Dazza

I can't conceive of the extra extendable function being used for any land based launches/take-offs because of the somewhat limited forward vision for the pilot, at least on a carrier the catapult shuttle takes care of directional control! I know it was used for land based launch/take-off during testing but, I'm pretty sure it was never used by any of the regular squadrons... -Daz

Check your references/dates, the inner rail was replaced by the BOL launch rail at some point, I can't remember the date though, maybe someone else can chip in? -Dazza

Not quite... HHA have an ex-Luftwaffe F-4F g.i./spares airframe at Scampton (37+89) and an 'airworthy' F-4F (38+48) registered on the British Military register as ZK848, although it has never flown since retirement I believe, and is still in storage in Germany... -Dazza

JASDF until March 2021 (apparently), still operating F-4EJ / F-4EJ Kai / RF-4EJ and RF-4E, although the RF-4EJs and RF-4Es retire in March this year. ROKAF still operating the F-4E only until mid 2020s I understand Hellenic AF still operating the F-4E AUP (PI 2000), no official retirement date but thought be mid to late 2020s Turkish AF still operating the F-4E 2020, again, no official retirement but I've read various comments suggesting anywhere from mid 2020s to into the 2030s Iranian AF still operating the F-4D (training role only), F-4E and RF-4E, numbers unknown, retirement date is anyone's guess! -Dazza

Thanks, Giorgio, that's the info I was after as I intend (at some stage) to build an 'early' USN F-14A. My knowledge of all the myriad external differences between F-14As over the years is somewhat lacking to say the least but, I do know the HB kit represents an early F-14A... -Daz

Afternoon, all, just a quick one... Is the HobbyBoss 1/48 'Persian Cat' the same basic kit as the original F-14A release? If so, what's different about the Persian Cat release other than the decals? -Daz

Both FAA and RAF F-4s used the same basic MB seats, with the obvious equipment differences specific to each service, both initially used the Mk.5A/1 and 5A/2, which were not zero/zero capable. These were then replaced by the Mk.7A which was zero/zero capable. -Daz

Thanks for the help. -Daz

As per the thread title, who does the best aftermarket exhaust nozzles these days for subjects such as the F-4, F-14, F-16 etc, in the larger scales (1/48 and 1/32)? What are your personal recommendations? I'm asking as a precursor to an eventual restart of aircraft modelling after many years away from the hobby, something I've been planning to do for a few years now but have yet to get round to! So, over to you, enlighten me, please! 🙂 -Daz

Full flaps on the trailing edge, but not the ailerons. Leading edge flaps down, outer wing and outer section of the main wing, but not the inboard sections, they were locked up. No airbrakes. Hope that helps... -Daz

To the best of my knowledge, no, FAA FG.1s didn't fly with AIM-7 ballast rounds. I've just been through my entire FAA image archive and I don't have a single image of an FAA FG.1 fitted with them... -Daz

A very very small amount of anhedral, iirc... -Daz

The G didn't have the whole of the ARN-101 kit installed, hence the lack of the 'dog house' antenna seen on the spine of the E and RF-4C and not all G's received the upgrade either, I have a list of all the G's that did receive the upgrade. -Daz

Not sure if this helps but, 69-0250 was in HG2 from or about June 1989, 69-7295 was in HG2 from or about December 1988, I don't have a date for 69-0244 appearing in HG2 but, it was a late attrition replacement and wasn't converted to a G until 1988, I strongly suspect by that time it would have emerged from Ogden ALC in HG2, but don't quote me on it! 😉 -Daz

XV468 was not damaged beyond repair, it returned to the UK and ended it's days with 56 Sqn at Wattisham. 'Official' air defence colours (actually called 'Barley Grey') are- B.S. 381C-626 'Barley Grey', upper fuselage, upper stabilator outer surfaces, tail fin, outer wing panel upper surfaces B.S. 381C-637 'Medium Sea Grey', upper surfaces of the inner wings B.S. 381C-627 'Light Aircraft Grey' all lower surfaces The radome colour is best mixed until you're happy with the shade you have Stencils are white on Barley Grey F-4s, black on the Grey/Green camo'd ones -Daz

Mk.10H in the SHAR FRS.1 -Daz

They cover and protect the static ports from dirt and water ingress, the ports are found on all blunt nose F-4s, but not the recce or gun nosed versions... -Daz

Care to explain, please? -Daz

No, the FG.1 nose leg is much beefier looking because of the extra extendible section, the FGR.2 nose leg would look odd with the extra torque link (not two bar). As already mentioned, all FG.1s that were used by the RAF retained the original nose leg but had the extra extendable section disabled. -Daz

👍 I only have one photo of a TISEO equipped HAF F-4E too (71751), possibly the only one they had? -Daz

👍 🙂 -Daz

If it had TISEO, it also had slats. TISEO and L/E slats were both introduced at Block 48 (71-0237 onwards) on the production line, earlier FY F-4Es were retrofitted with L/E slats but not TISEO... -Daz

Unless someone can post a pic of either a HAF or THK F-4E with the hard wing, I'm still saying no, none exist, all had/have the slatted wing... -Daz

All HAF and THK F-4Es have/had L/E slats from delivery... -Daz

Yes, the wider intakes and wider and deeper rear fuselage needed for the Spey installation caused a lot of drag which impacted on what should have been, on paper at least, the best performing versions of the F-4. Ultimately, top speed was less than J79 engined variants as was general performance at higher altitudes, the J79 was also very resistant to throttle slams/abuse and had faster burner light up. Where the Spey came into it's own was at low to medium altitudes, low level acceleration and take-off performance was better than the J79 and range was marginally better and the Spey produced less smoke in the military power range. The Spey also suffered from poor reliability and serviceability for several years after introduction to service, turbine disc failures being the main problem, at one stage the shortage of serviceable engines effectively shut down OCU flying with the serviceable engine supply from Rolls Royce being prioritzed for the frontline squadrons. The Plessey Solent GTS was also fond of spewing it's guts out on occasion too! That being said, the F-4 in all it's guises, is still my personal number one and, arguably, the finest jet Interceptor/Fighter/Bomber/Recce/Weasel/ ever conceived and built! -Daz