside to dry. Eduard masks were applied to the canopies – a big time saver and worth the small investment. The kit offered decals for the walkways but they were

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 The original F-4Bs did not have slotted stabilators as seen on the F-4J, although many surviving F-4Bs were retrofitted. Note the triangular ‘fishtail’ surface detail – not present on US Navy/Marines Phantoms.

 Resin stabilators represented versions without slotted leading edges and had the rivet detail missing from the kit parts. Adding this with a rivet maker would have been a mission in itself!

 F-4Bs had different configurations for the top of the tail. Photographs showed that ‘Big Tonka Toy’ had no extra equipment, so the bulge on the trailing edge of the part was removed.

 ‘B’ tyres as shown on the right were 8in (20cm) wide, while ‘J’ tyres were 11in (30cm, which necessitated a bulge in the wing. The pattern for the wheel hubs was also different.

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MODEL BUILD US NAVY QF-4B  Xtracolor gloss black was applied to areas that would end up as walkways, bare metal or anti-glare.

REFERENCE

 Scrap parts were used to test new materials and techniques before applying them to the model. The wing received several metal finishes, while the stabilator was employed for tests on enamel drying time and behaviour to masking.

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Phantom, by Stewart Wilson, Sovereign Series (Aerospace Publications), ISBN: 1 875671 53 6

project was to try different techniques to see what other options were available, without using an airbrush. The basic method for the stabilators used two metal polishing powders, Chrome type and Iron type, from Ushi van den Rosten, kindly supplied by Albion Alloys. They are designed for application over a high gloss base, so the Xtracolor black was ideal as a starting point. Experimentation on scrap parts followed, which was a necessary step to make sure that a viable method was identified before touching the aircraft. The powders were applied with a cotton bud and, after gentle polishing, the metallic sheen appeared quickly. It is also possible to put the powders in a thinner and spray them, but there was insufficient time to experiment with this approach. One slight drawback with the powders was that iron seemed too dark and the chrome too shiny, and there was no time by then to source ‘Steel’ which is also available. The compromise was to apply the Iron as a base coat and then apply lightly the Chrome. This method was used for the stabilators, together with various Gunze Mr. Metal Color shades to demark different panels. The area around the jet exhausts was given a coat

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US NAVY QF-4B MODEL BUILD

MAT ER I ALS Adam Wilder Nitro Line (www.airbrushes.com) NL01 Black Smoke Wash NL02 Deep Shadow Wash NL03 Brown Shadow Wash NL04 Grey Shadow Wash

of Mr. Metal Color 213 Stainless, and then polished by brush, before other panels were highlighted with pigments and different Mr. Metal Color shades. Each exhaust nozzle was also coated with the Stainless and was then highlighted with a mix of Stainless and Mr. Metal Color 217 Gold. Shadow for the parts came via Adam Wilder NL01 Black Smoke Wash (www.airbrushes.com). All of the painted areas were then masked in preparation for the orange. This was sprayed in thin coats over two long sessions. Two were required to give the compressor a rest and 24 hours was allowed between sessions, simply because of unfamiliarity with the behaviour of the paint.

Alclad II (www.alclad2.com) ALC-306 White Primer and Microfiller Eduard (www.eduard.com) 49533 F-4B SA 1/48 Phantom Kit Transformation 648019 F-4B/J/S seats 1/48 648 014 F-4B/N Wheels 1/48 648 022 F-4 exhaust nozzles early 1/48 EX004 Canopy masks 1/48 Furball Aero-Design (www.furballaero-design.com) 48-014 Phantom landing gear door striping decals

EXTRA LIFE The moment of truth came with the removal of the masks over the black. Luckily there were no issues so the next step was the decals. The Xtracolor enamels took ages to cure compared to acrylics, but one advantage was that they provided a smooth finish for decal application. Many of the Kits World decals had large areas of transparent film so there was a potential risk of the dreaded ‘silvering’, where trapped air bubbles under decal film results in an unsightly look. These fears proved totally unfounded and the Kits World decals performed superbly. QF-4Bs were not covered in stencils like many other Phantoms, but photos showed a few around the cockpit area so the Kits World decals were supplemented with some from the kit. The Furball decals for the wheel bay doors did not fit the resin very well, so were applied in sections. Weathering was created with various

 Uschi van der Rosten polishing powders were used for the main metal finish on the stabilators; they were applied by Q-tip.

Xtracolor (www.hannants.co.uk) X-12 Night Black X104 International Orange XDTT Quick Dry Thinners XDFF Matt Varnish  In no time at all a small amount of polishing with the cotton bud produced a very high quality metal finish on the part. The part with the original gloss black is shown on the right for comparison.  The bare metal finish once applied to the two stabilators.

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Gunze Mr. Metal Color (www.modeldesignconstruction.co.uk) 211 Chrome Silver 213 Stainless 217 Gold

Hypersonic Models (www.hypersonicmodels.co.uk) HMR 48013 1/48 F-4 Phantom Unslotted stabilator Kits World (www.kitsworld.co.uk) KW148105 1/48 Phantom F-4B Decal sheet Lifecolor (www.airbrushes.com) LC 01 White LC 02 Black UA 033 Dark Gull Grey FS 36231 Royale Resin (www.royaleresin.com) R050 F-4B/N Conversion 1/48

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MODEL BUILD US NAVY QF-4B The exhaust area received Gunze Mr. Metal Color Stainless. Some of the panels have been coloured in a subtle manner with various pigment shades, to represent the heat stress...although the effects are not too obvious at this stage.

That glaring International Orange has been applied, the masks removed and matt varnish applied to the black areas.

 Detail in and around the cockpit made the model more realistic. Note the UHF aerial ahead of the cockpit, used for remote piloting control. This, plus the second antenna on the underside, is a distinguishing feature of QF-4s.

combinations of Wilder Nitro Line enamel washes, but they were applied very sparingly along panel lines to avoid any adverse effects on the main enamel colours. A few dabs of pigment were also applied to parts of the airframe around the jet exhausts. The stabilators were attached and exhaust stains were added to the undersides – early Phantoms apparently earned the nickname ‘Old Smokey’. Photos of ‘Big Tonka Toy’ showed that the aircraft was well maintained, so apart from the exhausts, the weathering erred on the side of subtlety. Final assembly of the detail parts followed, with the two UHF antennae, addition of the ejection seats and PE around the canopies.

TARGET ACQUIRED This build was a wild ride. The amount of after-market additions, unfamiliar materials and a tight deadline all contributed to creating an ‘interesting’ experience. The Hasegawa kit held up quite well compared to more modern

jet offerings, and most of the deficiencies were addressed with the after-market sets. Royale Resin had created an excellent package for backdating later Phantom models to a ‘B’, and all of the Eduard resin and PE was excellent as usual. Creating a target drone QF-4B was a fascinating journey and the resultant model certainly stands out, thanks both to the unusual colour scheme and also the brilliant decals from Kits World. For this modeller, though, the experience of enamels was positive and frustrating in equal measure. They created a wonderful finish, but the extended drying time, even with the ‘quick dry’ thinner, was most unwelcome - especially with a tight build deadline. Thanks to everyone in Internet land for all of the valuable hints, tips and general advice gleaned from various forums. Britmodeller (www.britmodeller.com) was particularly useful for researching experience on how enamels do and don’t work!

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 This photo shows the metal effects around the jet exhausts. Eduard’s arrestor hook was a huge improvement over the basic representation supplied in the kit.

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 F-4Bs from the US Navy's VF-111 Sundowners unload on a target in North Vietnam. This evocative scene is from a new 188-page hardback book by Adam Tooby, entitled Warbirds (Titan Books), which showcases many new works by the artist. For further details, visit: www.finesthourart.com/www.adamtooby.com (Artwork courtesy of Adam Tooby)

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MODEL BUILD F-4K ON ARK ROYAL

OMEGA RHINO Assistant Editor Stu Fone builds an HMS Ark Royal deck diorama to display Fujimi’s Phantom F-4K

I

t might have operated from landbased locations all over the world, but the Phantom’s true home was always on a carrier deck. As explained in the accompanying feature, Royal Navy (RN) Phantom

F-4Ks had a 40in (101cm) extension to the forward landing gear, to allow them to operate from HMS Ark Royal’s short (in comparison to US Navy Nimitz or Forrestal class) deck. Fujimi’s kit remains the only decent UK Phantom

Given the age of the kit, the cockpit was well appointed, with raised detail on the side consoles and instrument panel, and four-piece ejection seats.

in 1/72 scale, despite being produced almost three decades ago, and it is now imported in limited numbers to the UK via Amerang. Here the kit was built mostly out of the box...the main differences were the use of after-market products for the exhausts and lowered flaps, but a pleasing model can be built with the kit plastic alone. The deck was scratch-built, and although it was constructed in parallel with the aircraft, it is explained separately.

MODEL SPEC BY:

FUJIMI

STOCK CODE: F27044/H-6

SCALE: 1/72

PRICE: £26.99

AVAILABLE AT:

www.amerang.co.uk

GOING DOUBLE-UGLY The kit required minimal work to correct one or two minor issues in the cockpit and on the canopy, which included removal of the latter’s periscope; a feature of the RAF version moulding by Fujimi. Construction began with the cockpit and the only change was to scrape away the moulded detail on the rear right-hand panel... this was obscured by the fuse banks on the real aircraft. The cockpit SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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F-4K ON ARK ROYAL MODEL BUILD was painted with Humbrol enamels and the instrument panels dry-brushed with light grey, before the kit decals were carefully cut with a punch-and-die tool and added with the aid of setting solution. Rear cockpit side panels received a slight trim to ensure a good join, and a scratchbuilt throttle quadrant was added to the forward area. As figures were to be included, the kit’s Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seats were used and, arguably, these are some of the best injectionmoulded seats in this scale. The seats

 In preparation for the removal of flaps and slats, the areas to be cut were marked on the kit parts; note the auxiliary access doors which were to be cut and re-positioned open on the finished model. A comparison between the kit exhausts (top) and Aires’ resin replacements, which highlights the greater depth and refinement of the latter.

were airbrushed with satin black before detail painting of the cushions, seat fittings and ejection handles; the latter were undercoated in white before the red, yellow and finally black stripes were applied.

CUTTING TIME Attention then turned to the major assemblies, with surgery necessary for the

Wolfpack Design dropped flaps and the incorporation of an Aires exhaust set. For the latter, a section of the fuselage was removed and, after a little extra trimming, the resin parts fitted well. The two underside engine auxiliary air doors were opened by removing the

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access panels and scratch-building an inner lining; the panels were retained for later. To accommodate after-market flaps and slats, the wings were marked carefully and the excess was removed with repeated scalpel swipes. Once cuts were visible on the underside, the parts were cut from that side, thus decreasing the chance of damage to the surrounding plastic. But, following an accident involving the resin parts and a chair (the chair won)...the slats and inner flaps were converted from the discarded kit parts. After fishing weights were added to the nose cone to prevent tail-sitting, the fuselage and wings were assembled; an earlier test-fit highlighted a step between the wing and fuselage undersurfaces, although careful alignment reduced this to an almost negligible degree. Inspection

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MODEL BUILD F-4K ON ARK ROYAL  With ejection seats and figures installed, the cockpit looked very businesslike... instrument panel details were a combination of dry-brushing and kit decals.

SI ZE MATTE R S One dilemma was that the Fujimi cockpit appeared slightly under scale, and was approximately 1-2mm too shallow. Originally it had been intended to use figures modified from Fujimi’s F-14 Tomcat kit, but these were too large. After a search in the spares box, two Matchbox aircrew figures from a Hunter were found to be suitable, as they had both life preservers and the correct helmet type, albeit despite their garish blue colour. After deft surgery and painting they fitted snugly into the seats.

of the fuselage revealed several small sink marks that required filling, the most obvious being those on the arrester hook, upper fuselage spine and cockpit sides. Filler was used to correct any gaps, and the fuselage and wing section was sanded smooth in preparation for painting.

by thinned gloss white (Gunze Mr. Color H1). After two days in the drying box the model was masked ready for the Extra Dark Sea Grey (EDSG). Fleet Air Arm Phantoms showed considerable signs of weathering, and the EDSG paint faded due to the hostile maritime environment. Having never attempted this before, several trial efforts were made on scrap plastic with varying degrees of success, before the

final attempt was made on the kit. Due to their excellent opacity and quick drying, Vallejo Model Air colours were used, with 71053 Dark Sea Green as the base colour. Fading effects were achieved by postshading the panel lines with 71054 Dark Grey Blue, before 71097 Grey Primer was airbrushed carefully over the middle of each panel. Once dry, Vallejo 71053 was sprayed freehand in light coats to tie together the contrasting colours. But on removal of the masking...disaster! The

PAINTING TRIALS Major sub-assemblies were primed with Gunze Mr. Surfacer 1000 which, once dry, was sanded with fine grade Wet and Dry paper prior to the main colours being applied. To produce a tough white finish, Vallejo Model Air 71.001 matt white was airbrushed onto the primer, and followed

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F-4K ON ARK ROYAL MODEL BUILD

R H I N O’ O ’SS BI B I TE According to references, RN Phantoms usually flew with just external fuel tanks or one or two under-wing stores, and so it was decided to add minimal weaponry...just a single Sidewinder training round, a rocket pod on the inner pylons and fuel tanks on the outboards. As the Matra-series of rocket pods were not cleared for use on carriers, RN aircraft used the 2in (50mm) pod instead – fortunately Freightdog produces a set of two of these pods for Falklands War Harriers. The use of the kit Sidewinder rails highlighted one annoying feature, though...the large number of ejector pin marks on the pylons and weapons rails, and while small, these all required filling and sanding.

adhesive had left marks on the white finish and it was realised that the gloss white had not cured properly. Although a coat of Johnson’s Klear appeared to solve the issue, later in the build it was noticed that the surface had started to crack. With a deadline to meet, the whole underside could not be re-sprayed, but a test re-paint of the drop tanks showed that this problem could be rectified by sanding the affected area down to the primer and re-painting.

 The final test-fit of the resin exhausts, also showing the scrap styrene necessary to keep the fuselage halves at the correct spacing, and ensure a good join with the upper wing parts.

 The assembled wing, revealing the areas removed for the dropped flaps and slats; the auxiliary air vents were boxed in and scrap styrene was added to prevent ‘see-through’ on the intakes.

DECAL TRIBULATIONS Of the several markings options offered in the kit, XV568/ 002 from 892 NAS was chosen. If there was a weak aspect of the Fujimi

With all major parts assembled, filler was applied to any gaps and sink marks in the styrene...at last it looked like a Phantom!

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MODEL BUILD F-4K ON ARK ROYAL ACCESSORIES Freightdog Models (www. freightdogmodels. co.uk) • RN 2 inch rocket pods

 Before the main primer coat was applied, the canopy area was masked and airbrushed with black to replicate the interior colour.

 Due to known opacity issues with Fujimi's decals, the area for the chevron was airbrushed white and masked, prior to top coat application.

Wolfpack Design (www.wolfpack-d. com) • 72019 F-4K/M British Phantom Flap Down set Little Cars (www. little-cars.com) • 0.2mm and 0.4mm coloured copper wire  Once the gloss white had dried, the underside was masked in preparation for the Extra Dark Sea Grey top coat.

kit, it was the decals, which were thick and on rather matt carrier film, which resulted in them being prone to silvering...and unable to conform to any curves or raised detail - they required copious amounts of setting solution. The instructions were followed faithfully, but just before the weathering was to commence, an error was spotted – the ‘Royal Navy’

markings and serial were positioned too low. A check against another Fujimi RN Phantom kit showed the marking in the correct place, so this was either a mistake on the instructions or an anomaly for one particular aircraft. Nonetheless, the area was masked carefully before the offending decals were sanded away and the panels re-sprayed - replacement decals from

RE P R O D U C I NG A D E CK As an experiment, it was decided to replicate the roughened/anti-slip surface of a real carrier deck. Squares of several grades of Wet and Dry paper, from 600-1,500, were attached to a sheet of scrap plastic and airbrushed with White Ensign Models 'Colourcoats (WEMCC) M02 Modern Royal Navy Deck Grey, with 1,200-grade subsequently selected as the most appropriate. The dimensions of each deck area were copied carefully onto the sheets of abrasive paper and, once cut to shape, were airbrushed with WEMCC M02 before being set aside to dry.

an old Xtradecal sheet were used. Once these had dried, any silvering or register marks were over-painted with Vallejo 71053.

MUCKING OUT Phantoms, gloriously, are generally dirty aircraft, particularly on the undersides which were streaked with oil or hydraulic fluid, manifested in dark grey/black smears and a pinkish-tinged area between the aft missile bays that extended slightly out onto the wing. On the upper surfaces, a dark wash was used to accentuate the panel lines, followed by a more adventurous ‘mucking-up’ of the undersides. MIG Productions’ Dark Wash was used to replicate the grey/black staining, and a thinned mixture of Dark Wash (white and red) was used for the area between the aft missile bays. Once dry, a thin wash of white was applied to the areas immediately forward of the missile bays, to provide greater contrast. The various washes were also used on the undercarriage doors, weapons pylons and control surfaces, and after a day to dry, the model received an overall satin varnish coat.

CREATING THE DECK Research for this project revealed a lack of scale plans for the deck of HMS Ark Royal; as a result, photocomparison was used to determine SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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F-4K ON ARK ROYAL MODEL BUILD

 With the decals completed, it was realised that the ‘Royal Navy’ legends were too low on the fuselage, which necessitated masking and re-painting before replacement decals were applied.  A weathered finish was achieved by airbrushing light and dark tones onto Vallejo 71053 Dark Seagreen, followed by a mist coat of the base colour, which tied together the contrasting shades.

Although the underside colour of RN Phantoms was white, this was stained quickly by oil and hydraulic fluid. These effects were replicated with a mixture of washes and dry-brushing.

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MODEL BUILD F-4K ON ARK ROYAL

 Work on the deck began by sketching the layout, including an outline of a Phantom; the initial design would be refined as new reference material came to light during the build.  With the cutting of the recesses for the jet blast deflectors (JBDs), the deck began to take on some of the character of a carrier launch area.

 The JBDs were cut to shape with corrected drawings, after references indicated the height of the real doors was 8ft (2.4m)...35mm in 1/72 scale.

 After the deck markings had been transcribed onto the Wet and Dry they were masked...a time-consuming and occasionally frustrating process!

how the diorama would be composed, in conjunction with reference material on Phantoms and UK carriers. An initial plan was drawn on paper, with an old F-4 model used to provide an outline and basic scaling, before styrene was cut roughly to size and similarly marked. It was determined that the best layout would place the aircraft at an angle, with deck crew off to one side. As the jet blast deflectors (JBDs) would be in the raised position, a simple flat deck would not suffice, and the deck was raised 3mm to allow for the JBD recesses. As with all plans, new information caused several re-drafts, including one caused by the JBDs initially being drawn too small – the real items were approximately 8ft (2.4m) in height and the corrections necessitated a deck re-design!

CATAPULT AND ALL

MASKING CHALLENGE

Construction of the diorama began with the main deck; the launch channel and blast area was built from strips of 20 thou (0.5mm) and 10 thou (0.25mm) plastic, with widths varying from 4mm to 1mm. Reference photographs aided greatly in this process, particularly in

The most difficult task was to mask the many deck markings around the launch area; this was particularly vexing given the earlier decision to use Wet and Dry paper to replicate the deck, as markings on each section had to be matched to those

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capturing accurately the structure of the launch shuttle and bridle catcher tracks, with the latter being raised slightly. Due to the fortunate selection of the bow catapult as the diorama scene, a small section of the waist catapult could be used to trial the stripmethod of building the tracks. An added bonus was that this ‘experimental’ track confirmed the original estimate for the width of the deck blast protection plates. Each JBD was built from strips of 20 thou (0.5mm) strip on a styrene base, which was then trimmed and sanded to shape before actuator brackets were added. Detail in the JBD bays was minimal, although a raised area was constructed for the two larger recesses, based upon reference photographs. The JBD actuators were made from sections of Albion Alloys’ 1mm and 0.5mm tubing, and these were fitted to the brackets once the doors had been added to the deck.

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F-4K ON ARK ROYAL MODEL BUILD REFERENCE Osprey Air Combat: McDonnell Douglas F-4K and F-4M Phantom II, by Michael Burns (Osprey), ISBN: 0-85045-564-2 British Aircraft Carriers: Design, Development and Service Histories, by David Hobbs (Seaforth), ISBN: 978-1-84832138-0 Warpaint 31 McDonnell Douglas F-4K and F-4M Phantom, by Steve Hazell (Warpaint), ISSN: 1361-0369 Phantom Squadrons of the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm, by Richard L Ward (Linewrights), ISBN: 0-946958-31-9 McDonnell F-4 Phantom: Spirit in the Skies, by Jon Lake and David Donald (Aerospace), ISBN: 1-880588-31-5

on its neighbour’s. Fortunately, the dimensions in the reference documents were all in imperial units, which simplified scale conversion, as in 1/72 scale 3in is approximately 1mm. After plenty of angst (and masking tape), the decks were airbrushed with white, before further tape was applied to three of the sections and the red applied. On removal of the masking, a dazzlingly bright series of red and white markings were revealed, and although a few areas had suffered paint bleed-through, these were easily corrected. The painted deck sections were attached to the styrene deck with contact spray glue, which went very smoothly, and the assembly was set aside overnight to dry properly. According to reference images, deck markings were rarely in pristine condition, due to the maritime environment and general wear and tear. To replicate this, the deck was given five or six misted coats of Tamiya X-19 Smoke, before a series of enamel washes were applied to any raised or engraved areas. Black and dark grey paint was dry-brushed across the surface, with particular attention paid to the edges of the catapult tracks and deck markings. The main blast areas and JBDs were airbrushed freehand with Alclad ALC-113 Jet Exhaust, ALC121 Burnt Iron and ALC-123 Exhaust Manifold, to replicate the torture inflicted upon the launch area by RollsRoyce Spey engines on full reheat. Finally the entire deck was airbrushed with matt varnish.

ALL TOGETHER NOW The display base was cut from 5mm MDF sheet, and married to the deck structure with epoxy contact adhesive, before the plastic was trimmed to match the base and wooden edging added; this was fashioned from strip veneer from a DIY store. The white-metal RN deck figures came from the spares box;

 The lattice effect on the rear of the JBDs was built from styrene strip, with the actuators fashioned from Albion Alloys tubing.

 With all of the masking tape removed, a pristine set of white and red deck markings were revealed. Paint had bled through in several areas, but this was neatened easily.

their origin was long forgotten but this was one of the benefits of having kept stuff from years ago! Just one task remained before the Phantom was added, and this was scratch-building the launch shuttle, strop and bridles. The initial intent had been to use thread to replicate the various wires, but in the end it was decided to use 0.4mm and 0.2mm coloured wire from Little Cars, as this better replicated the cables. The retention cable was added first, followed by retention cables, ensuring that that

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they were offset; these were wrapped around the tops of the main strop, which was attached to the underside hooks on the Phantom, before being looped around the catapult launch shuttle. The final act was to tension the wires by moving the shuttle forwards to just behind the nose wheel, and securing it with cyanoacrylate. This was a journey into the unknown, with several techniques tried for the first time by this modeller, but the ‘Rhino’ was ready for launch!

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IN FOCUS F-4K PHANTOM II

SENIOR SERVICE

SPOOKS Great Britain’s Royal Navy was the F-4’s first export customer, as detailed by David Hobbs

F

rom 1955 the Royal Navy carried out evaluations, code-named ‘Phoenix’, with USAF and RAF high-level bombers to simulate aircraft armed with anti-ship missiles then coming into service with the Soviet Naval Air Force. In line with the latest known Soviet tactics, the bombers attacked in large numbers and missile launch, simulated by carrier-borne fighters, took place 100 miles (160km) from

the fleet. Unsurprisingly, Sea Hawk and Sea Venom fighters lacked the performance needed to defeat such attacks, and it was clear that air-to-air missiles would need to replace guns in all future fighters. Scimitars and Sea Vixens were under development but both were subsonic and, while capable of engaging existing bombers with success, they lacked the ability to defeat supersonic bombers the Soviets were believed to be developing.

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POLITICAL WRANGLES The Admiralty Directorate of Naval Air Warfare tried to procure a supersonic fighter with good endurance and missile armament to replace the Sea Vixen. Its first attempt followed a joint staff requirement agreed with the RAF, which led to the development of the Saunders-Roe SR.177 rocket/ turbojet-powered fighter to a common design. The first prototype was nearly complete when Duncan Sandys, the

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F-4K PHANTOM II IN FOCUS  Phantom XT865/011/R of 892 NAS launches from HMS Ark Royal’s waist catapult. The launching strop has been retained by the Van Zelme gear at the forward end of the catapult shuttle’s stroke and is about to be pulled back for another launch. (David Hobbs Collection)

British Defence Secretary, cancelled the project; his personal belief was that the future lay entirely with missiles because manned fighters were obsolete. This inept policy left both the RN and RAF with ‘legacy’ frontline fighters that lacked the qualities needed to fight growing Soviet threats. The situation worsened when his successor, Peter Thorneycroft, dictated that a Hawker project known as the P.1154, intended to meet NATO’s Basic

Military Requirement 3 for a short range, VTOL day/clear weather attack aircraft, should form the basis of both an interceptor to replace the RN Sea Vixen FAW.2, and a ground-attack aircraft to replace the RAF Hunter FGA 9. Mesmerised by the work of Robert S McNamara, his US equivalent (who forced through the development of the multi-service, multi-role F-111 as his idea of reducing spiralling defence costs), Thorneycroft saw the P.1154 as

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a British equivalent and brooked no argument. Reading through the RN and RAF specifications more than 40 years later, it is difficult to imagine how even a politician could have expected two such utterly disparate requirements to be met by a single design. The naive simplicity of the RAF requirement for a day fighter without radar also stands out in comparison with the sophisticated RN requirement.

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IN FOCUS F-4K PHANTOM II

THE HOLY GRAIL While British politicians asked for the impossible, the Phantom entered US Navy service and broke several world records. Even the US Air Force bought the Phantom when an evaluation revealed that it carried more weapons further and faster than any aircraft in its Tactical Air Command. The Admiralty cast envious eyes across the Atlantic, pushed hard to have the Phantom accepted as the Sea Vixen replacement and, in February 1964, it succeeded.

The RN version of P.1154 was cancelled and Government approval was given to purchase 140 Phantoms directly from McDonnell at a cost originally estimated at £45 million for the first 60. By 1964 the US Navy was developing an improved F-4J version and this was the obvious choice for the RN, but political decisions affected the Phantom almost as much as they had earlier British designs. Having deliberately cancelled projects and run down British industry, the Government had a change

 Like other postwar RN carrier aircraft, the Phantom wore a colour scheme of Dark Sea Grey top surfaces with white undersides. Gloss paint was used, with highvisibility red, white and blue roundels. (Glenn Sands Collection)

of heart and actively sought British industrial participation in the new project. Rolls-Royce had proposed a Spey-powered version of the F-4 in 1962 and this formed the basis of the RN variant, designated F-4K by McDonnell. The Westinghouse AWG-10 pulsedoppler radar was built under licence in the UK by Ferranti as the AWG-11, and most of the cockpit avionics were British. The outer wings were made by Short Brothers in Belfast, while the British Aircraft Corporation in Preston produced the rear fuselage and tail; in all about half the aircraft content was British, but the airframes were assembled by McDonnell at St Louis, Missouri. There were problems with the re-heated Spey engines, which caused delay and increased cost because they were heavier and wider, but shorter than the J79 used in American F-4s. Ultimately, the rear fuselage required a complete re-design which spoiled its careful area-ruled contours. This led to greatly increased drag and a lower overall performance than the F-4J. The Spey also needed intakes 20% larger than the US-engined aircraft to cope with the greater mass flow of air required, which contributed further to

 Seconds before launch, F-4K XV568/012/R, is ready to get airborne. The shuttle has moved forward to tension the launching strop with the wires of the Van Zelme gear visible aft of it. The Flight Deck Officer (note FDO on his vest) has his green flag raised ready to lower it as the order to launch. The aircraft is in full reheat with steam visible around the erect watercooled jet blast deflector astern of it. This Phantom in early format and lacks the radar warning receiver on top of the fin. (David Hobbs Collection)

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F-4K PHANTOM II IN FOCUS  No 892 Squadron decorated its aircraft with a huge red chevron on the tailfin, with a white diamond superimposed, containing a black Omega. All squadron aircraft carried the ‘R’ tailcode (for Ark Royal), with a three-digit deck code on the nose, commencing with 0. (Glenn Sands Collection)

the increased drag. Engaging reheat for a carrier overshoot proved, initially, to be unreliable and a special variant of the Spey, the Mark 203 with fast lightup augmentation, was developed to allow the F-4K to obtain clearance for carrier operations. The reheat nozzles were nearer the skin than those of the American General Electric J79 engines, with the result that titanium had to be used extensively on the rear fuselage. Other features included a unique extending oleo, which could raise the nose by 40in (101cm) so the aircraft could be launched at the maximum-weight angle-of-attack from relatively short British steam catapults. The F-4K also had larger ‘blown’ flaps, drooped ailerons and a tailplane with an inverted slat on the leading edge to reduce the entry speed into arrester wires. All this pushed up the weight, and British Phantoms had to have stronger undercarriage than all other F-4s...and stronger arrester hooks than their US Navy contemporaries. Unit cost after all these changes was more than double that of the F-4J, for an aircraft with an inferior performance, but which did have slightly greater endurance. Frustratingly, US Navy F-4Js proved perfectly capable of operating from Ark Royal and could have operated from Eagle had she been fitted with uprated arrester gear and not withdrawn from service early. The smaller Hermes would have presented problems operating either the F-4J or F-4K from its small deck and short catapults on a regular basis. The new carrier, CVA-01, had she been built would have been an ideal Phantom carrier. The RAF version of the P.1154 was

cancelled in 1965 and a modified F-4K, designated F-4M, was procured for the RAF and designated Phantom FGR.2. It lacked the carrier operating features of the FG.1 and was used initially on strike/ ground-attack duties in squadrons allocated to NATO in the UK and Germany.

DARK BLUE PHANTOMS The RN version received the British designation Phantom FG.1 and the first aircraft arrived at RNAS Yeovilton, the RN Fighter School, on April 25,

RAF AIR DE F EN CE Phantom FG.1s taken from the original RN order were used to re-form the RAF’s 43 Squadron at Leuchars in 1969, and the unit was allocated to NATO for Tactical Support of Maritime Operations (TASMO) over the Eastern Atlantic. One can understand American surprise that the task was not carried out by forming a second frontline naval unit for service from the Ark’s sister ship Eagle, which would have been capable of movement wherever required to support Britain’s allies...but that is another story. In 1972 NATO changed its deterrent policy from nuclear ‘tripwire’, in which any attack would trigger a nuclear response, to the so-called ‘flexible response’, in which the opening phase of any conflict would be conducted by conventional forces. Under the earlier policy the UK’s air defence system had been allowed to run down despite the fact that the nation was responsible for a region that stretched from Iceland to the Baltic, and a considerable area of the north east Atlantic. The Lightning had never been designed as anything but a point-defence interceptor and the Phantom was the obvious choice to replace it in other UK fighter squadrons. This was made possible by the entry into service of the Jaguar from June 1973, as a dedicated attack/close-support aircraft. It replaced the Phantom FGR.2 in 6, 41 and 54 Squadrons and the aircraft were used to re-equip 23, 29, 56 and 111 Squadrons in Strike Command, together with 19 and 92 Squadrons in RAF Germany; 43 Squadron retained its FG.1s.

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1968. Originally there were plans to commission five squadrons, but in 1966 the Government cancelled the project to build CVA-01, which was to have been named Queen Elizabeth, and began to run down the existing carrier fleet. The order for F-4Ks was reduced to 52, but 28 of those were diverted to the RAF and only 24 ever served with the RN. Despite its complicated background, the aircraft was a success in service and represented a big improvement in capability over the Sea Vixen. Three naval air squadrons operated the Phantom, all commissioned at RNAS Yeovilton; 700P (Intensive Flying Trials Unit), 767 (Phantom training squadron) and 892, the only frontline unit. 892 NAS commissioned in March 1969, and featured a large ‘omega’ device on the tailplane because it was expected at the time to be the last RN fixedwing squadron to be commissioned. It embarked on Ark Royal and operated with her throughout the North Atlantic and Mediterranean with considerable success, until the ship and her squadrons were withdrawn from service in 1978. Ark was frequently followed by Soviet ‘snoopers’, which were efficiently intercepted by Phantoms. The aircraft showed remarkable flexibility in many roles including strike escort, the ability to fight the Buccaneers through to strategic and tactical targets ashore, and both strike and attack missions in their own right against ship and shore targets. The Phantom’s ability to carry four radar-guided Sparrow missiles, in addition to four IR-guided Sidewinders and bombs gave it a unique edge over all other types. On CAP it could engage multiple targets before having to return to re-arm, and on attack missions it

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IN FOCUS F-4K PHANTOM II

 With a US Navy carrier in the background, Phantom XT867/005/R of 892 NAS carries drop tanks on the outer wing stations and an acquisition AIM-9 Sidewinder can be seen on an inboard pylon. Of interest, the observer is taking a photograph of the aircraft from which this image was taken. (David Hobbs Collection)

could defend itself against sophisticated fighter opposition. The FG.1 was wired to carry the WE.177 nuclear bomb and Bullpup air-to-surface missile, although in practice it seldom did so. At night it could carry Lepus flares to illuminate potential targets and, having done so, attack them with 2in (50mm) rockets or bombs. The Phantom was by far the most capable fighter ever operated by the RN. It was never flown in combat, but its deterrent capability against Soviet aggression throughout the NATO area was considerable. Soviet top-brass was never quite sure where Ark Royal and her Phantoms would appear next and, when one considers the number of NATO exercises in which the Ark took part, from the North Atlantic to the Eastern Mediterranean, they are testimony to what such a small force can achieve.

RETROSPECT Sir Sydney Camm, Hawker’s famous designer, is reputed to have said that,

in his opinion, no British aircraft could be an export success until it matched the capability of the Phantom. He was certainly right to recognise the quality of the McDonnell aircraft, which was the outstanding design not just of one but of several generations – it survives in service with several air arms to this day and is far from obsolete. The massive changes to the basic airframe, incorporated at British insistence, produced an aircraft that was more expensive and significantly less capable than the baseline American version, but at least it ended a series of disastrous political blunders by successive British Governments, and put a capable aircraft in the hands of British aircrew.

PHANTOM VERSUS LIGHTNING II The F4H was the result of inspired design work by James McDonnell and his team and, fortunately, it matured before the era of ill-informed political involvement in the process of military aircraft specification. Arguably the

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 Throughout their service with the Royal Navy the Fleet Air Arm always had a Phantom display aircraft during the airshow season. Stripped of external stores and pylons, XT872/004/R taxies to RNAS Yeovilton’s main runway in 1976 at the start of its display. (Glenn Sands Collection)

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was always going to be difficult and expensive to develop, because of the requirement to incorporate STOVL capability into a common airframe that had many other design factors to take into account. Early estimates of the cost and time needed to procure the aircraft were grossly over-confident and have proved impossible to deliver. This was not the case with the Phantom, and it is fair to say that F-35 STOVL capability has had a major impact on the other variants that share a common airframe and engine. Without it they would probably have been twin-engined, two-seat designs optimised for better conventional performance. The STOVL F-35B is, however, the only fast jet design in production that will be able to operate from American LHAs and British Queen Elizabeth class carriers. The F-35’s defining role is strike/attack by day or night, with stealth technology to penetrate sophisticated air defence systems, but it will not enter operational service until some years later than originally intended. Unmanned combat air vehicles are already in development; these include the USN X-47B, which is being used to provide data for an operational unmanned carrier-launched aircraft expected to be in service within a decade. They could prove to be more effective in the strike and reconnaissance roles and will certainly be cheaper to operate, because they have no requirement for pilots to fly frequently to maintain their currency. For the same reason the aircraft will not need to leave the carrier when it is in harbour. Unlike the Phantom, the F-35s ‘window of opportunity’ may well be relatively short.

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BOOKS F-4 PHANTOM

PHANTOM IN PRINT

MCDONNELL F-4 SPIRIT IN THE SKIES By: Jon Lake Publisher: Aerospace/Airtime ISBN: 1-874023-28-X / 1-880588-04-8 Format: hardback, 313mm x 237mm

PHANTOMS FOREVER

USAF PHANTOMS – TACTICS, TRAINING AND WEAPONS

By: Robert F Dorr Publisher: Osprey ISBN: 0-85045-742-4 Format: softback, 229mm x 210mm

G

iven the F-4’s well-deserved ‘legend’ status, it’s no surprise that the aircraft has been the subject of a great many books. A wide range is still available, although some older examples are now out of print...but can still be found at specialist book retailers, model shows and airshows, auction sites and even charity shops on occasion! Here, Chris Clifford offers his favourites.

By: Anthony M Thornborough Publisher: Arms & Armour Press ISBN: 0-853368-887-7 Format: hardback, 253mm x 190mm

Still a great photo study of the ‘Rhino’, Dorr’s 128-page book offers splendid imagery of mostly US Phantoms, with a handful of export models thrown in. The best coverage is that of US Air National Guard machines, in their various schemes, via the sharp imagery.

A useful 1988 examination of US Air Force F-4 variants and operations. The photographs are black and white, and drawings provide extra detail. There are welcome stores shots, too, which include the Pave Fire II laser pod used in 1969.

One of the most useful and popular F-4 books, this excellent work (which has been re-printed and expanded), offers a wealth of detail...from global service to aircrew personal accounts. The best sections include the variants guide with its vital line drawings that show structural differences between sub-types, and list of airframe numbers, while the huge weapons chapter is even more concise and provides what is arguably the best ever guide to F-4 ordnance in print; split into bombs, air-to-air missiles, rockets, ECM pods etc (there’s no excuse for not having an intimate knowledge of all F-4 stores after reading this...a great ready-reckoner for getting those weapons loads just right). There are three pleasing four-view artworks while the Phantom Users section explains who flew which type, by country and individual unit/sub-unit, relevant bases and dates. This is a vital work on the Phantom and excels in every area.

F-4 PHANTOM IIS OF THE USAF RESERVE AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD By: Don Logan Publisher: Schiffer ISBN: 0-76431627-3 Format: hardback, 286mm x 225mm With more than 700 colour photos and 100 unit patches, this is the ultimate reference on ‘weekend warrior’ F-4s. Every State Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve outfit features, and the imagery includes aerial shots and of jets on the ground. All three main USAF colour schemes are represented; Southeast Asia, European 1 and Hill Gray I/II, and most pleasing is that the rarer liveries appear...let’s hope decal firms oblige in due course! Close-ups of nose art help with detail, and special schemes are not ignored – the best arguably being South Dakota ANG’s blue Centennial aircraft. The coverage runs to the mid1990s and F-4G Wild weasels of the Idaho ANG, in Hill Gray II, and standout inclusions are Missouri ANG’s SL-coded F-4Es, with shark mouths, Michigan F-4C/Ds in ADC Gray and Hill Gray II and Texas ANG 704th TFS Phantoms in the two-grey ‘cloud’ camouflage unique to that unit.

BRITISH PHANTOMS 1966-1978 By: Patrick Martin Publisher: Double Ugly! ISBN: 978-3-93568784-3 Format: hardback, 303mm x 212mm

By: Ian Black Publisher: Haynes ISBN: 978-1-84425-996-0 Format: hardback, 277mm x 214mm

Any fan of UKF-4s will find this 160-page work invaluable for its photos, colour profiles, camouflage notes and historical text. The classy book covers Royal Navy F-4Ks, and RAF FG.1s and FGR.2s in their early colours; Extra Dark Sea Grey and NATO tactical.

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MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F-4 PHANTOM 1958 ONWARDS

One of the popular Owners’ Workshop Manuals, this 160page work takes an in-depth look at British Phantoms and how they were maintained, along with personal accounts from F-4 rear-seater Ian Black. The photography is excellent.

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PHANTOM IN COMBAT By: Walter J Boyne Publisher: Schiffer ISBN: 0-88740-599-1 Format: hardback, 285mm x 227mm Mostly covering US Phantoms in Vietnam, but with a section on Israeli and Iranian F-4 ops, this 176-page book offers a wealth of interesting text and great photos (black and white/colour), including a 36th TFW F-4D with under-wing cannon pods, which was a rare fit. A forgotten gem.

MAGNUM! THE WILD WEASELS IN DESERT STORM By: Brick Eisel and Jim Schriener Publisher: Pen & Sword ISBN: 978-1-84415-907-9 Format: hardback, 253mm x 185mm A ‘proper read’ with minimal photography, this is a revealin and exciting first-hand account of USAF F-4G anti-radar missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Fascinating descriptions of sorties and weaponry are punctuated by wry humour in 274 pages.

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F-4 PHANTOM BOOKS UNCOVERING THE US NAVY Q/F-4B/J/ N/S PHANTOM By: Danny Coremans Publisher: DACO ISBN: 978-90806747-9-0 Format: softback, 240mm x 212mm

DEFENDERS OF NIPPON: F-4 PHANTOM II

‘RHINO’ THE IMMORTAL PHANTOM II

By: Fearis/Scott/Sands Publisher: Kaburaya ISBN: N/A Format: softback, A4

By: Joe Cupido Publisher: Windrow & Greene ISBN: 1-872004-18-0 Format: softback, 260mm x 190mm

This is the ‘go-to’ book for anyone considering builds of Japanese F-4s, and it’s packed with more than 400 colour profiles and scrap views, photos, weapons illustrations and federal Standard codes. Easily the masterwork on the subject...with an astonishing variety of colour schemes.

A very pleasing photo study of the F-4 in US service, mostly centred on the US Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. ADC Gray, European I and Hill Gray are all represented, as is the naval Tactical Paint Scheme. Cupido's photography is stunning and makes the book.

Arguably the best book ever to reveal aiframe features of US Navy/US Marine Corps Phantoms, this is 176 pages of detail nirvana; every part of the aircraft is examined in full, inside and out, with explanations of sub-type differences via the extensive imagery. Super-detailers will not be left wanting and have plenty of reference if they wish to portray an F-4 with surface panels open and all the 'gubbins' underneath. The close-ups of weapons are particularly useful...as are the 1/32 stores drawings and incredibly useful gatefold 1/72 and 1/48 scale plans at the rear. These are supported by large-format instrument panel and side console drawings, with numbered annotations. Photos of F-4s on carrier operations are also supplied, and red-shirted armourers are shown handling various items of weaponry...which is perfect for diorama fans wanting to make a carrier deck section. No F-4 modeller should be without this amazing work.

BRITISH PHANTOMS 1979-1992 By: Patrick Martin Publisher: Double Ugly! ISBN: 978-3-93568785-0 Format: hardback, 303mm x 212mm The author’s second foray into the subject, but this time focussing on the later careers of UK F-4s in air defence grey up to retirement, which includes the F-4J (UK). This volume is as good as the first, but has individual aircraft histories for useful extra detail.

US MARINE CORPS F-4 PHANTOM II UNITS OF THE VIETNAM WAR By: Peter E Davies Publisher: Osprey ISBN: 978-1-84908-751-3 Format: softack, 248mm x 185mm Osprey combines fascinating pilot accounts, revealing photography and good colour profiles to tell the story of ‘leatherneck’ F-4s in Vietnam. The photos are a boon for modellers, as portray early, rare and interesting weapons loads.

WOLFPACK: HUNTING MIGS OVER VIETNAM By: Jerry Scutts Publisher: Airlife ISBN: 1-85310005-6 Format: hardback, 250mm x 188mm

SMOKE TRAILS By: Jamie Hunter/ K. Tokunaga Publisher: Midland ISBN: 978-185780262-7 Format: softback, 280mm x 213mm Photographer Hunter provides a study of F-4s still in service in 2007; excellent images of Phantoms from the US (drones), German F-4Fs, Greek F-4Es and RF-4Es, Japanese and Turkish machines; a stunning reference for modellers into global Phantoms and their schemes.

F-4 PHANTOMS US NAVY AND MARINE CORPS GRAY GHOSTS By: Peter E. Davies Publisher: Schiffer ISBN: 0-7643-1021-6 Format: hardback, 287mm x 226mm Any modeller looking for great reference photos and history concerning USN/ USMC F-4s, this is the place to look. Schiffer’s weighty 240page book chronicles the full story, with insightful text, personal accounts and excellent photography.

USAF PHANTOMS IN COMBAT By: Lou Drendel Publisher: Squadron/ Signal ISBN: 0-89747-186-5 Format: softback, 280mm x 216mm

By: Peter Anthoni & Nico Deboeck Publisher: Greyhound Books ISBN: N/A Format: softback, 240mm x 211mm

Here’s a worthy examination of the US Air Force F-4C/D/E and RF-4C variants in Vietnam, with a pleasing amount of potos, colour profiles and personal accounts. Much weaponry is in view for modellers to get their stores load details correct.

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PHANTOM II DETAIL SERIES F-4E/F & RF-4E

A real modeller’s reference, this 134-page book is packed with walk-round images of Greek and German Phantoms, but there are whole airframe shots too; Turkish, Japanese and Israeli jets also feature...excellent for super-detailers.

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Here’s a superb focus on the famous 8th Tactical fighter Wing in Vietnam, for a time led by the legendary Col Robin Olds. While the photos are all in black and white, they are generally clear and provide much detail for weapons loads, but there are other types of imagery showing whole airframes and notable aircrew members. For the most part, it’s a revealing read and offers a wealth of detail on missions, strategy, personal accounts and more. Most interesting is the early employment of smart weapons such as the laser-guided Paveway family (with associated designator pods), and the 2,000lb HOBOS electro-optical bomb. An important section is devoted solely to Robin Olds, with his thoughts on the Vulcan cannon pod and other weaponry, fighter-bomber tactics and other subjects. Lists of representative aircraft, and aerial victories credited to the 8th TFW, are also offered.

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MODEL BUILD F-4C AIR NATIONAL GUARD Andrew Terrell portrays Academy’s 1/48 F-4C as a Vietnam veteran later in its career... and improves the kit’s detail

OLDS’ LEGACY M

cDonnell’s F-4 Phantom has often been in the vanguard during 20th Century conflicts, whether over the jungles of Southeast Asia or Middle-eastern deserts. Praised by many for its overall combat effectiveness, individual F-4s have taken on legendary status. But

in the case of F-4C 64-0829, it was legendary USAF ‘Wolfpack’ fighter leader Col Robin Olds who would become as iconic as his mount, from which he claimed two Vietnamese MiG-17s on May 20, 1967. The following build depicts ‘829 later in its life, while serving with the Texas Air National Guard (ANG).

The 14-part cockpit included raised detail on the instrument panels and side consoles.

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F-4C AIR NATIONAL GUARD MODEL BUILD

AF T E R- MARK E T DEC ALS

 To improve the rather sparse cockpit, Eduard’s interior set provided electronic boxes, rudder pedals and even a map case.

 Once the raised detail had been removed in preparation for the pre-painted instrument panels, the consoles were fitted and then primed.

ACADEMY UPDATE Following on from its F-4B, Academy has also released the F-4C and unlike many Hasegawa offerings over the years, it was good to finally see a wide array of stores to hang under the wings and fuselage. On closer inspection it would appear that Academy may release other members of the F-4 family, as the kit included various under-nose and tail fairings, slotted and un-slotted stabilators, long and short exhaust nozzles and two radomes. The cockpit looked respectable and consisted of raised detail, but the Martin-Baker Mk.7 seats were rather basic and lacked straps. Like Hasegawa’s kits, the airbrakes could be posed deployed but unlike the former, the ailerons and rudder were also moulded separately.

The instructions were clear and included a large, glossy double-sided, four-view colour diagram for painting and decal placement. On the subject of decals, the kit included two sheets, the first of which carried a comprehensive array of stencils for the aircraft and stores. The second sheet was far less so in terms of content, in that it only provided markings to complete Col Robin Olds’ 8th TFW F-4C ‘SCAT XXVII’, from Ubon, Thailand, in 1967.

CREW STATIONS Following the order of the instructions, at least for the time being, work began on the cockpit. Although the detail was reasonable it was decided to bring it up another level with help from Eduard (see

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A Vietnam colour scheme seemed too obvious and so it was decided to portray a MiG-killer from that era, but in a later set of colours. To aid in this, Caracal Models’ Air National Guard F-4C/D Part 3 (CD48038) was obtained. Concentrating on ANG units throughout the 1980s, the sheet has nine F-4C options. These include Col Robin Olds MiG-killing F-4C 64-0829, as seen when serving with the Texas ANG in 1985. The sheet offers the following paint schemes; standard and wraparound Southeast Asia (SEA) and European 1. Printed by Cartograf, the decals reflect the gradual toning-down policy of the 1980s, with the inclusion of full colour and black markings. To aid in decal placement, as well the application of paint, clear colour instructions are provided. The only downside to this, on an otherwise excellent sheet, is that there were only enough stencils to complete one subject: 63-7556 64-0726 63-7411 64-0905 64-0780 63-7497 63-7644 64-0918 64-0829

Louisiana ANG, 122 TFS, 1983 Arkansas ANG, 184 TFS, 1982 Arkansas ANG, 184 TFS, 1988 Missouri ANG, 110 TFS, 1984 Indiana ANG, 113 TFS, 1986 California ANG, 196 TFS, 1982 California ANG, 196 TFS, 1986 Texas ANG, 182 TFS, 1982 Texas ANG, 182 TFS, 1985

Also employed here was Kits-World’s KW148118, McDonnell F-4B, C & D Phantom stencilling for grey/white and camouflage schemes. The sheet was well printed and provided markings for one US Navy and one USAF aircraft.

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MODEL BUILD F-4C AIR NATIONAL GUARD  From the box the kit seats were quite basic and would require work to bring them to the required standard.

panel). Having completed the main components Halfords’ Primer Grey was applied to the cockpit assembly before the pre-painted, self-adhesive instrument panels and side consoles were added. Looking ahead, it was

evident the kit lacked any detail regarding the side walls. This deficit would be quite noticeable, particularly as the canopies would be raised, and so plastic card was used to fabricate various

MODEL SPEC BY:

There was no moulded detail on the cockpit walls, so scrap plastic card and strip was used to add refinement.

ACADEMY

STOCK CODE: 12294

SCALE:

The Eduard front and rear instrument panels possessed printed stunning detail.

1/48

PRICE: £36.99

AVAILABLE AT: pocketbond.co.uk

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internal features while studying Jake Melampy’s book The Modern Phantom Guide. With the main cockpit and the side-wall detail complete, focus turned to the seats. As mentioned earlier the kit seats were quite basic so the relevant Eduard set was used. Once the main seat components were together the parachute pack casing appeared too wide, and so was re-profiled with a sanding board. After receipt of a matt black base coat, the parachute pack, back pads and seat cushion were painted in varied tones of green. It was then time to add the detail in the form of the said PE set. This process was a

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F-4C AIR NATIONAL GUARD MODEL BUILD

EXTR A R E F I N E M EN T

Gunze Mr. Surfacer 500 tidied the intake and fuselage spine refuelling panel joins.

To raise the detail levels, photo-etched (PE) metal from Eduard came into play, with the following sets being used: 49 672 F-4C interior SA (Academy) 49 673 F-4C seatbelts (Academy) 48 800 F-4C exterior (Academy) 48 802 F-4C air brakes (Academy)

Certain details needed to be removed, namely the kick-in steps on the righthand side of the forward fuselage; these were only present on the left.

painless experience and in no time the seats started to resemble a Martin Baker Mk.7 ejection seat.

RHINO TORSO Moulded in one piece, similar in respects to Tamiya’s F-4, the upper fuselage was covered in fine

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engraving...so fine in places that a coat of paint would easily fill and therefore scupper any ideas of adding a panel line wash in the finishing stages. As a remedy, a pin and vice, and a razor saw, were used to deepen the surface detail. Another issue with the moulding was a ridge of flash along the spine section, but this was removed easily with sandpaper. The separate refuelling door section filled the void found in the forward fuselage and likewise, the void present on the left front fuselage was plugged with the appropriate part and faired with Gunze Mr. Surfacer 500. It was at this stage that the air intakes were fitted; the thinking behind this was that, firstly, it would ensure a good fuselage-intake join and secondly, would be easier to align the respective panel lines. After the intakes were attached, attention focussed on the ducting which was overly thick. The other problem was that a seam ran from the front to the back of the ducting. Sanding sticks and Wet and Dry paper thinned the edges and seam, and test-fitting

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MODEL BUILD F-4C AIR NATIONAL GUARD

A UX I LI A RY A I R BAY D E TA I L Before the main lower wing could be attached to the upper fuselage, it was noted that the two openings in the lower section, covered by the auxiliary doors, had no detail. With the help of various reference sources, scratch-building work began with 90 degree profile styrene strip, clear plastic pipettes, foil and wire.

 Mr. Surfacer helped to blend in the intakes, refuelling panel and the plug which covered the navystyle refuelling probe door. Rivet detail and panel lines were deepened or re-instated at this stage.

revealed a better join but the seam was still visible. There was one method that could eradicate the problem...the latex paint-dipping technique. Latex paint, more commonly known in the UK as emulsion in DIY stores, was thinned 50-50 with water and mixed in a small plastic cup. The intake ducting was modified temporarily with tape so that it became an equal-sided vessel. The prepared paint was then poured from front to rear until the duct was full. After 10 seconds the cardboard backing was removed, which allowed excess paint to flow out. This had the potential for making much mess so careful planning was essential. The ducting was held over a large piece of cardboard until the excess emulsion had ceased to drip. On the first attempt the results were reasonable, but the seam still showed in places. Afterwards, rather than thinning the paint, the ducts were given a thicker pouring and the result was far more

pleasing. Before the ducting could be fitted, the intakes’ internal surface had to be painted. The usual policy (although there were exceptions) had the area adjacent to the flat internal section of the splitter plate painted white. The front section of the intake, in the case of a European 1 aircraft, was coloured FS 16081 Engine Gray. So, with this in mind, the intake, minus the ducting was sprayed Xtracrylix XA1129 Dark Grey (FS 16081). The front section was then masked, whereupon a sprayed coat of satin white, matching the tones of that used to cover the ducting, was applied. Once dry the masking was removed it left a sharp demarcation between the grey and white; the ducting was then glued into position.

 To ease painting, the splitter plates were modified so they could be removed. This simply involved the cutting away of two retaining tabs.

 Tamiya tape was used to act as a channel for when emulsion paint was poured in the intake ducting.

WINGS AND TAIL There was nothing in the way to finally fit the lower fuselage, including the wings, to the upper fuselage and despite

 Not only did the fuselage receive attention, but also the wings. Recessed detail was deepened with a pin and vice.

By the 1980s the F-15-style tank (top) had been introduced to US Air Force F-4s. This was not included in the kit, and so a Hasegawa item came from the spares box.

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F-4C AIR NATIONAL GUARD MODEL BUILD REFERENCE The Modern Phantom Guide – The F-4 Phantom Exposed, by Jake Melampy (Reid Air Publications), ISBN: 978-09795064-5-1

 After a thicker application of latex (emulsion) paint was applied, the seam disappeared. Engine fronts were attached once the paint had dried.

several gaps along the wing/fuselage join, all went well; Mr. Surfacer 500 was used to fill the two fuselage sections. Inserts were provided in the kit to ensure the correct 12.5 degree dihedral was achieved for the outer wings, and so with this task done, it was time to fit the tail. The vertical stabiliser was moulded in one piece, save for the tip and rudder, and Academy included various versions of tips carried by navy and air force Phantoms...do check references for the actual aircraft one wishes to build. With the main airframe completed, work moved to the canopies and windscreen. A fine seam marred all the main clear parts, and was removed with fine abrasive paper and toothpaste... the latter helped to polish away the fine abrasions left by the Wet and Dry, and Johnson’s Klear restored the clarity of all treated parts. For the same reasons throughout this build, the canopies would be detailed with an Eduard custom-made PE set (49 672). This included canopy framing, mirrors, canopy locks and even the pilot’s standby compass. A further note is that by the time ‘829 was serving with the Texas ANG, it sported an external rear canopy mirror and as such negated fitting of the internal mirrors. A coat of matt black was applied to the internal canopy frame and,

F-4 Phantom IIs of the USAF Reserve and Air National Guard, by Don Logan (Schiffer), ISBN: 0-7643-1627-3 Phantoms Forever, by Robert F Dorr (Osprey) ISBN: 0-85045-742-4 USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1965-68, by Peter E Davies (Osprey) ISBN: 1-84176-656-9

 A wash of Paynes Grey added depth to the seats and this was enhanced by the addition of remove before flight tags

by spraying the rear section with Halfords’ Aluminium, and when dry the individual panels were highlighted with a wash of Daler-Rowney Paynes Grey oil paint. To achieve the burnt, sooty look of the areas directly behind the jet pipes, a thicker application of the above paint was hand-brushed. Kitchen roll was used, but less rigorously, so as not to remove too much of the paint.

The same process was used on the stabilators’ metal areas. The jet pipes comprised four well-detailed parts and once painted, with the help of Tamiya Weathering Master sets D and F, the nozzles really looked the part and so were attached to the airframe.

TO THE PAINT BARN Masking would be kept to a minimum in the rendering of the Euro 1 scheme, as this particular aircraft was noted for its rather worn appearance. This effect would be achieved through freehand airbrushing, but before spraying could commence the undercarriage bays were sprayed white and then masked. All

once dry, the raised detail was drybrushed with light grey paint.

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 As supplied, the heat exchanger intakes were shaped and positioned incorrectly, but with help from a good set of plans the kit parts were modified and a fine razor saw re-contoured the intakes’ profile.

STA B I LATO RS Academy offered slotted and un-slotted stabilators, the latter being relevant for the F-4C. However, neither included the retrofitted strengthening ‘triangle’ plates found on US Air Force F-4s during the 1980s.

 Having a number of Hasegawa F-4s in the stash, which included stabilators with the ‘triangles’, copies were produced by embossing adhesive metal foil…

tail band, and so white paint was drybrushed over the affected areas. With the inboard pylons and wing tanks having been attached prior to painting, it was time to marry the triple ejection racks with Mk.82 bombs. To add more colour (and accuracy) it was decided to

that was left to do was to mask the metal areas at the rear of the aircraft. Then, running from light to dark, spraying began with the application of Xtracrylix Green Vietnam XA1116 (FS 14102), followed by Forest Green XA1110 (FS 14079) and Dark Grey XA1129 (FS 16081). No problems were encountered throughout this stage and the quick-drying acrylic paints meant that the model was finished within an hour. Like the spraying, the decal stage went by without drama. The Caracal and Kits World decals were a joy to use and settled perfectly into the recessed detail. Being a Euro 1 F-4, it lacked the vast array of stencils carried in the previous Southeast Asia scheme and, as a consequence, the model was decaled and given a further sealing coat of Johnson’s Klear ready for the weathering stage.

 The Eduard Brassin Mk.82 bomb set (648093) offered six beautifully cast stores. Construction was straightforward and they were painted blue and green to denote practice munitions.

FINAL TOUCHES

…which was then cut out and positioned on the Academy items. Rivet detail was added with a pin and vice.

A mix of Daler-Rowney Paynes Grey and Mixing White was run along recessed lines. After studying photos of ‘829 it was noted to have chipped paintwork, especially around the intake lips and tips of the wing tanks. A fine brush loaded with silver paint helped to obtain this effect, and in many ways added interest to an otherwise lacklustre scheme. The extremes of high-speed flight had also taken their toll on the leading edge of the ‘Texas’

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 It was time to add the mass of cables found at the rear of the Weapons System Operator’s instrument panel. This also presented an opportunity to add cabling to the pilot’s instrument shroud.

cover ‘829 in remove before flight tags. Again Eduard came to the rescue with set 49009. All that remained was to attach the undercarriage and its associated doors, the canopies, a small number of aerials and the integral access ladder.

With the painting and decaling completed the model was given a brushed coat of Johnson’s Klear in preparation for weathering.

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IN FOCUS US PHANTOM WEAPONS: VIETNAM

SOUTHEAST ASIA

LOADS

 This war-weary F-4D flew with the 366th TFW in January 1969, and here it totes a mixed load of Mk.82 Snakeye retarded bombs on the centerline, and LAU-3 rocket pods with aerodynamic fairings on the inboard wing pylons. (Bryan Aleksich via Warren Thompson)

 The F-4E is being loaded with two gun pods under the wings. This was the only F-4 in the 366th TFW to do this (it became known as ‘Chico the Gunfighter’) and was used as a major strafing asset during a late afternoon sortie. When it came back to base, it was re-configured with a more conventional load of bombs for the next morning’s mission. SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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The crucible of Vietnam allowed the F-4 to trial a wide range of weaponry. Here, we provide a handy guide to just some of the stores carried by Phantoms during the conflict

 Major Milan Zimer poses with a load of Sidewinder missiles waiting to be loaded on his Phantom. He was a back-seater to Lt Col Robert F Titus who made multiple MiG kills. This F-4 was part of the 389th TFS at Da Nang AB, South Vietnam (Milan Zimer via Warren Thompson) 78

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US PHANTOM WEAPONS: VIETNAM IN FOCUS  Carrying a large load of Mk.82 Snakeye and fuze-extender 500lb bombs, this Phantom was part of the 435th TFS in May 1969. Just visible under the port wing are cluster bomb units, and an ALQ-87 ECM pod sits in the alternative position…on the starboard inboard pylon’s triple ejector rack. (James Woods via Warren Thompson)  A VMFA-323 ‘Death Rattlers’ F-4B unloads its complement of Mk.82 Snakeye 500lb bombs while over a target in Vietnam, in March 1967. (Gordon Keller via Warren Thompson)

 From VMFA-542 ‘Bengals’, based at Da Nang in December 1965, this US Marine Corps F-4B carries pods filled with 2.75in rocket inboard on triple ejection racks, and what appear to be the seldom-seen Mk.81 Snakeye retarded bombs. A fuel tanks fills the centerline station (Ed Sharron via Warren Thompson)

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IN FOCUS US PHANTOM WEAPONS: VIETNAM

 This 497th TFS ’Wolfpack’ F-4D has been fitted with Mk.82 slicks for its next mission. Note the Loran-D ‘towel rack’ aerial on the top of the fuselage. (Larry Counts via Warren Thompson)

 A 3,000lb GBU-11 laser-guided bomb, hangs from the inboard pylon of an F-4, deployed to Thailand from Homestead AFB in Florida, USA. It was assigned to the 380th TFS at Ubon. Note the yellow stripe around the bomb forebody, which denotes live high explosive. (Milan Zimer via Warren Thompson)  With a full load of Mk.82 fuze extenders and Slicks, and SUU-30 cannisters (filled with CBU-24s and CBU-49s), these 390th TFS head to North Vietnam in February 1970. (Ken Smith via Warren Thompson)

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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US PHANTOM WEAPONS: VIETNAM IN FOCUS

 These 390th TFS F-4Ds are loaded with Mk.82 fuze extenders, and SUU-30H cannisters (with CBU-52B bomblets inside). This shot was taken during refuelling on a mission in February 1970. (Ken Smith via Warren Thompson)

 AIM-7 missiles, M117 bombs and a centreline 20mm gun pod equip this F-4C Phantom from the 389th TFS/366TFW at Da Nang, in March 1968. (Milan Zimer via Warren Thompson)  This F-4E Phantom carries a dedicated air-to-air missile fit as it flies north on an escort mission; AIM-9 Sidewinders adorn rails on the inboard pylons, while AIM-7 Sparrows fill the under-fuselage stations. (Bill Rath via Warren Thompson)

 Carrying a load of fuze-extended Mk.82 under the wings, and SUU-30 cluster bomb units on the centerline, this F-4E was part of the 335th TFS / 4th TFW, which operated out of Ubon, Thailand in 1968. It also carries an ALQ-87 countermeasures pod in the starboard Sparrow Bay. (Milan Zimer via Warren Thompson)

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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IN PROFILE US PHANTOM WEAPONS: VIETNAM AIM-4D Falcon F-4 Launchers

Vietnam-era F-4E AIM-7 & AIM-9 Variants Bottom view of the LAU-42 side installation on the right inboard pylon (mirror image LAU-41 went on the left inboard).

Gloss White – FS 17875 Gloss Yellow – FS 13538

Gloss Black – FS 17038 Matt Brown – FS 30117

AIM-7E Original variant (Bottom view)

The LAU-43 bottom installation on either inboard pylon. Falcons were used by F-4Ds.

Sparrow radomes were matt white However, after a short period of use, the accumulated grime made them light grey.

M36E2 Funny Bomb M36 2 x AN-M152A1 fuzes M14 tail assembly

AIM-7E-2 Dogfight Sparrow Introduced 1968 (Rotated 45˚) AIM-9B seeker windows were clear. AIM-9B Original variant (Rotated 45˚)

182 (61+61+60) AN-M126 Thermite Bomblets

AIM-9E on AERO 3B Launch Rail with F-4 Pylon Adapters Introduced 1969

Mk.81 General Purpose Bombs with MAU-94 Conical Fins Non-Thermally Protected (NTP) Mk.82s USAF Mod 1: Tritonal-filled USN Mods 0/1: H-6-filled

Rollerons on these AIM-9s were a brass colour.

NTP Mk.81 Colours FS 34087 Olive Drab 3in (76mm) FS 33538 yellow nose band

Fin seals on AIM-9B/Es were 2.5in (63mm) in diameter and were orange (approx FS 21400).

AIM-9E/J seeker windows were medium grey.

(Left side)

Fuze windows shown. Actual fuze section appeared as a midnight blue band.

AIM-9J Introduced August 1972 (432nd TRW Udorn RTAFB only) (Rotated 45˚)

(Rotated 45˚)

Early LAU-7 Sidewinder Launchers LAU-7A/A September 1968 AIM-9B F-4C

Mk.82 General Purpose Bombs with MAU-93 Conical Fins Non-Thermally Protected (NTP) Mk.82s USAF Mod 1: Tritonal-filled USN Mod 1: H-6-filled

NTP Mk.82 Colours FS 34087 Olive Drab 3in (76mm) FS 33538 yellow nose band

LAU-7/A-3 January 1971 AIM-9B/D/G/H F-4B/J/N,

(Left side)

M117 GP Bomb with M131 Conical Fin (Rotated 45˚)

USAF BLU-Series Napalm BLU-1 750lb (340kg) Napalm

BLU-27A/B 750lb (340kg) Napalm finned or unfinned

MXU-469/B welded fin

x 33% = 1/144; x 67% = 1/72; x 150% = 1/32

© Jim Rotramel 2014

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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US PHANTOM WEAPONS: VIETNAM IN PROFILE SUU-30 Dispenser Variants

PAVE Way I GBU-10 Laser-Guided Bomb 2,000lb (907kg) Mk.84 Warhead with KMU-351 Guidance Kit

SUU-30/B

Non-Thermally Protected (NTP) Mk.84 Mods 0/1/2/4: H-6-filled (USN) Mk.84 Mod 2: Tritonal-filled (USAF)

SUU-31/B

M907 fuze CBU-24/B, -29B, -49/B

Thermally Protected (TP) Mk.84 Mod 3: H-6-filled CBU-49 band

M339 fuze CBU-23/B Rolling Thunder (from May 1968)

CBU-24 (no band)

FS 34087 Olive Drab 1 x 3 FS 33538 yellow nose band (NTP) 2 x 3 FS 33538 yellow nose bands (TP)

SUU-30/B Mod

M907 fuze CBU-24/B Mod, -29/B Mod, -49B

BSU-3B wing

SUU-30A/B

M907 fuze CBU-24A/B, -29A/B, -49A/B

CBU-29 band

SUU-30C/B

FMU-26, FMU-56, or M907 fuzes CBU-24C/B, -29C/B, -49C/B Linebacker (1972)

With BSU-4/B Fin Top (USAF) BSU-3B wing

SUU-30B/B

FMU-26, FMU-56, M907, or Mk.339 fuzes CBU-24B/B, -29B/B, -49B/B, -52/B, -71/B

8in (20cm) yellow ring, reportedly CBU-29

Front View (BSU-37/B fin)

Rear View (slow speed)

FMU-26 electrical time fuze Same band location for all CBUs

8in (20cm) yellow disc, reportedly CBU-49

SUU-30B/B

FMU-26, FMU-56, M907, or Mk 339 fuzes CBU-24B/B, -29B/B, -52/B, -52/B, -58/B

FMU-56 electrical proximity fuze

KMU-342/B 750lb (340kg) Laser-Guided Bomb

With BSU-37/B Wing Left Side (USAF)

The original LGB design, the M117 with KMU-342/B guidance kit underwent combat evaluation by the 433rd TFS (part of the 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand) between May 15 and August 8, 1968. Loaded as ‘flat twos’, on TERs mounted on inboard pylons, the left bomb was mounted in an ‘X’ and the right in a ‘+’ configuration. However, it proved less accurate and less effective than the Mk.84 LGB and was quickly abandoned. Left TER Station With BSU-37/B Wing Rotated 45˚ (USN)

PAVE Way I GBU-11 Laser-Guided Bomb

Detector Pivot Point HRU-813/B Conduit

3,000lb (1,360kg) M118E1 Warheads with KMU-370 Guidance Kit M118: FS 34087 Olive Drab FS 33538 yellow bands

Control fin axis

Note: PAVE Way I LGBs did not obtain "GBU" designations until 15 February 1973, after the end of the Vietnam War. Prior to then, they were referred to as BOLT-118, KMU-370, or simply M118 LGB.

Right TER Station (fin planform)

Mk.36 Mines & Mk.82 Bombs w/Mk.15 Snakeye Fins

With BSU-9A/B Fin Left Side

using Mk.82 Warheads

BSU-9/B Fin Rotated 135˚

NTP Mk.82s USAF Mod 1: Tritonal-filled USN Mod 1: H-6-filled

NTP Mk.82 Colours FS 34087 Olive Drab 1 x 3 FS 33538 yellow nose band

Mk.36 Destructor Left Side

PAVE Way I GBU-12 Laser-Guided Bombs

Mk.82 Bomb Rotated 45˚

500lb (226kg) Mk.82 Warheads with KMU-388 Guidance Kit

Mk.82 Left Side

Slow Speed Left Side (USAF)

The last 5 5/8in of TP Mk.82s was not covered with TP to accommodate the overlap of the Mk.15 fins.

Slow Speed Rotated 45˚ (USN)

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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All drawings 1/48 scale

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ACCESSORIES F-4 PHANTOM

PHANTOM ACCESSORIES & DECALS

AIRE7083 F-4 wheel bays (Revell)

AIRE4330 RF-4B detail set (Hasegawa)

32013 Red FOD covers (Revell)

AIRE7118 F-4B/C/D/N exhaust nozzles (Hasegawa)

AIRE4510 F-4E/F auxiliary air intake (Hasegawa)

32027 Martin Baker Mk.7H ejection seat

AIRE7128 F-4E/F/J/EJ/S exhaust nozzles (Hasegawa)

AIRE4578 F-4B/N auxiliary air intake (Academy)

AIRE7241 F-4B/C/D/N exhaust nozzles (Fujimi)

AIRE4579 F-4B/N wheel bays (Academy)

ince the 'glory days' of Phantom kit production the list of accessories has grown exponentially, and continues to do so since Academy launched its new 1/48 kits. Here's a useful array of after-market products, most still being available.

AIRE7246 F-4E/F/G/J/S exhaust nozzles (Fujimi)

AIRE4583 F-4B electronics bay (Academy)

AIRE7272 F-4E cockpit set (Hasegawa)

AIRE4611 F-4C cockpit set (Academy)

AIRE7294 F-4G cockpit set (Hasegawa)

AIRE4621 F-4C/D wheel bays (Academy)

1/48

AIRE4622 F-4D (Late Version) cockpit set (Academy)

S

AEROBONUS BY AIRES

AIRE4580 F-4B/N cockpit set (Academy)

AIRE4118 F-4F/G/EJ/S exhaust nozzles (Hasegawa)

AIRE2009 F-4E to S exhaust nozzles (Tamiya)

AIRE4126 F-4E/F cockpit set (Hasegawa)

AIRE2052 Martin Baker Mk.H7 ejection seats

(www.aires.cz) QAB100001 Mascot figure for F-4 - 90mm

AIRE4142 Martin Baker Mk.H7 ejection seats

1/48

AIRE4155 F-4B/N cockpit set (Hasegawa)

QAB480055 USN style wing pylons for F-4B/J/N/S (Academy/Hasegawa)

AIRE4160 F-4J/S cockpit set (Hasegawa)

32034 F-4E corrected nose (Revell) 32040 Martin Baker Mk.H5 (pre-1970) ejection seat 32059 F-4H1/A/B/N Main wheels 32065 F-4E/F RF-4C/E moveable surface (Revell) 32066 Corrected variable intake ramps (Tamiya) 32072 IFR probe for Israeli F-4E

1/32

AIRE4123 F-4B/C/D/N wheel bays (Hasegawa) AIRE4128 F-4B/C/D/N exhaust nozzles (Hasegawa)

32030 F-4D AN/ALR RHAW ‘herpes’ antenna receiver set (Tamiya)

AVIONIX (www.squadron.com) 1/32 BLC32001 F-4J cockpit set (Tamiya)

AIRE2062 F-4J/S cockpit set (Tamiya)

BLC32004 RF-4E (Recce) nose conversion (Tamiya)

AIRE2074 F-4B/C/D/N exhaust nozzles

BLC32019 F-4E cockpit set (Tamiya)

AIRWAVES (www.hannants.co.uk)

BLC32042 F-4D cockpit set LORAN update (Tamiya)

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BLC32043 F-4C cockpit set (Tamiya)

AEC72022 F-4J cockpit set (Hasegawa) AEC72023 F-4 canopy Set (Hasegawa)

BLACK BOX

AEC72035 F-4E/J seat harness

1/48

AEC72213 F-4 wing fold (Hasegawa)

BB48058 F-4D cockpit set (Hasegawa)

1/48 AEC48013 F-4J cockpit set (Hasegawa) AEC48014 F-4 canopy set (Hasegawa) AEC48024 F-4E/J seat harness

 QAB480070 F-4B/J/N/S US Navy pilot

AEC48099 F-4 wing fold (Hasegawa)

and operator in ejection seats

CROSSDELTA (www.crossdelta.com) 1/32 CD32003 F-4 Phantom II formation lights & stiffeners

1/32 AEC32002 F-4E/J Seat Harness (Revell/ Tamiya)

AIRDOC (www.shopofphantoms.com) 1/48

 AIRE4220 RF-4B cockpit set (Hasegawa)

ADR4801 F-4E/RF-4C AN/ANR-101 conversion (Hasegawa/Revell)

AIRE4226 F-4G cockpit set (Hasegawa)

ALLEY CAT (www.a2zeemodels.co.uk)

AIRE4231 RF-4B/C photo bay (Hasegawa)

ADR4803 F-4C/D/E/EJ/E(S)/F/G RF-4E Inboard Pylons (Hasegawa/Revell) ADR4807 F-4E/RF-4C/E In-flight Refuelling probe (Hasegawa/Revell)

1/48

AIRE7075 F-4F cockpit set (Revell)

1/48 DM48M001 F-4E landing gear (Hasegawa)

EDUARD (www.eduard.com) 1/72

1/32

72411 F-4 FOD covers (Hasegawa) 72446 F-4F/RF-4E FOD covers (Revell)

AIRE4245 F-4D cockpit set (Hasegawa)

32006 Red FOD covers and nose gear locks (Tamiya)

AIRE4255 F-4D (late version) cockpit set (Hasegawa)

32009 Red FOD covers ‘early’ type used in Vietnam (Tamiya)

73201 F-4E cockpit pre-painted (Hasegawa)

 AIRE4240 F-4C cockpit set (Hasegawa)

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

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DIVISION MINIATURE (www.hlj.com)

48014 Red FOD protection covers (Hasegawa/Monogram)

WMF48018 F-4 Refuelling Boom

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1/32 CMF32126 Vietnam War Aces Steve Richie figure (F-4E)

www.store.spruebrothers.com)

ADR4811 IAF RF-4E and USAF RF-4C upgrade/conversion set (Hasegawa)

AIRES (www.aires.cz)

AC48029C F-4B seamless intakes (Academy)

AMS RESIN (www.amsresin.com,

ADR4810 F-4B/F-4C/F-4D/F-4F/ RF-4C/RF-4E unslotted stabilators (Hasegawa/Revell)

CMQ71289 F-4B/N wheels(Hasegawa) CMQ72190 F-4J/S wheels (Hasegawa)

AC48031C F-4K/M seamless intakes (Hasegawa)

ADR4809 F-4C/F-4D Phantom with AN/ ALR-69(Hasegawa)

(www.cmkkits.com)

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1/48

AC48030C F-4J seamless intakes (Hasegawa)

ADR4808 Israeli AF F-4E/E(S) Sparrow missile bay pylon and launch rail (Hasegawa/Revell)

CMK/CZECH MASTER KITS

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72395 F-4E exhaust (Hasegawa)

72448 F-4 ladder (Hasegawa/Revell)

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F-4 PHANTOM ACCESSORIES 73207 F-4B/N interior/exterior details pre-painted (Hasegawa) 73209 F-4J interior/exterior details prepainted (Hasegawa)

49063 F-4 ejection seat details and seat belts green fabric (Academy/Hasegawa/ Monogram/Revell)

49672 F-4C interior details SA (Academy) 49673 F-4C ejection seat details and seat belts (Academy) EX004 F-4 canopy and wheel mask set (Hasegawa)

73264 F-4F interior/exterior details prepainted (Hasegawa) CX025 F-4 canopy mask (Hasegawa)

EX078 RF-4B/E canopy and wheel mask set (Hasegawa)

CX130 F-4E/RF-4 canopy mask (Revell)

EX393 F-4B canopy mask set (Academy)

CX135 RF-4 canopy mask (Hasegawa)

EX414 F-4C canopy mask set (Academy)

SS201 F-4E interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

FE231 F-4E interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

SS207 F-4B/N interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

FE243 F-4 cockpit and exterior placards pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

SS209 F-4J interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

FE257 F-4G interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

SS264 F-4F interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

FE259 RF-4E interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

SS265 RF-4C interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

 49064 F-4 ejection seat details

FE260 RF-4B interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

BIG7203 F-4E contains 72395, ED72411, 73008, 73201,CX025 (Hasegawa)

and seat belts grey fabric (Academy/ Hasegawa/Monogram/Revell)

FE319 F-4J/S interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

BIG7206 F-4J contains 72395, ED72411, 73008, 73209, CX025 (Hasegawa)

49231 F-4E cockpit and canopy prepainted (Hasegawa)

FE340 RF-4C interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

BIG7208 F-4B/N contains 72395, ED72411, 73008, 73207, CX025 (Hasegawa)

49257 F-4G cockpit, canopy and exterior details pre-painted (Hasegawa)

BIG7223 F-4F contains 72395, ED72411, 73008, 73264, CX025 (Hasegawa)

49260 RF-4B cockpit, canopy and exterior details pre-painted (Hasegawa)

1/48

49319 F-4J/S cockpit, canopy and exterior details pre-painted (Hasegawa)

BIG4990 F-4B contains EX393 48773 48779 49605 49644 49009 (Academy) BIG49100 F-4C contains 48800, 48802, 49009, 49672, 49673, EX414 (Academy)

1/32 32025 F-4F exterior (Revell) 32073 F-4E exterior (Tamiya) 32074 F-4E armament (Tamiya) 32079 F-4C/D/E/J ejection seat details and seat belts (Tamiya)

 32080 F-4E exhaust (Tamiya)

32148 F-4C/F-4D exterior (Tamiya) 32503 F-4E interior pre-painted (Tamiya) 32509 F-4 cockpit and exterior placards pre-painted (Tamiya) 32511 F-4 ejection seat details and seat belts green fabric pre-painted (Tamiya)

49340 RF-4C cockpit, canopy and exterior details pre-painted (Hasegawa)

32512 F-4 ejection seat details and seat belts grey fabric pre-painted (Tamiya)

49532 F-4C cockpit, canopy and exterior details pre-painted SA (Hasegawa)

 FE363 RF-4E IDF interior pre-painted

49533 F-4B cockpit, canopy and exterior details pre-painted SA (Hasegawa)

FE532 F-4C interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

49535 F-4D cockpit, canopy and exterior details pre-painted SA (Hasegawa)

FE533 F-4B interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

49541 F-4N cockpit, canopy and exterior details pre-painted SA (Hasegawa)

FE535 F-4D interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

32545 F-4D interior pre-painted (Tamiya)

49605 F-4B ejection seat details and seatbelts (Academy)

FE541 F-4N interior pre-painted Zoom set (Hasegawa)

33034 F-4J interior SA (Tamiya)

Zoom set (Hasegawa)

FE644 F-4B interior details pre-painted SA (Academy) FE672 F-4C interior details pre-painted SA (Academy)

 48118 F-4J/S cockpit detail set (Hasegawa)

32530 F-4J cockpit, canopy and exterior details pre-painted (Tamiya) 32531 F-4 formation lights pre-painted (Tamiya) 32544 F-4C interior pre-painted (Tamiya) 33027 F-4E interior pre-painted (Tamiya) 33056 F-4D interior pre-painted SA (Tamiya) JX004 F-4E/J canopy mask set (Tamiya) JX014 F-4E/J canopy mask set (Tamiya)

XF169 F-4J Canopy and Wheel Masks (Monogram)

48434 F-4 FOD covers (Hasegawa)

BIG4809 F-4E contains 48434, 48462, 49009, 49014, 49231, EX004, FE243 (Hasegawa)

48462 F-4E exhaust (Hasegawa) 48773 F-4B exterior (Academy) 48779 F-4B airbrakes (Academy)

BIG4813 F-4G contains 48434, 48462, 49009, 49014, 49257, EX004, FE243 (Hasegawa)

48800 F-4C exterior SA (Academy) 48802 F-4C airbrakes (Academy) 49014 F-4 ejection seat details/green type pre-painted (Hasegawa)

BIG4820 RF-4B contains 48434, 48462, 49009, 49015, 49260, FE243, XF228 (Hasegawa)

49015 F-4 ejection seat details/grey type pre-painted (Hasegawa) 49023 British Phantom ejection seat details and seat belts (Revell/Hasegawa)

BIG4840 F-4J/S contains 48434, 48462, 49009, 49015, 49319, EX004, FE243 (Hasegawa)

 49644 F-4B interior details SA (Academy)

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BIG4837 Phantom FGR.2 contains 48434, 49009, 49023, 49262, EX004, FE243 (Hasegawa) BIG4961 F-4N contains 48434 48462 49009 49014 49541 EX004 F-4 (Hasegawa)

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 JX501 F-4 mask set for ‘useful areas’

- weapons, walkways, formation lights, exhausts (Tamiya) XL517 F-4 etched stencil data paint mask (Revell/Tamiya) BIG3202 F-4E contains 32073, 32074, 32080, 32501, 32503, 32509, 32511, XL035, XL511 (Tamiya)

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ACCESSORIES F-4 PHANTOM BIG3221 F-4J contains 32080, 32501, 32509, 32511, 32530, 32531, JX014, JX501, XL517 (Tamiya) BIG3233 F-4C contains 32079, 32080, 32148, 32501, 32509, 32511, 32531, 32544, JX501 (Tamiya)

ISRACAST (www.isradecal.com)

648114 F-4B/N wheels (Academy) 648142 F-4C wheels (Academy)

1/48 48005 F-4 outboard armament wing pylons (Hasegawa)

FALCON (www.falconmodels.co.nz)

48034 IAF RF-4E conversion set (Hasegawa)

1/48

BIG3234 F-4D contains 32079, 32080, 32148, 32501, 32509, 32511, 32531, 32545, JX501 (Tamiya)

Set 53 US Navy Part IV includes open F-4 canopies (Hasegawa)

1/32 32028 IAF F-4E Kurnass conversion set (Tamiya)

FLIGHTPATH UK

EDUARD BRASSIN

(www.djparkins.com)

1/32

1/72

LEGEND PRODUCTIONS

632001 F-4C/D/E/F/G seats x 2 (Tamiya)

(www-legend.co.kr)

632002 F-4B/J/N/S seats x 2 (Tamiya)

1/48

632005 F-4C/D/E/F/G wheels (Tamiya)

LF4026 F-4J cockpit set (Revell/ Monogram)

632006 F-4J/S wheels (Tamiya) 632008 F-4C/D exhaust nozzles USAF for early versions (Tamiya)

LF4027 F-4J cockpit set (Hasegawa)

632010 F-4 exhaust nozzles USAF late versions (Tamiya)

LF3204 F-4E cockpit set (Revell)

632011 F-4 exhaust nozzles USN late

MAESTRO MODELS

1/32

1/48

(www.maestromodels.com)

648009 F-4C/D/E/F/G ejection seats (Hasegawa)

 F-4K/F-4M ladders - RAF/Royal Navy (Fujimi/Hasegawa kits)

648012 F-4C/D/E/F/G wheels (Hasegawa)

F-4 ladders (Airfix, Esci, Hasegawa, Italeri, Matchbox Monogram)

1/72 MMK7274 F-4 IFR probe

MASTER MODEL

1/48

(www.master-model.pl)

RAF/Royal Navy F4 Access Ladder

1/72

1/32

AM72035 F-4 pitot - short nose versions

F-4C/D tail pipe set (Tamiya)

AM72036 F-4 pitot - long nose versions

F-4E/F/G airframe set (Revell)

1/48

F-4J tail pipe set (Tamiya) F-4C/F-4D/F-4J short nose radome (Tamiya)

 SM72030 Mini Mask F-4/RF-4 (exterior) (Revell)

SM72080 Mini Mask F-4 (exterior) (Hasegawa)

1/48 SM48059 Mini Mask F-4 (exterior and interior) (Hasegawa) SM48153 Mini Mask RF-4 (exterior and interior) (Hasegawa) SM48239 Mini Mask F-4J (exterior and interior) (Italeri) SM48385 Mini Mask F-4 (exterior and interior) (Academy)

NORTHSTAR MODELS (northstarmodels.com)

1/72 NS72023-a F-4C/D/E/F II wheels set ‘No mask’ series

1/48 NS48045-a F-4C/D/E/F II wheels set ‘No mask’ series

F-4E/F airframe set (Revell) F-4G Wild Weasel chin pod (Revell)

PAVLA MODELS (www.pavlamodels.cz)

 648014 F-4B/N wheels (Hasegawa)

648015 F-4J/S wheels (Hasegawa)

G-FACTOR

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(email: [email protected]; website soon at www.g-factormodels.com)

S72001 Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat

1/48

1/48

 AM48049 F-4 pitot - short nose

GFM-048001 F-4 brass landing gear (Hasegawa)

versions AM48050 F-4 pitot - long nose versions

1/32

S48009 Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat

PLATZ (www.platz-hobby.com) 1/72

HOBBY DECAL

AM32043 F-4 pitot - short nose versions

(www.hobbydecal.com)

AM32044 F-4 pitot - long nose versions

72-03 JASDF F-4EJ Kai cockpit details

MK.1 DESIGN (www.ka-models.com)

QUICKBOOST BY AIRES

1/72  648019 F-4B/J/N/S ejection seat

72002V1 F-4 long nose pitot Tube/AOA probe set

(Hasegawa)

1/48

648022 F-4B/C/D/N exhaust nozzles J79-GE-8/15 (Hasegawa)

48002V1 F-4 long nose pitot Tube/AOA probe set

648023 F-4E/F/G/J/S exhaust nozzles J79-GE-10/17 (Hasegawa)

1/32

648067 F-4J/S radar (Hasegawa)

MA-48006 F-4B detail-up parts (Academy) MA-48007 F-4B exhausts (Academy)

MONTEX (www.montex-mask.com)

32002V1 F-4 long nose pitot Tube/AOA probe set

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

84-87_Accessories.CC.indd 86

1/48

1/72 86

(www.aires.cz)

1/72 QB72011 F-4 ejection seats x 2 with moulded in belts

1/48 QB48004 F-4 ejection seats x 2 with moulded in belts

W W W. A I R F I X M O D E LWO R L D.CO M

27/10/2014 16:17

F-4 PHANTOM ACCESSORIES QB48159 F-4 air intakes (Hasegawa)

SBA48038 F-4 intake plugs (Hasegawa)

SBA95012 F-4C/D/E SEAsia scheme

WINGMAN MODELS

QB48615 F-4B/N air intake covers (Academy)

SBA48052 F-4J update set (Revell/Esci)

1/32

(www.wingmanmodels.com)

SBA48053 F-4S update set (Monogram)

SBA33022 F-4 ‘slime lights’

QB48616 F-4B/N undercarriage covers (Academy)

1/48

SBA48054 F-4J wing trunnion Plates

1/32

SBA48057 F-4 air scoops

QB32069 F-4 ejection seats with seat belts (Tamiya)

SBA48061 F-4 flame holders (Monogram)

SBA48056 F-4J/S wheel set

TRUE DETAILS (www.squadron.com)

1/72

SBA48069 F-4S update set (Hasegawa)

QB32089 F-4E/J F.O.D. front covers (Tamiya)

SBA48082 F-4 intake plugs pre-painted Red (Hasegawa)

SBS MODEL (www.sbsmodel.com) 1/72

 WMF48018 F-4E/RF-4C refuelling boom

SBA48091 F-4 tail hook (Hasegawa)

1/32

SBA48092 F-4 fuel dump post (Hasegawa)

WMF32003 F-4E/F/G slatted wing conversion

SBA48101 F-4 nose air scoops (Academy)  72006 F-4C/D/E/F/G wheel set

WMF32004 F-4S slatted wing conversion

(Airfix/Esci/Italeri/Hasegawa/Revell) 72007 F-4B/N/RF-4Bwheel set (Academy/ Airfix/Fujimi/Hasegawa/Revell) 72009 F-4J/S wheel set (Fujimi/ Hasegawa/ Monogram)  SBA48107 F-4 intake plugs (Academy)

SBA48120 F-4 intake plugs pre-painted Red (Academy) SBA48987 F-4J conversion (Academy F-4C/D) SBA49041 F-4S stiffeners SBA49048 US Air Force ‘slime lights’ SBA49054 F-4 ‘slime lights’  72004 F-4E/F-4F cockpit set (Revell)

SBA80001 F-4 walkway mask set

SCALE AIRCRAFT CONVERSIONS

SBA80002 F-4 control surface mask set (Hasegawa)

(www.scaleaircraftconversions.com)

1/72 72081 F-4 landing gear (Hasegawa)

1/48 48017 F-4 Phantom landing gear (Hasegawa) 48081 Phantom FG.1 landing gear (Hasegawa)

WP72018 F-4 hard wing flap set (Hasegawa)

1/48

WP72019 F-4K/M flap set (Hasegawa)

48043 F-4C/D/E/F/G wheel set (Hasegawa)

WP72027 Martin Baker Mk.H7 ejection

48051 F-4J/S wheel set (Hasegawa)

WP72038 F-4EJ ‘KAI’ JASDF flap set

48053 F-4B/N (Hasegawa)

1/48

48405 Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat x 2 for F-4, F-8 etc

WP48039 F-4E Peace Pheasant II (ROKAF) update set (Hasegawa)

seats

48517 F-4J cockpit (Hasegawa) 48518 F-4E cockpit (Hasegawa)

SBA80003 F-4 wheel Bay mask set (Hasegawa)

48522 F-4 intakes (Hasegawa)

SBA80004 F-4 exhaust Area mask set (Hasegawa)

48524 F-4 pylons USN version (Hasegawa)

SBA80244 F-4 ADC national insignia masks

48525 F-4 pylons USAF version (Hasegawa)

SBA80245 F-4 USN/USMC national insignia masks

1/32

SBA80248 F-4 fuselage masks (Hasegawa)

32401 Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat x 2 (Revell/Tamiya)

 WP48049 F-4EJ ‘KAI’ JASDF update set (Hasegawa)

32003 F-4E wheel set (Revell/Tamiya)

VERLINDEN PRODUCTIONS

SBA80251 F-4 wheel bay masks (Academy) SBA80252 F-4 control surfaces masks (Academy)

1/32

72415 Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat

48516 F-4C cockpit (Hasegawa)

SBA80250 F-4 exhaust area masks (Academy)

Eduard)

1/72

48425 Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat x 2

SBA80249 F-4 nose/radome masks (Academy)

 48215 F-4B landing gear (Academy/

WOLFPACK DESIGN (www.wolfpack-d.com)

SBA80253 F-4 fuselage masks (Academy)

(www.verlindenonline.com)

 WP48068 F-4 hard wing flap set (Hasegawa)

1/72

WP48069 F-4K/M flap set (Hasegawa)

0439 Martin-Baker ejection seats Mk.7

WP48146 F-4 wing fold set (Hasegawa)

1/48

WP48170 F-4B/N update set (Academy)

0373 Martin-Baker ejection seats Mk.7

WP48171 Martin Baker Mk.H7 ejection seats for F-4J/N/S

0510 F-4E update (Hasegawa)

SBA80254 F-4 national insignia masks Hi-Vis Scheme

1/32

WP48173 Martin Baker Mk.H5 ejection seats for F-4B/C/D

32039 F-4C/D/E/F landing gear (Revell)

SBA85019 F-4 complete fuselage mask Set (Academy)

1115 Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seats x2

STEEL BEACH ACCESSORIES

SBA85028 F-4C/D/E SE Asia scheme (Hasegawa)

1126 RF-4C cockpit detail set (Revell)

WP32024 F-4 hard wing flap set (Tamiya)

1406 F-4C/D detail set (Tamiya)

SBA85029 F-4C/D SE Asia scheme (Academy)

2178 US fighter pilot Vietnam era F-4/ F-105

WP32040 F-4EJ ‘KAI’ JASDF update set (Tamiya)

(www.steel-beach.com)

1/48

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

84-87_Accessories.CC.indd 87

87

1/32

WP32070 F-4D cockpit set (Tamiya)

W W W. A I R F I X M O D E LWO R L D.CO M

27/10/2014 16:17

DECALS F-4 PHANTOM AIRDOC/DOUBLE UGLY!

AUSSIE DECALS

(www.shopofphantoms.com)

(www.southernskymodels.com.au)

CAM32009 F-4B VF-51 Screaming Eagles

1/72

1/72 A72036 F-4E (RAAF)

CAM32010 F-4B VF-84 Jolly Rogers

ADM72007 British Phantoms – The FGR.2 (F-4M) of the RAF in Germany

1/48 A48026 F-4E (RAAF)

CAM32011 F-4B VMFA-321 Hell’s Angels MG/6 151007 MARTD ANDREWS

722002 F-4B/J/N VF-41 Black Aces (6) includes F-4B AG/100 CAG; F-4N AE/100 CAG

1/48

1/32 A32006 F-4E (RAAF)

CAM32012 F-4B VMFA-312 Checkerboard CAM32013 F-4J VMFA-232 Red Devils WT/ Bi-Centennial

CAM DECALS (www.camdecals.com)

CAM32014 F-4J VF-33 Tarsiers

1/72 CAM72003 F-4J (2) VF-33 Tarsiers; VF-74 Be-Devillers U.S.S. Nimitz 1976

CAM32015 F-4J VMFA-321 Hell’s Angels MAG-41 Det A Retirement Scheme 1972-91

CAM72004 F-4J (2) VF-114 Aardvarks; VF-21 Freelancers

CAM32016 F-4N VMFA-531 Grey Ghosts

CAM72005 F-4N Bi-Centennial schemes (2) VF-151 Vigilantes; VF-161 Chargers

CAM32018 F-4B VF-102 Diamond Back

CAM32017 F-4J VF-41 Black Aces

CAM72011 F-4 Hi-vis Data for 2 x USN and 2 x USMC aircraft CAM72013 F-4B (2) VF-51 Screaming Eagles; VF-111 Sundowners CAM72014 F-4J (2) VF-103 Sluggers; VF-11 CAG

Part 2 Norm 72 Camouflage

CAM72017 F-4B (2) VMFA-323 Death Rattlers 1967; VMFA-122 Crusaders 1968

ADM72018 Luftwaffe RF-4E Part 2 Norm 72 Camouflage

CAM72018 F-4B (2) VMFA-321 Hell’s Angels; VMFA-312 Checkerboards

AIRS7302 F-4F Luftwaffe stencils and walkways for Norm 72 camouflage schemes Pt 2

CAM72019 F-4B (2) VF-102 Diamondbacks; VF-111 Sundowners shark mouth CAM72026 F-4J (2) VF-41 Black Aces; VF-213 Black Lions CAG

AIRS7303 RF-4E Luftwaffe stencils and walkways for Norm 72 camouflage schemes Pt 2

CAM72028 F-4J (2) VF-191 Satan’s Kittens Bi-Centennial; VF-33 Tarsiers

48002 F-4B/J/N VF-41 Black Aces (6) includes F-4B AG/100 CAG; F-4NAE/100 CAG ADM48007 British Phantoms – The FGR.2 (F-4M) of the RAF in Germany ADM48017 Luftwaffe F-4Fs Pt 2 Norm 72 Camouflage

CAM32020 F-4B VMFA-323 Death Rattlers

CAM48002 F-4B (2) VMFA-333 Shamrocks; VMFA-334 Falcons

CAM32021 F-4N VF-151 Vigilantes

CAM72036 Phar East Phantoms JASDF F-4EJ (3)

CAM48005 F-4J (2) 157308 VF-11 Red Rippers CAG; VF-74 Be-Devilers

CAM32026 F-4N VMFA-323 Death Rattlers NK/100 150480 CAG

CAM48011 F-4J/S (2) F-4J VF-191 1976 Bi-Centennial; F-4S VF-301 Ferris camo

CAM32027 F-4B VMFA-321 Thunderbolts DW/00 148398 MAG 32

CAM48022 F-4B/J(2) F-4B VF-102; F-4J VF213 CAG

CAM32028 F-4J VMFA-312 Checkerboards

CAM48024 F-4B (2) VMFA-122; VMFA-32 COMAG-32

CAM32030 F-4J VMFA-334 Falcons

CAM48037 F-4J VMFA-115 CAM48070 F-4B (2) VMFA-312 Checkerboards; VMFA-323 Death Rattlers Vietnam 1967 CAM48081 F-4M Phantom FGR.2 60th Anniversary Alcock and Brown Transatlantic Flight CAM48102 F-4E Phantom (3) 34TFS; 469 TFS; 4 TFW CAM48A01 Formation light stripes and blocks including F-4

1/32 ADM32001 Luftwaffe F-4Fs Pt 1 Norm 90J 3 tone grey camouflage

CAMP4819 F-4B VMFA-115 Silver Eagles

1/32

ADM32002 Luftwaffe RF-4Es Pt 1 Norm 83A/B Green/Green/Grey Lizard camouflage

CAM32001 F-4J VF-11 Red Rippers AA/100 157308 CAG

ADM32011 Luftwaffe F-4Fs Pt 2 Norm 72 Camouflage

 CAM72037 Phar East Phantoms JASDF F-4EJ (1)

ADM32012 Luftwaffe RF-4Es Pt 2 Norm 72 Camouflage

CAM72042 Phantom FGR.2 1979 Alcock and Brown Transatlantic Flight Anniversary

CAM32002 F-4J VF-21 Freelancers CAM32003 F-4N VF-161 ChargersNF/100 150452 Bi-Centennial CAM32004 F-4B VF-32 Swordsmen AB/200 152972 CAG CAM32005 F-4J VF-74 Be-Devilers

CAM72053 F-4 USN and USMC Wing Walkways 2 black, 1 grey

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

CAM32007 F-4B VF-111 Sundowners

88

CAM32024 F-4B VF-121 Pacemakers CAM32025 F-4C 63-1776 58TFW Bi-Centennial Vietnam camouflage

CAM48035 F-4EJ KAI 306 TFS 10th Anniversary Japanese ASDF

AIRS4903 RF-4E Luftwaffe stencils and walk ways for Norm 72 camouflage schemes Pt 2

CAM32022 F-4B VF-111 Sundowners NL/201 153019 Sharkmouth

CAM48004 F-4J (2) VF-114 Aardvarks CAG; VF-41 Black Aces

CAM48030 RF-4B/F-4J (2) RF-4B VMFP-3; F-4J VMFA-312

AIRS4902 F-4F Luftwaffe stencils and walkways for Norm 72 camouflage schemes Pt 2

88-91_Decals.indd 88

Swordsmen CAG; VF-121 Pacemakers

CAM48026 F-4B/J (2) F-4B VMFA-323 Death Rattlers; F-4J VMFA-232 Bi-Centennial

CAM72030 F-4N/S (2) F-4N VMFA-531 Grey Ghosts; F-4S VMFA-321 Hell’s Angels

ADM48018 Luftwaffe RF-4Es Pt 2 Norm 72 Camouflage

AIRS3302 RF-4E Luftwaffe stencils and walkways for Norm 72 camouflage schemes Pt 2

CAM32019 F-4J VF-213 Black Lions NH/100 155882 CAG

CAM48025 F-4J (2) VF-51 CAG; VF-33 Tarsiers

CAM72029 F-4J (2) VMFA-115 Bi Centennial; VMFA-333 Shamrocks

1/48

 CAM48001 F-4B/F-4J (2) VF-32

CAM48003 F-4B (2) VF-84 Jolly Rogers; VF-111 Sundowners CAG

CAM72016 F-4J (2) VMFA-232 Red Devils; VMFA-312  ADM72017 Luftwaffe F-4F Phantom II –

CAM32008 F-4J VF-103 Sluggers

CAM32029 F-4B VMFA-122 Crusaders CAM32031 F-4J VF-33 Tarsiers CAM32032 F-4J VMFA-115 Silver Eagles VF/000 153828 Bi-Centennial CAM32033 F-4J VMFA-333 Shamrocks CAM32034 F-4J VX-4 Evaluators 153088 1976 Bi-Centennial CAM32037 F-4E Turkish/Iranian/Greek Air Forces (4) CAM32043 F-4S VF-301 Devil’s Disciples AA/110 155749 Ferris camouflage schemes CAM32044 F-4J VF-191 Satan’s Kittens NL/101 153817 1976 Bi-Centennial CAM32063 F-4E USAF Thunderbirds (8) CAM32070 F-4B VF-161 Chargers NF/100 151433 CAG CAM32083 F-4E No 187 Israeli Air Force Large shark mouth CAM32084 F-4EJ 306 Sqn JASDF 10th Anniversary CAM32093 Phar East F-4EJ JASDF(2) CAM32106 F-4G Wild Weasel 69-292/WW 562TFTS/AMU neutral/gunship grey camo CAM32110 F-4J USN/USMC Walkways (Tamiya) CAM32120 F-4J VMFA-451 Warlords CAM32121 F-4J VMFA-235 Death Angels CAM32131 F-4M 60th Anniversary Alcock and Brown 1979 Transatlantic flight

W W W. A I R F I X M O D E LWO R L D.CO M

27/10/2014 16:17

F-4 PHANTOM DECALS CAM32132 Phar East F-4EJ JASDF 37-8320 301 Sqn 5AW 1989 CAM32133 F-4 data sheet for USN or USMC aircraft

EXPERT’S CHOICE (www/bare-metal.com)

1/72 7214 F-4E (2) ‘Last of the ANG Phantom Gun Fighters/Ft Wayne Phabulous Phantoms’ schemes

CAMP3220 F-4B VMFA-115 Silver Eagles

CARACAL MODELS

7218 RF-4C (1) Special scheme commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Phantom’s first flight

(www.caracalmodels.com)

1/48

48013 F-4B/N Stencils and data FULL factory applied stencils and data

HD72058 F-4E/ETM/RF-4ETM (4) Turkish aircraft with nose or tail artwork

48014 F-4 landing gear doors red edging (Hasegawa)

1/48

48015 F-4 landing gear doors red edging (Academy)

HD48023 RF-4C/E (7) US ANG, Spanish and Iranian aircraft

48018 F-4B Bravo MIG Killers II (14)

HD48025 F-4D (7) US AFRes, US ANG, Iranian, South Korean aircraft

48019 Air Wing All Stars: Phantoms Part II (7) CAG scheme aircraft

7220 Commemorative Phantoms (3) USAF/USMC RF-4B/C and F-4E colourful schemes

HD48007 F-4E/E(S)/RF-4E Israeli AF (8)

HD48027 F-4E/RF-4C (7) US AFRes, Iranian, South Korean aircraft HD48028 F-4E/ETM/RF-4ETM (4) Turkish aircraft with nose or tail artwork

1/48

HOBBY DECAL

4803 F-4E 57FIS Keflavik 1982 (2) 66-300 2 versions; 66-382 at William Tell 1982

(www.hobbydecal.com)

1/72

4832 F-4C 191 FIG Selfridge ANG Base

AL72001V1 F-4J VX-4 Vandy 1 Black Bunny October 1971

4840 F-4C 191 FIG Michigan ANG (9) includes ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’

AL72003V1 F-4J VF-84 Jolly Rogers Late 1971

4846 RF-4C 106 Reconnaissance Sq, Birmingham, Alabama, Recce Rebels

AL72004V1 ROKAF F-4D Phantom II 151st FS / 11th FW 2007

4847 RF-4C (2) 75th Anniversary 106TRS 1993; VMFP-3 overall black retirement scheme

 48029 Gunfighter Phantoms Part I

(11) F-4C/Ds of the 35th and 366th TFW (Academy)

4861 RF-4C (2) includes 106TRS ’1971 Twenty Years of Phantoms 1991’

 CD48011 Turkish Air Force F-4E/2020

48030 Gunfighter Phantoms Part II (11) F-4C/Ds of the 35th and 366th TFW (Academy)

Upgraded “Terminator” Phantoms CD48035 ANG F-4C/F-4D Part 1 (4) overall ADC Grey scheme (Academy)

FCM DECALS

CD48036 ANG F-4C/F-4D Part 2 (5) overall ADC Grey scheme (Academy)

1/48

CD48038 ANG F-4C/F-4D Part 3 (9) SEA and Euro 1 schemes (Academy)

1/32 CD32010 ANG F-4C/D Part 1 (4) Oregon, North Dakota, Hawaii and Texas (Tamiya) CD32011 ANG F-4C/D Part 2 (4) Oregon (123 FIS), Minnesota, Texas and Michigan (Tamiya)

48031 12th Tactical Fighter Wing Phantoms (13) F-4C at Cam Ranh Bay airbase

(www.fcm.eti.br)

48032 Gray Phantoms (6) F-4Cs in Gull Gray scheme

48034 Persian Eagles (4) includes Iranian Air Force F-4D/E all in Desert camouflage

48033 Gull Grey Phantom intake interiors (Academy) 48034 South-East Asia camouflaged Phantom intake interiors (Academy)

FIGHTERTOWN DECALS (www.fightertowndecals.com)

1/48 FTD48038 QF-4S VX-30 Bloodhounds (4), includes 153821/107 with shark mouth

COLORADO DECALS

1/48 AL48001V1 F-4J VX-4 Vandy 1 Black Bunny October 1971 AL48003V1 F-4J VF-84 Jolly Rogers Late 1971 AL48005V1 RAF FGR 2/F-4M Stencils 1 (1/48 and 1/72) AL48006V1 ROKAF F-4E The 17th FW, 2008

AL48008V1 JASDF F-4EJ Kai 8th Sqn

HD72025 F-4E/E(S)/RF-4E Israeli AF(8) HD72053 RF-4C/E (7) USANG, Spanish and Iranian aircraft

AL48041V1 F-4 Black Panel Numbers Stencil AL48042V1 F-4 White Panel Numbers Stencil

1/32 AL32001V1 F-4J VX-4 Vandy 1 Black Bunny October 1971 AL32003V1 F-4J VF-84 Jolly Rogers Late 1971 AL32004V1 ROKAF F-4D Phantom II 151st FS / 11th FW 2007

1/48

(www.squadron.com)

AL72008V1 JASDF F-4EJ Kai 8th Sqn

HI DECAL

(www.furballaero-design.com)

EAGLE STRIKE

AL72007V1 Phantom FG.1 892 NAS, HMS FAA Ark Royal

AL48007V1 Phantom FG.1 892 NAS, HMS FAA Ark Royal

1/72

FURBALL AERO DESIGN

AL72006V1 ROKAF F-4E 17th FW, 2008

48999 F-4 Mask Set (Academy)

(www.hi-decal.eu)

FTD48068 Test Triumvirate, includes VX-9 Black Bunny and White Bunny F-4s

1/72 CA72070 Desert Storm/Daguet (5) includes RF-4C ‘Reconnaissance Rebels, Birmingham

AL72005V1 RAF FGR 2/F-4M Stencils 1 (1/48 and 1/72)

1/48

AL32006V1 ROKAF F-4E 17th FW, 2008

48180 Marine F-4S Part 1 (2) VMFA-235 overall light gull grey; VMFA-451 low visibility

AL32008V1 JASDF F-4EJ Kai 8th Sqn

48198 RF-4B/CB Eyes in the Sky Part 2 (3) RF-4B VMFP-3 1982, 1990; RF-4C 11 TRS 432 TRW

AL32042V1 F-4 White Panel Numbers Stencil

AL32041V1 F-4 Black Panel Numbers Stencil

ICARUS PRODUCTIONS

48267 F-4E ‘SPUNKY VI/ROCKN MAMA II’ Korat AFB

(www.icarusproductions.gr)

48268 F-4E JG 72 35th Anniversary `Galloping Horse’ on red, white and blue aircraft

1/72

1/72 72085 F-4E JG 72 35th Anniversary ‘Galloping Horse’ on red, white and blue aircraft

 48004 Lo-Vis Rhinos RF-4B F-4N F-4J F-4S

HD72057 F-4E/RF-4C (7) US AFRes, Iranian, South Korean aircraft

48012 USMC Rhinos (18) F-4B/J aircraft

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

88-91_Decals.indd 89

 HD72055 F-4D (7) US AFRes, US ANG, Iranian, South Korean aircraft

89

72002 Hellenic Air Force Jets Part 2. Any F-4E/RF-4E in service with the Hellenic Air Force 72003 RF-4E 7518 in special Hellenic Air Force scheme for RIAT 2005, Waddington 2006

W W W. A I R F I X M O D E LWO R L D.CO M

27/10/2014 16:17

DECALS F-4 PHANTOM 72016 Hellenic Air Force 348TRS Anniversary RF-4E

1/48 48003 Hellenic Air Force Jets Part 2. Any F-4E/RF-4E in service with the Hellenic Air Force 48004 RF-4E Complete Stencil Data - Black 48005 RF-4E Complete Stencil Data - White 48006 RF-4E Complete Stencil Data - Grey 48007 RF-4E 7518 in special Hellenic Air Force scheme for RIAT 2005, Waddington 2006 48023 Hellenic Air Force 348TRS Anniversary RF-4E

IAF-38 RF-4 Stencils Camouflaged Aircraft

1/48

IAF-59 IAF Phantoms - Part 2 Decals for any F-4E/RF-4E ‘Kurnass’ in ‘Bat’ and ‘One’ Sqns

MS48011 USAF F-4 black and black outline fuselage and wing walkways

1/72

MS48012 USN and USMC F-4 dark grey fuselage and wing walkways

IAF-35 F-4E Stencils Camouflaged Aircraft

MS48021 F-4 Phantom 5000th

IAF-36 RF-4 Stencils Camouflaged Aircraft

MS48-974 F-4J (2) VX-4 Overall black Playboy Bunny; VX-4 Overall white Playboy Bunny

KITS WORLD (www.kitsworld.co.uk)

MS48-984 F-4J/S (2) VF-121 Pacemakers; VX-30 Blood Hounds low-vis

1/72 KW72103 F-4B and US Navy F-4G (3), includes two aircraft in medium green camouflage

MS48-985 F-4J (1) 157293 VF-31 Tomcatters AC/101 U.S.S. Saratoga MS48939 F-4N VF-101 Grim Reapers NAS Key West

KW72104 F-4B and QF-4B-18 (2), includes international orange QF-4B

1/32 32001 F-4/RF-4E Stencil Data-Black (Double Sheet)

MS481030 RF-4C (3) includes 67RW Cdr Flagship Desert Storm

1/48

MS481109 F-4N/S (2) F-4N VF-154 Black Knights; F-4S VMFA-212 Commemorative scheme

32002 F-4/RF-4E Stencil Data-White (Double Sheet) 32004 F-4E Phantoms. Any F-4E/RF-4E in service with the Hellenic Air Force

MS48-1142 USN/USMC F-4S (3) VF-103 Sluggers; VF-302 Stallions; VMFA-333 Shamrocks

ILIAD DESIGN (www.iliad-design.com)

MD046 Includes Luftwaffe F-4F (2) 37+69 or 38+57 JABO 36 MD064 Includes RAF FG.1/FGR.2 (5) 43, 19, 23, 56 and 92 Sqns MD065 Includes RAF FG.1/FGR.2 (6) 23, 29, 64/228 OCU, 92, 111 Sqns, 19 Sqn Silver Jubilee MD073 Includes RAF FGR.2 (4) 23 Sqn, 29 Sqn, 56 Sqn; all three-tone grey; MD089 Includes RAF FG.1 (3) 43 Sqn 70th Anniversary, FGR.2 228 Sqn/64 OCU MD090 Includes RAF FG.1 (1) 111 Sqn 1985/87 with black spine and fin MD094 Includes RAF FGR.2 (6) 9, 6, 14, 17 and 31 Sqns MD095 Includes RAF FGR.2 (1) 228 OCU Leuchars 1988 Display scheme MD097 Includes RAF FG.1/FGR.2 (4) 43, 111, 92 Sqns MD101 Includes RAF FG.1 (1) 111 Sqn 1989 Black Mike

MS48-1143 USMC/USN F-4J/N (2) F-4J VMFA-212; F-4S VF-171 (Hasegawa)

MODEL ALLIANCE

MS48-1158 F-4C 171 FIS/191FIG Michigan ANG William Tell 1964 (2)

1/72

(www.hannants.co.uk)

MS480870 F-4B VF-32 Swordsmen CAG MS480939 F-4N VF-101 NAS Key West MS481143 F-4J/N (2) VMFA-212, VF-171  KW48095 F-4B and US Navy F-4G (3), includes two aircraft in medium green camouflage

KW48105 F-4B and QF-4B-18 (2), includes international orange QF-4B  1/48 48022 Milestone Phantoms (6) 1000th, 2000th, 3000th, 4000th, 5000th and last aircraft.

KW48118 F-4B/C/D Stencilling, caters for grey/white and camouflage schemes  72184 RAF Germany during 1970’s, includes FGR.2 (4) 2(AC) and 17 Sqns

MAW DECALS IMPACT HOBBY DECALS

(www.mawdecals.com)

(www.impacthobbydecals.com)

48-MAW006 Sierra Hotel Sierras F-4S (2) VMFA-232 The Red Devils, VMFA-333 The Shamrocks

1/48 48002 VMCJ/VMAQ-2 Playboys MCAS Cherry Point 1975-1993 (5)

72188 RAF Germany, 1970-75 part 3, includes FGR.2 (2) 2(AC) and 14 Sqns

48-MAW008 Formation Lights including F-4

48003 F-4J VMFA-451 Warlords (3) includes 153840 VM/2 with ball and chain on fin 48006 VF(AW)-531/VMFA-531 Grey Ghosts Pt 1 includes F-4B (3) and F-4N (2) 48007 Marine Corps Spirit of ’76 F-4B VMFA-351 and RF-4B VMFP-3 Bi-centennial

72187 RAF Germany 1970-75 part 2, includes FGR.2 (2) 14 and 31 Sqns

 MS481268 F-4B VF-84

MICROSCALE/SUPERSCALE

MS481269 F-4B VF-32

(www.microscale.com/www.squadron.com)

MS481270 USN/USMC F-4 walkways

1/72

MODELDECAL

MS72822 F-4J USMC (2) 153818 WT/7 VMFA-232; 153855 AJ/203 VMFA-333

(www.hannants.co.uk)

(www.isradecal.com) 1/32 IAF-40 RF-4 Stencils Camouflaged Aircraft

MS72845 F-4J/S (2) VF-121 Pacemakers; VX-30 Blood Hounds low-vis

MD037 Includes RAF FGR.2 (3) 2 Sqn Laarbruch 1971-73 or 56 Sqn Coningsby 1976

1/48

MS72869 F-4B/N USMC (2) VMFA-513 Flying Nightmares; VMFA-531 Gray Ghosts

MD043 Includes JASDF F-4EJ (1) 302 Sqn 1976

IAF-37 F-4E Stencils

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

88-91_Decals.indd 90

729004 QF-4S 3832 VX-30 Bloodhounds The Last of the Legend

1/48

MS72021 F-4 Phantom 5000th

MS72823 F-4B/J (2) VF-84 U.S.S. Independence 1965; USS America 1972 Linebacker

ISRADECAL

72189 World Air Power Update No 4, includes F-4EJ Kai, 302 Hikotai, commemorative scheme

MD015 Includes F-4B (1) VF-111 Sundowners shark mouth

90

48169 World Air Power Update No 2, includes F-4E (1) 71-743 339 Mira Greek Air Force 2008. 48184 RAF Germany during 1970’s, includes FGR.2 (4) 2(AC) and 17 Sqns 48187 RAF Germany 1970-75 part 2, includes FGR.2 (2) 14 and 31 Sqns 48188 RAF Germany, 1970-75 part 3, includes FGR.2 (2) 2(AC) and 14 Sqns

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27/10/2014 16:17

F-4 PHANTOM DECALS 48189 World Air Power Update No 4, includes F-4EJ Kai, 302 Hikotai, commemorative scheme

SKY’S DECALS

1/48

(skysdecals.webs.com)

48017 F-4E (1) Thunderbirds 1972-1973

1/72 SKYS-72008 Israeli F-4E/RF-4E. Choice of any aircraft from five squadrons

489004 QF-4S 3832 VX-30 Bloodhounds The Last of the Legend

1/48 SKYS-48007 Israeli F-4E/RF-4E. Choice of any aircraft from five squadrons (double sheet)

MONOKIO DECALS (www.monokio.co.kr)

1/32 SKYS-32009 Israeli F-4E/RF-4E. Choice of any aircraft from five squadrons

1/144 44011 F-4E USAF Pt 1

48033 F-4B/F-110A (2) VMFA-321; F-110A ‘Spectre’

WINGMAN DECALS (www.shopofphantoms.com) 1/48 WMD48003 F-4F 37+01 Phantom Pharewell (Hasegawa)

44018 F-4E USAF Pt.2

SPRUE BROTHERS MODELS

1/48

(store.spruebrothers.com)

48011 F-4E II USAF Pt.1

WOLFPAK DECALS

1/72 + 1/48 SBDNATS2010 IPMS USA 2010 Nationals Decals includes F-4C

(www.millcreekconsultants.com)

48012 F-4E II Perfect Data Stencil

 PLZJD48-013 F-4EJ Kia TAC Meet 2000/2001

48018 F-4E II USAF Pt.2 48041 F-4B (1) US Navy VF-84 Jolly Rogers 48042 F-4B US Navy (2) VF-21 Freelancer, VF-142 Ghost Riger 48043 F-4B US Navy (2) VF-161 Chargers, VF-213 Black Lions 48044 F-4B USMC (2) VMFA-115 Silver Eagle, VMFA-122 Crusader

1/72 SBM011 Yankee Station MiG Killers (A-1H F-4J F-4B F-8E A-4C) 1/48 SBM010 Yankee Station MiG Killers (A-1H F-4J F-4B F-8E A-4C)

PRINT SCALE (www.printscale.org)

1/72

SYHART DECAL (syhartdecal.fr)

72008 F-4 (Dry Decals) Technical stencils for up to three aircraft in SEA camouflage

1/72 72040 F-4F 38+49 ’50 Years F-4 & 35 Jahre F-4F’ 2008

1/48 48-002 Air and Ground - F-4D (Combat Tree-equipped) 555th TFS, 8th TFW

XTRADECAL (www.hannants.co.uk) 1/72 72072 USAFE UK based F-4s (16) Woodbridge, Bentwaters, Lakenheath aircraft

48045 F-4B USMC (2) VMFA-513 Flying Nightmares, VMFA-542 Flying Tigers

72050 F-4E 68-506 Mira 337 ‘Archangel 2005’ Hellenic AF

72106 RAF 74 (Tiger) Sqn 1918 to 1992, includes black-tailed FGR.2 and F-4J(UK)

48047 F-4B USAF Data Stencils (Academy)

72076 F-4F/RF-4E ‘45Y WTD-61’ 2002, ‘Last Klick’ 1995

1/48

48048 F-4B US Navy (1) VF-51 Screaming Eagle 1972 / 1976

1/48 48040 F-4F 38+49 ’50 Years F-4 & 35 Jahre F-4F’ 2008

48049 F-4B US Navy (2) VF-14 Tophatters, VF-102 Diamondback

48050 F-4E 68-506 Mira 337 ‘Archangel 2005’ Hellenic AF

48050 F-4B US Navy (2) VF-96 Fighting Falcons, VF-143 Pukin Dogs

48076 F-4F/RF-4E ‘45Y WTD-61’ 2002,‘Last Klick’ 1995

48051 F-4B USMC (2) VMFA-531 Gray Ghosts, VMFA-323 Death Rattlers 48052 F-4B USMC (2) VMFA-531 Gray Ghosts ‘HMS Ark Royal’ & VMFA-314 Black Nights

1/32

 72029 F-4C/D/E/RF-4C Vietnam (9)

TECHMOD (www.techmod.pl)

72031 F-4 Stencil Data for up to three aircraft in SEA camouflage

1/32 32033 F-4D (7) includes US ANG, US AFRES, South Korean and Iranian aircraft

32011 F-4E II USAF Pt.1 (water slide)

72058 US Navy F-4 Mig Killers Part 1 (3) VF 21, VF-111, VF-161

32012 F-4E II USAF Data Stencils (pushdown)

72059 US Navy F-4 Mig Killers Part 2 (4) VX-30, 74 Sqn RAF, VMFA-451

32018 F-4E II USAF Pt.2 (water slide)

1/48

32035 F-4D ROKAF

48045 F-4C/D/E/RF-4C Vietnam (6)

32059 F-4E II USAF Data Stencils

1/32

TWO BOBS (www.twobobs.net)

32004 F-4 in Vietnam Part 1(2): F-4C/RF-4C

PLATZ HOBBY

1/72

 48002 Phantom FG1 43/111 Squadrons

72086 F-4E ‘Kara Sahin’ Phantom (1) Turkish Air Force overall black with eagle design

48005 USAFE No 1, includes F-4G Phantom 69-295/69-250/69-252 shark mouth 52TFW SP

1/48

48062 USAFE F-4D/RF-4C Phantoms in England Pt 1 (7)

48160 QF-4E Heritage Drones Pt 1 (2)

32006 F-4 in Vietnam Part 2 (2): F-4D/E

48161 QF-4E Heritage Drones Part 2 (3)

(www.platz-hobby.com)

48176 F-4F (1) WTD-61 Test Centre 50th Anniversary, overall orange with black/ red/yellow fin, wing tips and nose

48063 USAFE F-4D/RF-4C Phantoms in England Pt 2 (9)

1/144

SIAM SCALE DECAL

PLZJD144-2 RF-4/RF-4EJ

1/72

PLZJD144-3 JASDF F-4EJ Pt 2

001441 F-4E Hebrew Stencils Data IDF/AF

PLZJD144-4 JASDF F-4EJ Pt 3

1/48

PLZJD144-5 JASDF F-4EJ Kai Misawa

001437 F-4E Stencils Data US Air force

Panthers

001440 F-4E Hebrew Stencils Data IDF/AF

WARBIRD DECALS

1/72

1/32

(warbirddecals-com.myshopify.com)

PLZJD-037 F-4EJ Kai 8Sqn Last Black

001438 F-4E Stencils Data US Air force

1/72

YELLOWHAMMER

Panther

001439 F-4E Hebrew Stencils Data IDF/AF

(www.hannants.co.uk)

1/48

001880 F-4 MiG Killers

72005 F-4E (1) Thunderbirds Display Team 1972/73 Numbers 1 to 6

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

88-91_Decals.indd 91

48198 McDonnell F-4E ‘Kara Sahin’ Phantom

91

48080 RAF 74 (Tiger) Sqn 1918 to 1992, includes black-tailed FGR.2 and F-4J(UK) aircraft

1/32 32003 RF-4C (1) 68-657 ‘Starize’ 10 TRW Alconbury 1986 Euro1

1/32 YHD32006 Marines F-4J

W W W. A I R F I X M O D E LWO R L D.CO M

27/10/2014 16:17

PHOTO FOCUS F-4 PHANTOM The Hellenic Air Force has operated F-4Es since April 1974, when 38 airfames were delivered. Various colours have been worn by HAF, Phantoms, but here is an example of the late-service Hill Grey II livery; FS 26270 Medium Gray and FS 26118 Medium Gunship Gray...but both weathered to a matt finish in places. (Key Collection)

PHANTOM PHOTOS The F-4 has worn a multitude of colour schemes over the years. Here we offer a glimpse of Phantoms from around the globe

As with many F-4s, those of the Republic of Korea Air Force succumbed to low-visibility paint. This ex-USAF F-4D wears the standard Hill Gray II scheme, but with full-colour national insignia; it carries practice AIM-9P Sidewinders and a centerline SUU-23A 20mm gun pod. Note the under-nose AN/ALR-69(V)2 radar homing and warning equipment. (Ian Black)

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

92-95_Photo Ref.CC.indd 92

92

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27/10/2014 16:20

F-4 PHANTOM PHOTO FOCUS These German Luftwaffe F-4Fs from JBG 35 sport a low-visibility scheme first introduced in the 1980s. The coloured rudders, horizontal stabilisers and spine patches were added in a bid to brighten the aircraft to help avoid mid-air collisions. Besides red and yellow, other colours included, green, blue and red with blue stars. (Ian Black)

RF-4EJ '901' ws painted in a special scheme for the 50th anniversary of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces...seen here at the open house at Hamamatsu Air Base in 2004. usually based at Hyakuri on the east coast of Japan, the aircraft also carries the well-known woodpecker badge of the 501 Hikotai...still flying Phantoms in 2014! (Ian Black)

The United States Marine Corps' VMFA-451 'Warlords' operated this F-4J at the time of the US Bicentennial in 1976. Its special celebratory markings sit on the standard FS 16440 Light Gull Grey and FS 17875 Insignia White scheme of the period. This unit transitioned to the F-4S in June 1978. (Ian Black) SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

92-95_Photo Ref.CC.indd 93

93

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29/10/2014 10:08

PHOTO FOCUS F-4 PHANTOM Reflecting the colourful days before the introduction of low-visibility tones, this Michigan Air National Guard F-4C is resplendent in gloss Air Defence Command Gray, and the black and yellow markings of the 171st FIS/191st FIG, then based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Note the highly polished metallic tips on the fuel tanks and baggage pods. (Ian Black)

The dominant RAF scheme during the late 1970s and 1980s was the tactical garb of Dark Green and Dark Sea Grey over Light Aircraft Grey, as exemplified by this 92 Squadron Phantom FGR.2, from RAF Wildenrath, Germany. It carries blue concrete 'ballast' shapes in the forward missile bays, to help maintain the aircraft's centre of gravity. (Ian Black)

Spain increased its reconnaissance capability when it bought 12 ex-USAF RF-4Cs, from 1978 to 1989; four came from the USAF's 363rd TRW, while the remainder has been flown by the 123rd TRW, Kentucky Air National Guard. This aircraft, in low-visibility grey scheme, is fitted with a bolt-on refuelling probe to tally with Spain's C-130 Hercules tankers. (Ian Black) SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

92-95_Photo Ref.CC.indd 94

94

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27/10/2014 16:22

F-4 PHANTOM PHOTO FOCUS A trio of AGM-65 Maverick missiles, and a Mk.83 1,000lb (453kg) bomb are visible on this Israeli F-4E, which sports a bolt-on refuelling probe above the air intake. Seen in 1998, the aircraft hails from 69 Squadron 'Ha'patishim' (The Hammers), and is believed to be a former USAF 4th TFW machine...which would date its delivery to Israel circa 1973. (Key Collection)

Seen in the 1980s, with an RAF 617 Squadron Tornado GR.1 for company, this Turkish Air Force F-4E has the standard SEA 1 scheme of Forest Green, Light Green and Tan over Gray, as used by US F-4s in Vietnam and after. Turkey's F-4s now all wear low-visibility grey tones, in several patterns, with the RF-4Es differing considerably from the F-4Es. (Ian Black)

This MiG-killer is famous indeed...and is also the subject of our build article which begins on p.70. Aircraft 64-0829 is the F-4C flown by Col Robin Olds while with the 8th TFW; it was in this machine that Olds claimed two MiG-17s on May 20, 1967. Here, the 'Charlie' model wears the markings of the 182nd TFS/149th TFG, Texas Air National Guard, at San Antonio. (Key Collection) SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

92-95_Photo Ref.CC.indd 95

95

W W W. A I R F I X M O D E LWO R L D.CO M

27/10/2014 16:23

PAINT GUIDE F-4 PHANTOM

PHANTOM PAINT GUIDE

T

he Phantom has worn many schemes during its long career. The following table is a guide to assist in selecting paints for the most common liveries, with British Standard (BS), Federal Standard (FS), RAL numbers and official names

REVELL VALLEJO GUNZE MODEL MR HOBBY AQUEOUS AIR

SCHEME

PAINT NAME

HUMBROL TAMIYA

RAF AD BS 4800.18B.21 BS 381C:637 BS 381C:627

Barley/Camouflage Grey Medium Sea Grey Light Aircraft Grey

167 165 166

RAF F-4J (UK) AD FS 36314 FS 36270 FS 36440

Flint Gray Medium Gray Light Gull Gray

126 129

RAF Ground Attack BS 381C:638 BS 381C:641 BS 381C:627

Dark Sea Grey Dark Green Light Aircraft Grey

164 163 166

XF-24 XF-81

Royal Navy BS 381C:640 BS 381C:302

Extra Dark Sea Grey White

123

USN/USMC FS 16440 FS 17875

Light Gull Gray Insignia White

USN/USMC Low-Vis FS 36440 USN F-4G* FS 34102 FS 17875 USN/USMC TPS FS 35237 FS 36320 FS 36375

Blue Gray 145 Dark Compass Ghost Gray 128 Light Compass Ghost Gray 127

‘Heater-Ferris’ FS 36307 FS 36375 FS 35237 FS 35164

Gray Light Compass Ghost Gray 127 Blue Gray 145 Intermediate Blue 157

USN PMTC FS 12197

International Orange

USN PMTC FS 16440 FS 12197

Light Gull Gray International Orange

129

XF-20

71051

H315

South East Asia I FS 34079 FS 34102 FS 30219 FS 36622

Forest Green Light Green Tan Gray

116 117 119 28

XF-27

71020 71011 71026 71121

H309 H303 H310 H311

South East Asia II FS 34079 FS 34102 FS 30129

Forest Green Light Green Tan

116 117 119

XF-27 XF-52

71020 71011 71026

Hill Gray I FS 36118 FS 36270 FS 36375

Medium Gunship Gray 125 Medium Gray 126 Light Compass Ghost Gray 127

XF-24 AS-28 AS-26

Hill Gray II/Cloud* FS 36118 FS 36270

Medium Gunship Gray Medium Gray

125 126

European I FS 34079 FS 34102 FS 36081

Forest Green Light Green Dark Gunship Gray

116 117 184

XF-19 AS-32

MODEL MASTER

XTRACOLOR LIFECOLOR REMARKS

2037

X17

1730

X15

UA079 UA094 UA026

2037 1725 1729

X143 X133 X137

UA079 UA094 UA025

1723

X4

1730

X15

UA022 UA001 UA026

71050 71049

H344 H335 H332

32374

71049 71051

H344 H306 H325

32374

71055 71015 71049

H331 H330 H332

32179 32167

XF-24 X-2

71110 71001

H333 H316

32171 32104

1745

X5 X141

LC51

129 130

XF-20 X-2

71051 71001

H315 H315

32104

1729 1745

X137 X141

UA025 LC51

Light Gull Gray

129

XF-20

71051

H315

1730

X137

UA025

Light Green Insignia White

117 130

X-2

71011 71001

H303 H316

32361 32104

1713 1745

X116 X141

UA002 LC51

71114 71120 71046

H337 H307 H308

32157

AS-25 AS-26

1721 1741 1728

X126 X135 X136

UA145 UA027 UA026

71046 71114 70903

H324 H308 H337 C366#

32145 32143 32157

1726 1728 1721 1720

X134 X136 X126

UA113 UA026 UA145 UA045

XF-20

AS-26 AS-19

32143

*F-4B with datalink

#Lacquer

X104 1729

X137 X104

UA025

32167 32361 32187

1710 1713 1742 1733

X110 X116 X102 X140

UA001 UA002 UA015 UA021

H309 H303 H310

32167 32361 32187

1710 1713 1742

X110 X116 X102

UA001 UA002 UA015

71053 71049 71046

H305 H306 H308

32174 32374 32143

1723 1725 1728

X130 X133 X136

UA022 UA028 UA026

XF-24 AS-28

71110 71049

H305 H306

32174 32374

1723 1725

X130 X133

UA022 UA028

XF-27

71020 71011 71018

H309 H303 H301

32167 32361 32109

1710 1713 1988

X110 X116 X129

UA001 UA002 UA030

XF-52 XF-19

XF-63

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

96-97_Paint Ref.CC.indd 96

provided – note that the latter may differ from the names used on manufacturers’ tinlets/bottles! For colours denoted ‘approximate match’ or ‘add white’, modellers are advised to use the kit instructions and/or seek further reference material.

96

*Texas ANG/ South Korea

W W W. A I R F I X M O D E LWO R L D.CO M

27/10/2014 16:45

F-4 PHANTOM PAINT GUIDE SCHEME

PAINT NAME

Compass* FS 36375 FS 36320

Light Compass Ghost Gray 127 Dark Compass Ghost Gray 128

Hellenic Ghost FS 36251 FS 36307 FS 36320 FS 35237

Gray Gray Dark Compass Ghost Gray Blue Gray

128 145

AS-25

US ADC Gray FS 16473

Aircraft Gray

147

XF-19

IAF/DF Standard FS 30219 FS 34227 FS 33531 FS 35622

Tan Medium Gray Green Middlestone Light Blue

118 120 121 122

XF-52 XF-64 XF-57* XF-23*

Intermediate Blue Aluminium/Silver

144 191

XF-16

Basalt Gray Yellow Olive Stone Gray Silver Gray White Aluminium

79 163 129/64

Luftwaffe Norm 81A/B* RAL 7009 RAL 7012 RAL 7030 RAL 7037 RAL 7039

Green Gray Basalt Gray Stone Gray Dust Gray Quartz Gray

91 79 129/64

Luftwaffe Norm 83A/B* RAL 6003 FS 34079 RAL 7021

Olive Green Forest Green Black Gray

117 116

Luftwaffe Norm 90J FS 36320 FS 35237 FS 36375

Dark Compass Ghost Gray 128 Blue Gray 145 Light Compass Ghost Gray 127

Hellenic ‘Aegean Blue’ FS 35164 FS 17178 Luftwaffe Norm 72* RAL 7012 RAL 6014 RAL 7030 RAL 7001 RAL 9006

Asia Minor* FS 34102 FS 30400 FS 30140 FS 36622

HUMBROL TAMIYA

AS-26 AS-25

REVELL VALLEJO GUNZE MODEL MR HOBBY AQUEOUS AIR

MODEL MASTER

XTRACOLOR LIFECOLOR REMARKS

71046 71047

H308 H307

32143

1728 1741

X136 X135

UA026 UA027

32145

71120 71114

H324 H307 H337

1741 1721

X132 X134 X135 X126

UA034 UA113 UA027 UA145

1731

X138

1742 1716 1706

X102 X148 X105 X149

UA015 UA060

32157

H57 71026 71126

32187

71121

H310 H312 H313 H314

71004 71064

H56 H8

32157 32199

1720 1790

X125 X142

UA045 LC74

71123 71043

H48 H304 H325 H334 H8

32177 32142 32175 32374 32199

1988 2089 2120 1725 1781

X254 X251 X257 X255 X252

UA022 UA001 UA113 LC74 LC24

H309 H331 H325

32167 32177 32175

2084 2059 2120

X256 X254 X257 X258 X259

UA054 UA022 UA113 UA033 UA035

32168 32165 32109

2027 1710 2094

X261 X203?

UA206 UA091 UA207

32188

*Israel, Japan, S. Korea, Louisiana ANG (trial scheme)

* Add white

UA139

*Three variations

191

XF-24 XF-55 X-11 X-11

71051 71062

*Two patterns XF-74

71020 71123

XF-55 71047

H69

*Two patterns XF-65 XF-27 XF-69

71092 71020 71053

H340

AS-25

71120 71114 71046

H307 H337 H308

32374 32157 32143

1741 1721 1728

X135 X126 X136

UA027 UA145 UA026

71020

32361

1710

X110 X116

32381

1736 X140

UA002 UA084 UA085 UA021

X140

UA037 UA021

32104

1729 1745

X137 X141

UA025 LC51

32361 32361

1712 1710

32104

1745

X115 X110 X16 X141

UA002 UA020 LC51

2031

X124

AS-26

*Iranian Light Green Yellow Sand Brown Special Light Gray

117 9 10 28

X-9 XF-19

71035 71121

H303 H27 H37 H311

Light Blue Gray

47 28

XF-19

71089 71121

H311

JASDF Gray/White FS 16440* FS 17875

Light Gull Gray Insignia White

129 130

XF-20 X-2

71051 71001

H315 H316

JASDF Tactical FS 34097 FS 34102 FS 30372 FS 17875

Field Green Light Green Sand Insignia White

105 117 168 130

XF-58

71093 71020 71122 71001

H340 H303 H336 H316

JASDF Oceanic FS 35045 FS 35109

Dark Blue Dark Blue

104 144*

GLOSSARY

SEA – South East Asia

USAF – United States Air Force

ADC – Air Defense Command

JASDF – Japanese Air Self Defense Forces

AD – Air Defence

IRIAF – Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

PMTC – Pacific Missile Test Center

USN – United States Navy

USMC – United States Marine Corps

IRIAF Recce Low-Vis FS 35450 FS 36622

1508

*Also matt

XF-57 X-2

H54/C375# H56/C374#

SCALE MODELLING: F-4 PHANTOM

96-97_Paint Ref.CC.indd 97

32150

97

*Approx match #Lacquer

W W W. A I R F I X M O D E LWO R L D.CO M

27/10/2014 16:47

PHOTO FOCUS F-4F PHANTOM

...AND

PHINALLY!  Resplendent in blue and gold, this ‘Phantom Pharewell’ F-4F received its special paint in 2013 to mark the type’s 40 years’ service with the German Luftwaffe. Sadly, it heralded the end of Phantoms in the Luftwaffe, but the airframe was retired as a gate guard at Wittmund Air Base. Modellers wishing to replicate this impressive scheme should look no further than Revell’s recent re-release of its 1/72 F-4F (04875), which offers the relevant markings. (AirTeamImages)

98_Phinally.CC.indd 98

27/10/2014 16:29

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North America’s Best-Selling Military Aviation Magazine With in-depth editorial coverage alongside the finest imagery from the world’s foremost aviation photographers, COMBAT AIRCRAFT is the world’s favourite military aviation magazine. With thought-provoking opinion pieces, detailed information and rare archive imagery, Combat Aircraft is your one-stop-source of military aviation news and features from across the globe.

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AL S O AVA I L A BL E DI GI TA L LY: iTunes

PC, Mac & Windows 8

Available on PC, Mac, Blackberr y and Windows 8 from Requirements for app: registered iTunes account on Apple iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4S, 5, iPod Touch or iPad 1, 2 or 3. Internet connection required for initial download. Published by Key Publishing Ltd. The entire contents of these titles are © copyright 2014. All rights reserved. App prices subject to change. 666/14

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