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Zoukei Mura next Phantom will be 1/48 McDD F-4C/ D Phantom II Source: http://hobby.dengeki.com/event/381679/ V.P.

Here a 1/48 Phantom f-4e in 32nd TFS markings based at Soesterberg (Camp Nieuw Amsterdam), Netherlands . Resin cockpit and exhaust and mr color paints. It's said the squadron was the only USAF unit authorized to use the Royal crest of another country. Some info on the 32nd, now inactive, if anyone is interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Air_Operations_Squadron http://wolfhoundsusaf.com/ Have a great day!

The model I've always wanted to do. It's nice, it's old, but I always like the Phantom Italeri. I am pleased with the end result. Here's the picture.

In watching giemme's WIP of a 1/72 F-4C, I've been adding some info on the F-4, at least as I knew it in the 1980s. Sometimes I get carried away and can kill a thread with too much extraneous information, so this topic is to relate some info that giemme's thread has brought to the front of my little brain without dragging his thread way off course. The 6510th Test Wing at Edwards AFB maintained a relatively large fleet of F-4 variants for flight test support: RF-4Es for the USAF Test Pilot School curriculum, an F-4D used a a "Pacer" aircraft for pitot static calibration flights of other test aircraft, and a flight of F-4Es for the Cruise Missile safety chase mission. All of the F-4s were fair game for use as safety or photo chase missions against F-15s, F-16s, B-1s, etc. They were also used as radar targets for F-15s and F-16s, sometimes carrying electronic threat simulator pads such as ALQ-188 variants. Cruise missile chase was a rather unique mission... The Air Force Flight Test Center inherited a flight of early model F-4Es when the Thunderbirds gave up their Phantoms in favor of T-38s because of the 1970s oil "crisis". These aircraft had several modifications that would have to be removed to turn them over to operational units. It was just easier to turn them over to Air Force Systems Command, which was used to operating modified and odd-ball aircraft. The long-range missions would consist of up to six F-4s and a KC-135 tanker. The first chase pair would meet the launch B-52 near the launch point (ALCM) or orbit the submarine launch point (SLCM) in the Pacific. The tanker and other chase aircraft would loiter at points along the intended missile path to the impact or recovery location. The F-4s would follow the missile as it went through its paces, when fuel would become low, they would radio for the next pair to rendezvous and pick up the chase, once the new pair were chasing the missile, the relieved pair would head for the tanker, this tag-team act would continue until the missile crashed, was "terminated", or impacted on the range target. Take-off The upper wing surfaces were painted white to facilitate finding the team chasing the missile waiting to be relieved, since most of the chase was as low-level and the air refueling and loitering was done at around 25,000 ft. Note that the white extended below the wing leading edge. Note '289 sports a small grey deer silhouette on the splitter plate. Denotes a "kill" after hitting a deer on landing at Eglin AFB while on a cross country mission. For a while, the aircraft had the legend "DEER SLAYER" on the cannon fairing in two-inch high black letters. Over the mines near Boron CA Returning from Dugway Final approach in the lead roll-out Sven

Anyone know which unit this Phantom belonged to ? I know it was an early Gull grey over white phantom that was repainted in theater. That explains the bad paint erosion on the sides. The codes were either painted over or zapped out of the photo by censors ? Help is graciously accepted. Dennis

I'm currently involved in a duel with a mate of mine involving some VF-84 planes. I'm building the Eduard 1/48 F-4B/N from the 'Millenium Phantom' kit. I stumbled upon an omission in the instruction which I after a long and hard search found the solution to. ' So as to help you avoid the same situation here's a teeny weeny bit of help: The same part is not shown in the instructions for the 'Good Morning, DaNang' boxing either. Cheers Hans J

Hi friends , my last completed model. It is a Monogram's model in the Accurate Miniatures box. I am pleased that the model is made, so here's the picture. Enjoy.

This is the Monogram F-4D that, although an older kit (plastic helpfully stamped “1985”) is accurate and with some really nice detail moulded in, especially in the cockpit. The Monogram kit features fine raised detail, and generally goes together well with the exception of the intakes that take a bit of work but nothing ridiculous. Having read that the Monogram decals were a disaster when new (and the intervening 30+ years won’t have helped) I finished my Phantom with HiDecal decals for a Texas ANG machine in the Euro1 scheme, adding some Eduard Brassin AIM-7Es and AIM-9Js, and a SUU-23 from a Hasegawa weapon set. I painted the gun pod in the ADC gray more often associated with the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group F-4Cs to contrast with the Euro1 Scheme, which was only worn by their F-4Ds for a relatively short period. The HiDecal markings worked well, with good colour coverage in the tail flashes. The only problem was that one of the tail codes disintegrated on application so substitutes were found from an old set of Modeldecal post-war RAF 12” codes; the typeface isn’t 100% accurate but a pretty good match. The rest of the airframe markings came from an old Hasegawa sheet.

After the FG.1 (link) , Airfix is to release in October 2018 (?) a 1/72nd McDD Phantom FGR.2 kit - ref. A06017 Schemes: 1) XV466 D, No1435 FLT, RAF Mount Pleasant November 1991 2) FGR.2 XV469 H 2 Squadron June 1976 3) FGR.2 Phantom XV408 92 Squadron RAF Germany Sources: https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2018/mcdonnell-douglas-fgr2-phantom-1-72.html https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/mcdonnell-douglas-fgr2-phantom-1-72.html V.P.

Hi everyone, and happy upcoming new year! First time modeller, new member. Wanted to share this out of the box build using the simplest tool setup I could find on a side-table in my uni room. Kit went together just using the Revell contacta glue, Revell aqua color paints thinned with tap-water, and a £5 brush pack. Decals were applied using Revell's decal fix to form around the detail. For a first attempt, actually quite happy with the result, definitely inspires to keep going! Next step might be to use some Milliput superfine putty for the gaps, and use Revell's Aqua color mix for the thinning as opposed to tap-water. Looking to stick to brushpainting with acrylics, personally think it might be more enjoyable and much easier to setup/maintain, you can listen to music while you're at it without a rattling compressor nearby, not to mention I've seen some astounding results with them like the works of @PlaStix here on the forums. Looking forward to all the feedback!! Cheers, Ed.

F-15C 80-0009, 54th Tac Fighter Squadron from Elmendorf AFB F-15C 82-0025, 54th Tac Fighter Squadron from Elmendorf AFB F-4G 561st Fighter Squadron F-4G 69-7220, 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard from Boise ANGB RF-4C 65-0823, 190th Fighter Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard from Boise ANGB RF-4C, 69-0357, 67th Recce Wing from Bergstrom AFB RF-4C, 67-0452, 3246th Test Wing from Eglin AFB RF-4C, 65-0854, 106th Tac Recce Squadron, Alabama Air National Guard, Birmingham ANGB F-4F, 72-1253 of JG72, supplementing WTD61 at Point Mugu for AIM-120 testing as part of the Improved Combat Efficiency upgrade program. F-4G 69-7208, 90th Fighter Squadron from Clark AB. These jets were actually being transferred to George AFB as Clark was, or was being, closed down and the 3rd Wing assets being re-distributed around the USAF. RF-4C 66-0423, 196th Tac Recce Squadron, California Air National Guard from March AFB RF-4C 63-7742, 196th Tac Recce Squadron, California Air National Guard from March AFB Thanks for looking, Sven

F-4D pics taken by Darwin at the SAC Museum

Hi again all, I've slipped back to Phantoms for another brief journey in to my memory bank and slide files. This time I get away from the Nation Guard and sample the U.S. Navy reserve and U.S.M.C. Reserve. These were taken, again early morning, around the Dallas Naval Air Station and cover the three based F-4 units. Like my visits to the ANG site the units were preparing for the morning's operations. The Marines had just started to get active as my mate and I got to their ramp. As always I hope you like them.

At Shizuoka Hobby Show 2018 Platz is to release a new tool 1/72nd McDD F-4EJ Phantom II kit - ref. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/modelartinc/posts/1960234187384789 https://www.facebook.com/modelartinc/photos/pcb.1960234187384789/1960233957384812/?type=3&theater V.P.

Hi once again all, I just couldn't resist posting a few more Phantoms. These are from the 110st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard. They were taken at Lambert Field, alongside St. Louis' main airport. In addition to the F-4s you can see that they operated T-33s as well as maintaining the Govenor's Convair. As always, I hope you like them Martin

Hi again all you Phantom lovers! I've found some sunshine in the form of images of F-4Ds taken during a visit to the 170th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard at Capital Airport, Springfield, Illinois in May 1982. Note the fresh-painted machine with wrap-around camouflage in the final image. They need little introduction so here goes: As always, I hope you like them Martin

Hi all, I believe I'm right in saying that there are a few Phantom lovers on this site? ;). Well, I've left the Thud behind for a short while and scanned a few shots taken during one of my trips around the Midwest in May 1982. The subject here is the F-4Cs of the 113rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Indiana Air National Guard. They were based at Hulman Field, Terre Haute. Sadly the aquadron, now an "Intelligence" unit, is without aircraft. From the images below you can make out that the weather wasn't kind and therefore with Kodachrome 25 in the OM1d I struggled in the low light. Occasionally, though, the sun popped out and blessed us with a little brightness. Bright or dark, though, the subject was great and my mate and I were given free access to the active ramp. I hope you F-4 lovers like these: Apologies if I have posted any of these before. I'm losing track of what I have and what I haven't put in front this great audience. Martin

Hi, I’m planning to use PE seatbelts for my new 1/48 Academy F-4C project. I found this on Hannants https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ED49060 “Fabric” will be better than PE. But i’m not sure about it. Is it easy to work? Any experience? Thanks Enis

A render of one my all time favorite jet, my not quite completed model of the F-4B, seen in the colours of VF-111 Sundowners. One of the most colourful paintchemes for the american F-4's. This image was made during christmas holiday. Looking at it now, it occurs to me now that perhaps the top surface colour could be a little darker grey and the bombs look a little funny with a somewhat boxy nose... it seems the me and Mr.Spook needs to get back to the drawing table again. It shouldn't be too hard to fix.

Huaco scale models is working on a - very - big Rhino, a 1/18th McDD F-4E Phantom II kit. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/HUACO-scale-models-346004535810082/?fref=gs&hc_location=group https://www.facebook.com/pg/HUACO-scale-models-346004535810082/photos/?ref=page_internal V.P.

I recently got a Fujimi 1:72nd Phantom FG.1 kit in an attempt to re-ignite my modelling passion from some years ago. Since it arrived, an impending house move has come into play, so it's likely going to stay into the box until the new year now :-( However, doesn't mean I can't make plans. I was wondering if I should invest in any of the after market detailing kits that appear to be available for the likes of cockpits, exteriors, ejection seats etc. I really want this kit to be as good as I can make it, and seeing the quality of the builds on here had inspired me. However, I have to be realistic - I have not done any modelling for 20 odd years so I ain't going to be winning any prizes. Are any of the kits, such as the QMT exterior detailing kit, worth getting hold of? What exactly does that kit get me? It's hard to tell just by looking at it.. Thanks, Al.

I wasn't sure whether to put this topic here or in the photography forum where I usually post. This one has a lot more words than images, so thought it should go here. Between 1977 and 1987, flight test of the AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) was accomplished for full-scale development of the missile and subsequent upgrades. Many test launches took place in the Western Test Range off the California coast, the missile threading its way between population centers to impact on one of the land test ranges in the western United States. A typical mission would have the missile follow a pre-programmed mission profile, going “feet wet” near Vandenberg AFB, through the Sierra Nevada mountains into the Edwards /China Lake operating airspace, then north to targets in the Utah Test and Training Range near Hill AFB. Safety chase aircraft were required to accompany the ALCM along its flight path to ensure the missile didn’t deviate from its programmed profile or to ‘mark the spot’ if the missile crashed at some point during the mission. The safety chase mission was assigned to a dedicated group of aircraft under the 6510 Test Wing under the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB. The aircraft were flown by the 6512 Test Squadron (Test Ops). Between four to six aircraft were required, depending on the mission profile, plus a spare, and a tanker. The aircraft selected were F-4Es and comprised what was often referred to as the ALCM Chase Flight. Normally, finding such a group of similarly configured aircraft on the Edwards ramp would be difficult, but the 6510TW had inherited the F-4s previously operated by the USAF Aerial Demonstration Squadron, AKA the Thunderbirds. These F-4Es were relinquished by the team in the wake of the 1973 ‘oil crisis’ in favor of the T-38A. The aircrafts had no radar fitted, the original short cannon muzzle fairing was retained with the aperture faired over, the rear most fuselage fuel tank (tank 7) was isolated to carry smoke oil, and several other modifications that made them less than desirable for operational Phantom units. The only modification needed for the ALCM mission was a missile destruct radio control unit in the rear cockpit to be activated if the missile deviated from the planned flight path towards, say, a population center or a condor preserve. These aircraft were USAF serial numbers: 66-0286 66-0289 Note: in 1984/85, ‘289 carried a deer kill on the left splitter plate in light grey. 66-0291 66-0294 66-0315 66-0319 66-0329 – Note this jet had a production “long” cannon muzzle fairing during this time. 66-0377 An ALCM chase mission basically consisted of two aircraft at the launch point. They would watch the ALCM separate and launch from a B-52, then proceed to chase the ALCM to monitor the flight path and watch for any anomalies. In the meantime, up ahead, at altitude, would be the KC-135 tanker with additional chase jets in tow. These F-4s in the tanker formation would take fuel as necessary to stay ’topped up’ ready to replace the chase birds when low on fuel (“Joker”). This is what the relief birds would look for: Hence the white upper wings – easier to spot than a full camo jet or the missile itself against the terrain. The relieved jets would climb and join the tanker formation for aerial refueling. The procedure would continue until the ALCM reached the target area or its flight was terminated. Markings Already mentioned the white upper wings. The white on the wings wrapped around the leading edge and wing tips. Before 1979, these jets wore standard SEA camo with the light grey undersides. The blue tail band with the white borders and X’s was indicative of the 6510 TW. The national markings were in full color. No tail codes. Between 1979 and 1981, the aircraft received the wrap-around camo treatment and all but ‘377 carried segmented/stenciled national insignia. ‘377 retained the full color star and bar. Some aircraft had black canopy rails yet few carried crew or maintainer’s names. The “ED” tail codes were applied in late 1982. In 1984, someone had the idea to name the jets after Snow White and Seven Dwarfs. Unfortunately, they started with “DOPEY” on ‘291. The name was in black two-inch block letters on either side of the nose cannon fairing. Before any other names could be applied, the wing CO went out to fly ‘291. When he saw the name that was the end of that. I mentioned the deer kill on ‘289. On a deployment to Eglin AFB the jet hit a deer on the runway when landing. The deer was taken down the left side going between the main gear and the external tank…. lost the gear door and killed the fuel tank. The deer didn’t survive either. When we went to pick up the jet (on the way back from the Piper Enforcer visit) the Eglin maintainers had painted the silver deer “kill” on the left intake splitter and the name “DEER SLAYER” in 2-in black block letters on the cannon fairing. When the dedicated ALCM chase mission went away, so did the camouflage. I left Edwards for a posting in London in 1985, by the time I returned to Edwards in 1988, all of the F-4s had gone “albino” – overall white with red conspicuity markings on the wingtips and tail surfaces. They had also been formally redesignated as NF-4Es. And ‘329 got its short muzzle fairing back… Your humble scribe with the DEER SLAYER - “Hero” portrait for the squadron photo album – many years (and pounds) ago. Thanks for looking, Sven

The rest of the story here: Thanks for looking. Sven

Afternoon All, First post on here. When I was a teenager I was a prolific modeller and thought myself not too bad at the whole thing. That, however, was 20+ years ago (which is being generous). I built myself a Red Arrows Gnat a few years back to try and get back into the swing of things, which was OK but didn't really inspire me to anything greater. For some reason I'm now thinking I want to build a Phantom. Grew up at RAF Leuchars so it naturally needs to be an RAF machine, probably a 43 or 111 sqn FG.1. In that era it should probably be a grey scheme, although I quite like the earlier camo. Having done some reading on here, I see that the Fujimi kits are the ones to go for. I've found one on Hobby Link Japan for £15 plus postage. It's the "Silver Jubilee" FAA machine and also has 43 and 111 markings. Does anyone know what scheme the RAF ones are? From the decals I'm guessing its camo? I guess there's always after market decal sheets. Is this Hobby Link site a decent one? They look OK, but then it's easy to get a website to look OK :-) Towards the end of my period as a modeller I painted everything in gloss and then varnished to get the decals to look better. Can't remember the name of the paint now - think the tins had yellow labels. I assume a similar thing still exists today? I only ever had a cheap spray gun which was frankly rubbish so I never ventured into that game. Any recommendations for reasonably priced spray kit? May not be worth it, though, if I only ever build this one thing and then realise I'm not that fussed any more... Thanks for humouring me! Al.

F-4 Phantom Outer Pylons (US Navy) 1:48 Hypersonic Models F-4 Phantom Outer Wing Pylons (US Navy) (HMR48028) This is a set of Navy type outer wing pylons designed to fit the Zoukei Mura Phantoms (J and S). The set comes with separate sway brace pins so the modeller can adapt them completely free to the specific store and correct outboard angle (in case of MER or TER installed). Conclusion One thing common to a lot of F-4 kits is that they expect the modeller to use the outer tanks, however many phantoms flew without these and MERs / TERs could be loaded as long as the weight limits were kept. This set remedies this omission. While designed for the ZM kit there is no reason they can not be used on other kits. Jeffrey's attention to detail is legendary, and it shows in every set he makes. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of