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Some US Marine Corps aircraft deployed to Nellis AFB for a Marine Air Wing 3 exercise using the Nellis ranges, May 1981. AV-8A 158965, VMA-513, MODEX WF00 AV-8A 159231, VMA-513, WF02 OA-4M 153531, H&MS-13, YU5 OA-4M 154335, H&MS-13, YU7 EA-6B 160437, VMAQ-2, CY10 EA-6B 160705, VMAQ-2, CY12 EA-6B 160786, VMAQ-2, CY16 A-6E 152635, VMA-224, WK00 A-6E 155581, VMA-224, WK10 A-6E 159570, VMA-242, DT8 F-4N 153008, VMFA-323, WS02 F-4N 150651, VMFA-323, WS04 F-4N 152321, VMFA-323, WS05 F-4N 152982, VMFA-323, WS10 F-4N 152975, VMFA-531, EC02 F-4N 153006, VMFA-531, EC10 RF-4B 153091, VMFP-3, RF10 OV-10D 155483, VMO-2, UU20 OV-10D 155489, VMO-2, UU26 AH-1T 160818, HMA-169, SN17 AH-1T 160826, HMA-169, SN22 AH-1T 161015, HMA-169, SN23 UH-1N 159775, HML-267, UV06 Thanks for looking, Sven Old Viper Tester

I've finally finished this one after a brief hiatus of about a year while I moved flat and got my new work space set up. Possibly the most challenging kit I've built, and I had lots of fun trying to do the brass etch and resin justice. Some of it even made it to where it was supposed to be without pinging off the tweezers into the ether. I think it was worth it though, especially the details on the ejector seats. I messed up a couple of things. The angle of the main undercarriage is not right, because the Academy/Eduard kit has you assemble the bay walls from individual pieces and attach the main legs to these quite early in the build, so it's difficult to see how everything is supposed to line up. The decal for the "2293" ID number on the starboard side folded over itself and ended up looking a bit squashed, and I couldn't get the pin-wash for the panel lines to flow as well as I'd like - I think the varnish coat was a bit too thick for the engraved detail. Anyway, I imagine you'd like to see some pictures... Half of a build thread here:

Hi everybody, I have a doubt concerning the use of the AGM-12 Bullpup and the US Marines Corps Phantom. From what I know, the US Navy F-4J "was equipped with the AN/AJB bombing system which gave better ground attack capability and allowed the use of the Bullpup ASM (The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - Osprey 2021)." Thus, I can deduce that the earlier F-4B can't use the AGM-12 Bullpup; the question is if the rebuilt F-4N were wired to carry the AGM-12 and if the US Marines Corps ever carry this weapon before it was phased out in the late '70s. The idea is to build a US Marines F-4N armed with the AGM-12C, if it's realistic.

A lone F-4N, BuNo 150632 of VMFA-112, on the Transient Ramp at Nellis AFB, October 1981. Surprised that the drag chute lines are routed under the tail plane and wing. When the chute is brought back to the ramp, rather than jettisoned once clear of the runway, I've usually seen it routed over the aero surfaces and then secured (tied) to the inboard station for taxiing in. Thanks for looking, Sven

As 1/72 Hasegawa F-4N kits are easier to get today than their F-4Bs I'd like to know, whether slatted tailplanes and ECM fairings above the engine intakes are the only external differences to be retro-modified when aiming to model the F-4B. Cheers Michael

Announced (sort of) on their FB page. https://www.facebook.com/Hong-Kong-Models-Co-Ltd-1375731456009809/timeline/ Cheers, Andrew

Hello, here is my F-4N Phantom from Hasegawa in 1/72 scale. It was build oob, only with new ejection seats from Aires. It was intended as a relative fast and relaxing build but run into fit problems and proplems caused by me. Had also some problems with the decals. The sundowner emblem on the nose gear door will be replaced when the second kit arrives....... Played a bit with some Photo Bucket options, the pix were taken last July and the effects of the bright sun were a bit reduced. The weapon load is still incomplete. Nothing fancy, i hope you like this one.

Bicentennial Phantoms Eduard 1:48 This is Eduards second big release of the Academy 1:48 Phantom after their "Good Morning Da Nang" boxing, reviewed HERE and comes in a suitably large box, which is packed with styrene, along with the additional delights of resin, etched brass, fabric seatbelts and paint masks. All the aircraft depicted on the decals are F-4Ns which were refurbished from F-4Bs. The Navy, as part of project Bee Line, begun in 1972, rebuilt 228 F-4Bs to the new standard, strengthening and re-stressing the airframe, replacing some of the electronics, adding new mission equipment and fixing the engine smoke issues of earlier models. Aircraft selected for conversion were sent to NAS North Island, California, where they were stripped and inspected. They were then completely rebuilt using new parts. The changes included a structural strengthening to extend the fatigue life, plus a complete rewiring. The electrical generating system was upgraded with 30-kVA constant speed alternators. The F-4N retained the thin wings and tires, the main radar, and the under nose infrared search and track detector of the F-4B. The F-4N was also fitted with an F-4J-style slotted stabilator, (included in the kit), which helped solve "Mach tuck" problems when decelerating from supersonic speeds and which reduced approach speeds during landings. All F-4Ns had their inboard leading-edge flaps locked shut. The F-4N was physically distinguishable from the F-4B by the long antenna fairings fitted along the upper engine intakes, which housed the Saunders AN/ALQ-126 Defensive Electronic Counter Measures system. It would be difficult to emulate what Mike has said about the build in his review since the kits are essentially the same, with the only differences being the decals. Because these aircraft were generally displayed clean, the various weapons provided aren’t really needed and can be consigned to the spares box, along with a host of other parts. Although you can still use the weapons should you desire it, as these aircraft were still in use with front line squadrons. Decals The two decal sheets have been produced, once again, by Furball Aero Design and they are well up to the standard now expected from these premium kits. The register and opacity are good and the carrier film almost nonexistent. The Bicentennial colours are beautifully drawn and printed with the colours bright and vivid. The sheer number of stencils on the second sheet is mind boggling, but equally well printed. It looks like it will take as long to add the stencils as it would build and paint the model, patience is the order of the day for this task. The aircraft markings provided are :- F-4N 151433, VF-161 “Chargers”, USS Midway, 1976 F-4N 150452, VF-151 “Vigilantes”, USS Midway, 1976 F-4N 152293, VF-111 “Sundowners”, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. 1976 F-4N 150442, VF-302 “Stallions”, NAS Miramar, 1976 F-4N 150476, VF-51 “Screaming Eagles”, USS Coral Sea, 1976 Conclusion Although the Academy kit has been very well received, it’s not without its faults and the modeller may wish to replace the horizontal tail planes with one of the excellent aftermarket sets that are available, as the details are a little soft. That said it will still build into a great looking Phantom and with the decals provided in this boxing, a very colourful one too. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of