MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F-4 PHANTOM II PART 1, THE: Part 1: USAF Variants

DATAFILE

THE McDONNELL DOUGLAS

F-4 Phantom II A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR THE MODELLER

Part 1: USAF Variants by Andy Evans

SAM PU BL I CAT IONS

Cover: 'E's and 'D's combine for a raid (© via Glenn Sands)

Modellers Datafile No.12 The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Part 1: USAF Variants by Andy Evans First published in 2007 by SAM Publications Media House, 21 Kingsway, Bedford, MK42 9BJ, United Kingdom © 2007 SAM Publ ications © Andy Evans - Text © David Howley - Colou r artwork © David Howley - Scale plans

All rights reserved. No part of this publicat ion may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. ISB 0-955 1858-3-0 Typeset by SAM Publications, Media House, 21 Kingsway, Bedford, MK42 9B), United Kingdom Designed by Simon Sugarhood Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by PrinthaUs, Un ited Kingdom

The Modellers Datafile Series • No.1 - De Havilland Mosquito ' • No.2 - Hawker Hurrica ne' • No.3 - Supermarine Spitfire (Part I: Merli n-Powered) ' • No.4 - Avro Lancaster (Inc Manchester & Lincoln) • No.5 - Supermarine Spitfire (Part 2: Griffon-Powered) • No.6 - Bristol Beaufighter • No.7 - English Electric Lightning • No.8 - Gloster (& Armstrong-Whitworth) Meteor • No.9 - Messerschm itt Bf 109 (Part I Prototype to E Variants) • No.IO - Messerschmitt Bf 109 (Part 2 F to KVariants) • No.11 - British Aerospace Sea Harrier • Out of print

Acknowledgments Thanks are due to the following for their assistance with information and the loan of images and diagrams that populate this Datafile: Glenn Sands, Richard L. Ward, Mark Smith, Don Gilham, Curtiss Knowles, Gary Chambers, Mark Carlisle, Dennis Robinson, Ken Withers, Ben Brown, Larry McCarly, Gary Prettyman, Angelo Picardo, Phil Brandt, McDonnell Douglas Press Office, USAF Public Affairs and thanks are also due to Neil Robinson, Gary Hatcher and David Francis of SAM Publications. Authors Note: Whilst every care has been taken in the gathering of images for this book. either from original sources. via third party collections or the authors own archives. every effort has been made to identify and credit photographers responsible for the photograph and where possible and obtain the necessary permissions for their use. However the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any omissions beyond their control and should any persons feel their copyright has been inadvertent,," breached. please contact the au thor via the publisher.

,An;)'! t.uanJ September 2007

SAM PUBLICATIONS

Contents Introduction 5 Glossary 7 The F-4C and F-4D - 8 Chapter1

The F-4C - 8 The EF-4C - 14 The F-4C In Detail - 16 The F-4 Ejector Seat - 21 The F-4D - 24 Deployment to Vietnam - 32

The RF-4C - 38 Chapter 2

The RF-4C - 38 Camera Nose Details - 48 RF-4C Cockpit - 53

Colour Side-views - 54

Chapter

3

The F-4E - 62 The F-4E - 62 The F-4E in Vietnam - 70 ADC F-4E Keflavik - 74 Sharksmouth F-4E - 76 F-4E In Detail - 79 TISEO F-4E - 84 ARN-l Ol F-4E - 86 F-4E Cockpit - 88

The F-4G - 92 Chapter 4

Chapter

Chapter

The F-4G - 92 Gulf War F-4 - 98 The F-4G In Detail - 100

USAF Thunderbirds Display Team - 104

5

Thunderbirds - 104

6

QF-4 Drones - 106

QF-4 Drones - 106

Test and Evaluation Phantoms - 110 ChaPler 7

Test and Evaluation Phantoms - 110

ChaPler S

F-4D in 1/32 - 112 F-4G in 1/48 - 116 RF-4C in 1172 - 120

Phantom Kit Builds - 112

Appendices Appendix

I Kit Listing - 122 A guide to Phantom kits

Appendix

II Accessories and Conversions - 123 Add-ons and enhancements

Appendix

III Decals - 124 Available liveries for the Phantom

Appendix

IV USAF F-4 Main Differences - 125 Type comparison

Appendix

V Biblography - 126 A concise list of books, journals and periodicals

Index 127 Fold-out Plans - 1/72nd scale

Introduction

he F-4 Phantom is one of the most iconic and popular aircraft ever produced, and in this Modellers Datafile the USAF versions are those which command our attention. As the history, development and prototypes of the embryonic F-4 are beyond the scope of this book it is the intention to concentrate of the on the USAF in service types looking at each variant in turn. Within such a vast subject area as the F-4 Phantom it is impossible to cover every single aspect of the 'Spook' and its many makings options within the pages afforded this Datafile, however, it is hoped that the aircraft is given the fullest attention within these constraints and that a the ubiquitous Phantom will be further revealed to both modellers and enthusiasts. The versions covered in this Datafile include the F-4C, F-4D, RF-4C, F-4E and F-4G, and it will provide photographic and diagrammatic details as well as modelling the F-4C, RF-4C and F-4G, with additional resources on Kits, Decals and Accessories. In addition there is an exclusive decal sheet only available with this publication.

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deployed from a carrier, armed with air-to-air missiles instead of guns, that could cruise out to a radius of 250 nautical miles, stay on combat patrol, attack an intruder when necessary, and return to the carrier deck within three hours. McDonnell responded with a new design for a twoplace fighter/bomber to respond to the Navy's need for an allweather fleet air defence aircraft, yet retaining attack capabilities. In mid-1955 the full-scale engineering mock-up of this new twin-engine was available, and featured a swept wing with no dihedral, and the horizontal tails drooped down at an angle of 15 deg. Results of the first phase of tunnel tests indicated that the aircraft exhibited serious deficiencies in lateral-directional stability characteristics at supersonic speeds, including unstable dihedral effect and marginal

The first of the USAF's many! (© McDonnell Doug/as)

A Brief History Under its own financing and initiative, McDonnell began developing an all-weather attack fighter in August 1953, shortly after it lost a competitive bid to build a Navy supersonic air-superiority fighter. The McDonnell FH-l Phantom, which made its first flight on January 26, 1945, was first operated from a carrier in the summer of 1946, and entered squadron service in 1948. The aircraft was conventional in design and employed an un swept wing with simple high-lift devices; manual flight controls were provided about all three axes. However, by now newer the Navy had released details of a desired new mission: an aircraft to be

Preface

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A very nice anniversary Phantom as displayed at the London International Airshow in Ontario Canada in 1988 (~ Author's Cotlection)

No rth American Sabre. Total US production was 5057, with another 138 being built under license in Japan. The Phantom was in co ntinuous production for 20 years (from 1959 until 1979) and during the Vietnam War, 72 Phantoms were coming off the production line every month. Although initially designed as an interceptor and later used primarily in the air-to-ground strike role, th e Phantom proved to be surprisingly successful in the air-to-air role when the correct tactics were used . USAF, Navy, and Ma rin e Corps Phantom lIs achieved 277 air-to-air co mbat vic tories in Vietnam . The Phantom was th e first nava l fighter to dispense totally with cannon armament and the first fighter that was able to identify, intercept and destroy any target th at came into range of its radar without hav ing to rely on groun d control and it was first aircraft originally designed solely as a carrier-based directional stab ility. To cure these problems, McDonnell introduced 12 deg of geometric dihedral into th e outer wing panels (which were foldable for carrier operations) and increased the size of the ve rtical tail. First flown in May 1958, the Navy awarded a production contract to McDonnell in December 1958 and in July 1959, the aircraft was formally christened the F-4 Phantom II in tribute to McDonnell's FH-l Phantom. Thus a legend was created! The McDonnell Phantom went on to be one of the most successful post-war fighters, and the second most prolific American jet fighter to be built, outnumbered only by the

fighter to be ordered by the USAF. It was also the first fighter to have computer-controlled air inlets for optimum airflow to the engines and finally, it was the first aircraft to be flown simultaneously by both the Navy's Blue Angels and th e Air Force's Thunderbirds flight demonstration teams. ;411~'t

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September, 2007

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Preface

Glossary

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AAA .... . ... Anti-Aircraft Artillery AAM . ... . ... Air to Air Missile AB .......... Air Base (Non-US) ADC ........ Air Defence Command AFB . . . . . . . .. Air Force Base AFRES . . . . .. Air Force Reserve AGM ........ Ait to Ground Missile AGM ........ Airborne Guided Missile AIM ....... .Air Intercept Missile ANG .... . ... Air National Guard ARM ........ Anti-Radar Missile CAP . . . . . . . . .Combat Air Patrol Capt . . .. .. .. Captain CO . .. ....... Commanding Officer CORDS . ... . .Coherent On Record Doppler System CW ......... Continous Wave ECM ........ Electronic Countermeasuers EWACS ...... Electronic Wide Angle Camera System EWO . ....... Electronic Warfare Officer FIS . ......... Fighter Interceptor Squadron FUR . . . .. . .. Forward Looking Infra-Red FS . ... . . .... Fighter Squadron FW . . . . ... . .Fighter Wing GIB .. ... . . .. Guy In Back HARM . . . . . .High Speed Anti-Radar Missile HAWC . . . . . . .Homing Radar And Warning Computer

LORAN .... . .Long Range Navigation LOROP . . . . .. Long Range Oblique Photography NOLO . . . .... No Onboard Live Operator NULLO ...... Not Utilising Local Live Operator NVA ........ North Vietnamese Army PPI ........ .Plan Position Indicator PUP . . . . . . . .Performance Update Program RHAW ..... .Radar Homing And Warning system RTAFB ... . . .Royal Thai Air Force Base SAM ..... . . .Surface to Air Missile SEA ......... South East Asia TAC . ........ Tactical Air Command TACAN ...... Tactical Air Navigation TEREC ...... Tactical Electronic Recconaisance TFW ........ Tactical Fighter Wing TISEO ....... Target Identification system electro Optical TRG .. . .. ... Tactical Reconnaisance Group TRTS ... . .... Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron TRW ....... .Tactical Reconnaisance Wing USAF ....... United States Air Force USA FE ...... United Satates Air Forces Europe USMC . . . . . .. United States Marine Corps USN .. . ..... United States Navy Wizzo . ... .. .weapons Systems Officer/Operator WSO ..... . .. Weapons Systems Operator/Officer

Glossary

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The F-4C and F-4D The F-4C

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he impressive performance of the US Navy's F4H Phantom immediately caught the attention of the USAF, which under normal circumstances would have never considered any aircraft that had originally been conceived for the Navy. However, under pressure from Secretary of Defence Robert McNama ra, who wanted to reduce defence expenditures by achieving greater commonality between the aircraft flown by the various services, in 1961 the Air Force agreed to undertake an evaluation of the F4H -I Phantom II and a comparative assessment between the F4H-I and the F- I06A Delta Dart which took place under the code name Operation Highspeed. The F4H-I had better overall speed, altitude and range performance than the F-I06A and in addition, it could carry heavier loads over longer distances and had a 25 percent greater radar range. The F4H-l was also much more versatile than the

119th FW 'Happy Hootigans' were the proud owners of this F-4C (© via Mark Smith)

63-596 wearing the colours of the California Air Guard (© Author's Collection)

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Chapter 1

Air Force's F-105 Thunderchief, since it could not only carry similar external loads but was also potentially a much better air superiority fighter due to its more favourable wing and power loadings. Likewise in the reconnaissance role, the Phantom offered a much better performance than the RF-IO IA/C, and unl ike the Voodoo, could be fitted for night photographic missions. Since the Phantom had so much going for it, in January 1962,

President Kennedy requested Congressional approval for the procurement of F4H-l derivatives for the Air Force under the designation F- ll O. The F-i l OA was to be the tactical fighter version, with RF-I IOA being the tactical reconnaissance version and the name 'Spectre' was assigned to the aircraft and in support of this program, the Defence Department instructed that McDonnell deliver two Navy F4H- Is to the Air Force for evaluation. On January 24, 1962, the two Navy F4H-I s (BuNos 149405 and 149406) were delivered to the Air Force at Langley AFB in Virginia. The results of the trials were impressive. The Phantom met or exceeded all the Air Force's expectations and in March of 1962, the Defence Department announced that landbased versions of the Phantom were to become the standard tactical fighter and tactical reconnaissance aircraft of the USAF.

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t In

= On March 30, McDonnell received a letter of intent for one F-llOA (serial number 62-12199), and on May 29, another letter was received for a pair ofYRF-IIOA reconnaissance aircraft (6212200 and 62-1 2201). In order to formalise the F-11O project, the Air Force issued Specific Operational Requirement 200 on August 29, 1962; this called for an aircraft based on the F4H-I but with an added ground attack capability. The folding wings, catapult attachment points, and arrestor hooks of the naval version were to be retained; however dual controls were to be provided for the

backs eater. The high tyre pressure of the Navy F-4B necessary for carrier operations were unnecessary for the Air Force, and new wider ones with lower pressures were fitted, along with anti-skid brakes. On September 18 1962, the Defence Department ordered that all Air Force, Army, and Navy aircraft be designated under a common, universal system. In particular, this meant that the F4H naval designation and the F-IIO Air Force designation was abolished replaced by 'F-4' with different service types being identified by a following letter. Thereby the F4H -I Phantom was redesignated F-4B, the F-IIOA became

Looking pristine in its ADe grey and wearing the miniature 'FM' tailcode of the 482nd TFW is 63-537 (© via Marl< Smith)

MiG Killer 63-589 based at Keflavik in Iceland prepares for a training sortie (© via Glenn Sands)

n

The F-4C and F-4D

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- - - - - = : -- -

63-576 snapped on the ramp at Tyndall AF8 in 1979 (© via Marl< Smith)

One of the most colourful F-4C units was the Michigan Air National Guard with its yellow and black colours (© Author's Collection)

A rather strange hue is evident here aboard 63-689 of the Texas Air National Guard

(© Author's Cot/ection)

One of the European bases that operated the F-4C was Spangdahlem in Germany (© Wa Marl< Smith)

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Chapter 1

known as the F-4C and the YRF- II OA became YRF-4C, and at the same time both Ai r Force and Navy versions were christened Phantom II. The first production F-4C (62- 12199) took off on its maiden flight on May 27, 1963. The F-4C was externally almost identical to the naval F-4B, and came fitted with the same nosecone with its associated AAA-4 infrared search and track fairing, which in an effort to minimise production delays the Air Force accepted but chose not to fi t any electronics within it. However, internally it differed from the F-4B as it was fitted with dual controls, as the Air Force intended to fly it as a two-pilot aircraft. As the need for carrier landings was negated low-pressure tyres were fitted, which required thicker wheels which in turn, required deeper wheel wells which resulted in a slight bulge being added above and below the inner wing panels. The probe-and-drogue aerial refuelling system of the Navy version was replaced by the Air Force's favoured boom system with a receptacle being mounted on top of the fuselage behind the rear cockpit. The backseater (who was now also a pilot) had new consoles, a lowered panel fo r improved forward visibility, a relocated radar tracking handle, attack switches, and other refinements. The F-4C also had substantially different electronic equipment to its naval counterpart, including a Westinghouse AN/ APQ- IOO radar system with ground mapping capability, an AN/ APA-157 CW illuminator fo r the AIM-7 Sparrow family of air- to-air missiles, and an AN/AjB-7 all-altitude nuclear bomb control system with low-altitude release capability. The aircraft also had a Litton AN/ASN-48 (LNI2A/B ) inertial navigation system, and an AN/ASN-46 navigation computer. Other systems included the ASN-39 (later -46) dead-reckoning nav igation computer, the ALR-17 electronic countermeasures radar warning receiver, APR-25 radar homing and warning system, an APR-26 SAM launch warning system, an APN-14 1 (later -1 59) radar altimeter, an A24G central air data computer, a General Electric ASA-32A analogue autopilot and flight-control system, an ASQ- 19 communications/navigation/identification package, and an ARW-77 Bullpup missile control system. Some F-4Cs were equipped with the SST- 18IX Combat Skyspot radar bombing system. Furthermore the F-4C was powered by two General Electric )79-GE- 15 turbojets and a built-in cartridge starting system was provided, whilst the crew members sat on MartinBaker Mk H5 ejector seats. In the USAF F-4s, the rear seat crewmember could perform virtually all of the flight manoeuvres that the pilot could, with only a few exceptions. The GIB or'Guy in Back', the Pilot Systems Officer (PSO) later called the Weapons Systems Officer or 'Wizzo" (WSO) in Air Force

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63-426 in colourful garb (© via Mark Smith)

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ith

Caught at the 1977 William Tell meet at Tyndal AFB (note the apple on the drop tank) is this Kellavik based bird 63685 (
via Mark Smith)

QF-4E/G Phantom Target Drones

1091

Test and Evaluation ChaPte,7

66-291 an NF-4E of the 6512 TS

(© v~ Marie Smfth)

A very fearsome F-4E! (© via Glenn Sands)

66-291 an NF-4E of the 6512 TS

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Chapter7

(© via Marie Smith)

67-455 carrying the HAFB taitcode

(© Author's Coffection)

0"

The used YRF-4 had many guises, here seen in the Fly By Wire CCV configuration (© via Gtenn Sands)

63-424, an F-4C from Ogden AlC taxies out at Hill AFB,

80-304, an F-4E carrying the HAFB tailcode

(© via Glenn Sands)

(© Via Mark Smith)

Test and Evaluation

2!.!J

Modelling the Phantom Chapter S

Vietnam Phantom Phantom F-4D Tamiya 1/32 scale Gary Prettyman

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hiSkit was originally released around 1995 and on opening the large box the first thing you notice is a full-length tube of bubble wrap containing a wholly moulded fuselage. This is not the usual Tamiya moulding as you don't have a left and right side; you have the upper fuselage as one complete item and a one- piece moulding for the bottom of the wing. The rest of the kit is pure Tamiya and includes: • Positionable speed brakes • Four Aim-9 Sidewinders • Four Aim-7E Sparrows • 6 Mk 82 500lb bombs, • 6 Mk82 500 lb bombs with extender fuses • Two 370 Gallon wing tanks.

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ChapterB

• Metal undercarriage with rubber tyres • Acomprehensive large decal sheet with the following options: - Aircraft number 67 - 661, from the 435th TFS, 8th TFW, coded FO. - Aircraft number 66-279, from the 497th, 8th TFW, coded FP. This aircraft has the added bonus of the Loran Antenna. - Aircraft number 40- 829, from 8th TFW and this particular one was flown by Colonel Robin Olds - Coded FG. The cockpit is an important and intricate part of the aircraft and Tamiya have changed the cockpit details from the early Navy release and have included full Air Force instrumentation. Although the deta il was good I wanted to improve its look so I used Ed uard brass set number 32-544 and when this was installed it certainly looked the part. The ejection seats are adequate, but again I used two resin seats from Legend as they gave a more detailed appearance when painted. The only additional items added to the seats were the pull handles. These were simply made from small gauge wire painted black and yellow and then twisted together. The cockpit was painted in Dark Gull Grey ES. 36231 and when dry was given a wash of

Modelling the Phantom

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Raw Umber oil paint then brushed with a light shade of grey to highlight the detail. The dials and other small details were picked out with Red, White, Yellow, and Light Gull Grey. These parts were then installed in to the fuselage, whilst the canopies were dipped in 'Johnsons clear' then masked ready for spraying. The Eduard brass set also provides the framing around the canopies as well as the interior detail, and all these were painted Matt Black. Tamiya do make an excellent kit, but this one is not without its faults. I discovered that when Tamiya were doing measurements for this kit they used a Battle Damage Repair (BDR) aircraft from Kadena Airbase in Okinawa, Japan. This aircraft had repair patches on the upper fuselage and wings and consequently Tamiya have included this detail on their kit! As the patches are not part of any service aircraft they needed to be removed. The air intakes do not escape either and there is a lot of work to do in removing the seam on the deepest section of the trunking. The inside of the intakes did not want to fit at all, so in the end I had to admit defeat and fitted them as they came. If there is one accessory you really need to buy for this kit it would be the 'Seamless Intakes' which are available from Cutting Edge. Unfortunately they were not available when I was building this model!

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Chapter S

The main afterburner has quite a few ejector pin marks and these were tackled with a little 'Tipp-Ex' and once dry they were sanded down and sprayed with Alclad Steel and set aside for later use. Moving on to the wings, I followed the instructions and glued the two top halves to the single one-piece bottom and then I 'screwed and glued' the whole thing to the fuselage. The undercarriage was next made up of plastic and metal parts which all went together without any problems. Constructing the rest of the kit was simple and straightforward and once complete I set alJ the parts, (including wing tanks, missiles and bombs) aside for painting later on. I used the missiles from the kit, although you can get some rather good ones from 'Flightpath' as these have highly detailed white metal bodies and brass fins. The nose was painted matt black and then when was given a coat of semi matt black and set aside. The bombs were assembled and painted thus: firstly paint the tips of the bombs

yellow, then when dry use an ordinary drinking straw and attach this to the tip of the bomb covering tlle yellow. Then all you have to do is simply spray on the Olive Drab! Once all the kit parts were assembled, I gave the aircraft and associated parts a coat of'Halford's' white primer, and once dry any inlperfections were remedied using minute amounts of filler and a little light sanding. Then the panel lines were sprayed with thinned Tamiya matt black which dries very quickly. The paints used for the rest of the model were enamels from 'White Ensign'. I sprayed the bottom half of the aircraft and the bottom half of

the wing tanks with ES. 36622 Grey in thin layers, progressively building up the colour until I was happy with the result. Spraying in this manner also helps to accentuate the black lines and create a shadowed effect. This was then left overnight, and followed by the fi rst of the Vietnam camouflage colours, FS34 102 Olive Drab Green which was once again given an overnight stay. The next colour was the FS30219 Tan followed by FS 34079 Dark Green. All of the painting was done freehand, using my trusty 'Iwata' airbrush. Attention now turned to the rear of the aircraft and to all the parts that needed to look metal. There was a small amount of masking to do on the rear heat plates and around the exhaust area which took around 20 minutes, and then the parts were sprayed with Alclad Aluminium. I then sprayed a thin layer of A1clad Steel over the top to make it look burnt from the heat of the exhaust. After a further twenty-four hours drying time two coats of Johnson's clear were applied in preparation for the decals.

Micro Set and Micro Sol was used to apply the decals and the aircraft was then weathered with a wash of Raw Umber oil paint with any excess being wiped with a small piece of cotton cloth and white spirit. Remember to wipe in the direction of the airflow to ensure an authentic look. Once dry the model was sprayed with a coat of matt varnish to complete the build. Despite some of the little problems that I encountered during the making of this model, this is still an outstanding kit. Tamiya once aga in must be applauded a truly wonderful kit of an astounding aircraft.

Modelling the Phantom

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'Wild Weasel' Phantom F-4G Hasegawa 1/48 scale Angelo Picardo

his model of The F-4G is part of Hasegawa's later version Phantom moulds with recessed panel lines as opposed to the raised ones, though some minor parts with raised details are included in the box. This particular model is a rerelease and features two marking schemes on the decal sheet different to those depicted in the instructions, and are noted on a supplementary sheet. Construction begins with the cockpit. For injection moulding technology, the cockpit is not bad, and has nicely detailed instrument panels and side consoles but rather sparse sidewall details.'Aires' provide an alternative in the form of their exquisitively detailed cockpit set for the Wild Weasel which consists of fourteen beautifully moulded cream coloured resin parts along with a etched metal fret which enhances the cockpit to the next level. The fuselage parts require modification to accept the new resin and etched parts and this is made fairly simple as the plastic is quite soft and cuts easily. The pilot's instrument shroud, cockpit sills and inter-cockpit spacer all need to be removed and the cockpit sidewalls need the basic detail removing and a fair amount of its plastic thinning down to get the resin tub to fit. The tub itself has a large pour plug on its base and this needs to be removed and thinned as it has to sit on top of the nosewheel bay. Care has to be taken here to ensure it does not sit too high and further attention is necessary when thinning the nose bay roof as the plastic and resin is pretty thin by the time the correct fit is achieved. Once all this preparatory work is done, the cockpit can be painted. The tub has separate sidewalls, instrument panels, control columns and various etched pedals and levers, which all feature an extraordinary level

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ChapterS

of detail that comes to life when painted black and highlighted by dry brushing. The ejector seats feature an amazing amount of detail. The seat harness is provided on the etched fret along with the face curtain ejector seat firing handles. This little set is crammed packed with detail that responds to paint and brings the whole thing to life. Other etched parts go together with acetate fLlm to form the actual instrument faces and the canopy sills, as well as the pilot's mirrors and a few other instruments. Once the cockpit is completed it can be inserted into the fuselage halves. When assembling the fuselage, care is needed when cementing the spine as a large amount of detail such as panel lines, inspection access panels and the in-flight refuelling

receptacle could be lost. Despite being as careful as possible, I still needed to re-engrave some panel lines removed by seam clean-up. The tail fin is moulded to the fuselage halves and features a leading edge probe which is also susceptible to damage if you are not careful! Hasegawa provide the nose cone as two separate parts that fit together very well, in fact, it is almost seamless, however Hasegawa's Phantoms are let down by their air intakes. Instead of the intakes disappearing down to the turbine faces deep inside the fuselage, they end abruptly just past the rear cockpit. I could have used one of the resin intake sets but I decided to go for the easy option of making two FOD guards from plastic card to hide the lack of depth.

Modelling the Phantom

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The lower wings include the belly section of the fuselage and extend out to the wing fold line. The upper wings have the lower half of the outer wings moulded integrally and these fi t together perfectly and the wings also feature the modified extending leading-edge slats on the outer wing panels. The fit of the wings to the body needs some attention where the lower panel joins the fuselage at the aft end, to ensure a nice clean fit, but otherwise it's no problem. Hasegawa include a good selection of under wing stores: four Sparrow and four Sidewinders AAMs; a Shrike and HARM antiradiation missile and an ALQ-119 jamming pod, and also included are

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Chapter8

the standard Phantom wing and centre line tanks. The Shrike and HARM are mounted on the inboard wing pylons on adaptor ra ils and if these are fitted, the Sidewinders will be relegated to the spares box. The inboard pylons are from the earlier version of the F-4 and feature some raised detail but this is hardly noticeable. In the forward port Sparrow well ALQ- 119 was added leaving the 'Weasel' with three Sparrows fo r self defence. All the underwing stores, along with the undercarriage and tailplanes, were left until the end to keep things easy fo r masking and painting and to avoid damage. Markings are provided for two versions of the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, 563rd Tactical Fighter Squadron aircraft, one being in latter day 'Hill Grey' colours, whilst the other offers a South East Asia scheme, which was chosen for this build. After

masking off the transparencies with Tamiya masking tape, the canopy frames and nose cone were sprayed with Humbrol's Matt Black and once dry, the nose cone was masked off and the underside painted with Humbrol's Light Grey (64) . For the upper surface camouflage Humbrol's US Tan (118), US Dark Green (11 6) and Humbrol's US Light Green (11 7) were used and to achieve a hard demarcation line between colours, I masked the outline with 'Silly Putty' and filled in the rest of the area with regular masking tape. Once the camouflage painting was completed, I removed all but the canopy masks and airbrushed two coats of Klear Floor Polish onto the whole model to provide a hard gloss base for the decals and fo r weathering. The decals themselves are very well printed with excellent colour density and perfec t registration. They were applied using more Klear as a setting agent and thankfully unlike some Phantoms, this version is not plastered in stencil data thus

making the whole process quick and easy. The only struggle was with the fuselage walkway decals which put up a bit of fight against going on straight. Once the decals were dry, any excess fluid and decal glue was wiped away and a wash of thinned raw umber oil paint was applied to accentuate the panel lines. Some light dry brushing and a few paint scrapes finished off the weathering, and some streaking was applied to represent fluid and grime caused by the air flow. When this was all done, Humbrol's matt varnish returned the paint to a fla t finish. Once this was dry, I than masked of the tail section and painted the metallic section of the aircraft's rear with Humbrol's 'Metal Cote' colours using their Aluminium, and Polished Steel, which buff up to a great metallic sheen. The exhausts cans were painted using Gun Metal and all the metallic sections were further weathered using Tamiya XF-I S Smoke and some dry brushing with Aluminium. Final assembly saw the fitting of the undercarriage, external stores, tailplanes, canopies and a crew boarding ladder which was included in the kit as well as the aforementioned FOD guards, whose red finish added a splash of colour to the model.

-Modelling the Phantom

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Photo-Phantom Phantom RF-4C Hasegawa 1/72 scale Angelo Picardo

H

asegawa's model of the RF-4C has been available for some time and is periodically re-released with new markings and colour schemes. The subject of this model has three marking variations for grey over white USAF aircraft from the mid -sixties in a colour scheme usually associated with US Navy Phantoms. This build is 'straight from the box' and no extras were used in order to show that a very reasonable model can be produced without additional expenditure. As Hasegawa produce a number of different F-4s in this scale, the fuselage mould is generic and designed to enable a number of different types to be made from its basic components; therefore the fuselage has a fore and aft split just behind the rear cockpit. The cockpit is nicely detailed for a kit of this scale and the cockpit tub needs the bulkheads, instrument panels and control columns adding along with the rear instrument panels and separate radar scope shroud. Hasegawa provide decals for the instrument panels and side console which in this scale are perfectly adequate. The real gems in the cockpit are the ejector seats. Each one is made up from five parts and the only addition required is a harness which can be scratch built. The whole of the cockpit assembly sits on top of the nosewheel bay which is integral to the underside of the nose itself. As parts of this model are also used for a US Navy version the retractable IFR probe section has to be fLlled as the US Air force use a different type refuelling system. Hasegawa provide clear parts for the various camera ports on this reconnaissance machine and they also provide a representation of the cameras. The two sides of the nose, along with the underside and clear camera port fairing, all fit together with ease, and can then be set aside while the rest of the aircraft is built. The rear portion of the fuselage is moulded with the

1120

Chapter 8

vertical fin as a part of it, except for the tip. These two fuselage halves go together with the minimum of fuss requiring only a hole to be opened up on the spine to receive a blade antenna. One tip for reference is to fustly attach the nose to the rest of the fuselage before bringing the halves together. Care in aligning the fuselage pieces is essential to ensure as seamless a joint as possible as any sanding or filling would destroy the fine detail along the spine. Another small piece of surgery requires the removal of the topmost probe on the tail fm. The next stage of assembly involves the air intakes which is a weak spot of this kit. Hasegawa has the intakes rather truncated, ending just aft of the rear cockpit, so when you peer into the gloom of the intakes you are greeted with a blank wall! Good advice would therefore be to seek out or construct a pair of FOD guards. The wings are in five parts comprising the lower wing incorporating the fuselage belly,

two upper wings and the sections outboard of the wing fold point. These all go together with minimal fuss and only require some slight trimming to attach to the fuselage. As the whole of the underside would be white, along with the undercarriage legs, bays and inner surface of the doors, these were attached at this stage leaving the tyres and wheels for later addition. The canopy is provided in four parts and these are thin and clear but do have some flash present so a careful clean up is required as they are quite brittle. Also included in the clear parts are the fairings for the rear cockpit mirrors, but check carefully as depending on which colour scheme you are making the positions of these fairings may vary. For underwing stores, the kit includes the standard wingmounted drop tanks, two types of centreline tanks and USAF style inboard pylons that have

Sidewinder rails fitted, and again check any references for the model you are making as to whether any AAMs were actually carried. The two aft troughs for the Sparrow missiles are blanked over on this version and the fit of these blanking parts is perfect. One of the final assembly stages is for the drag chute compartment fairing which is really a trial as this comes in two very small pieces! The kit features markings for three USAF RF-4Cs, all from 1965 with two from Shaw AFB, and one from Edwards Air Force Base, the latter forming the basis of this model, and as stated earlier, its grey over white scheme is one more readily associated with the US Navy. After masking off the transparencies with Tamiya tape, the canopy frames and anti -glare panel were sprayed Humbrol Matt Black. The anti-glare panel was then masked off and the model was given an overall cote of Humbrol Light Grey (64). Once this had dried, the upper surface was masked off and Humbrol Matt White applied to the underside and the drop tanks, these being left off to the very last to avoid them being prematurely jettisoned! The upper surface of the flaps and the rudder was also sprayed white along with both sides of the tailplanes. To represent the two-tone metallic finish of the engine exhaust plates Humbrol's Metal Cote colours, namely Aluminium (27001) and Polished Steel (27003) were used and to represent the darker finish on the exhaust cans, equal parts of Polished Steel with Gun Metal (27004) were mixed and applied. Once the paint had all dried, all the masking was removed except for the ones on the transparencies, and the model was airbrushed with a couple of cotes of Klear floor polish to provide a gloss coat for decaling and weathering. The kit's decals are well printed and in register though the white portions are slightly translucent, however they settled down well with the Klear polish being used as a setting solution. Once the decals had dried, a wash of thinned Raw Umber oil paint was applied to accentuate the panel lines. Once this was dried, all remaining masks were removed, and the last parts, such as drop tanks, tailplanes, wheels and exhaust cans were added.

Modelling the Phantom

~

Kits

Appendix

US Air Force Phantom Kits lthough there have been plenty of Phantom kits produced over the years there are surprisingly few available today, many hav ing been deleted or just faded away. Some resurface under with new packaging, and the only way to be sure of what is in a particular box is to read the reviews in the modelling press, particularly Scale Aviation Modeller International. For this Datafile we include this listing of kits, which at the time of writing are still part of their individual manufacturer's catalogues, and whilst it is acknowledged that many older kits may still be very good and highly sought after by both the modeller and collector, it is the intention to look at only what is current at the date of publication and therefore ava ilable for modelling projects.

A

KIT NO

SCALE

TYPE

1:144

HE

Tamiya's 1/32 scale F-4C/D

Hasegawa's 1/48 RF-4C

NOTES

ACADEMY 4419

Hasegawa's 1/48 F-4G

USAF

HASEGAWA 00787 00790 00791 HAC02 HA848 09672 PT008 PT009

1:72 1:72 1:72 1:72 1:72 1:48 1:48 1:48

RF-4C USAF F-4E USAF RF-4C USAF F-4E USAF F-4C/D USAF F-4G USAF F-4E USAF F-4G USAF

ESCI 1/48 F-4E shorl nose

35 Years Special 30 Years Phabulous Phantoms 'Lizard' scheme Bicentennial 37th TFW 30 Years Phabulous Phantoms Wild Weasel

Tamiya's 1/32 F-4C/D

Minicrah's 1/144 scale F-4E

ITALERI 2639

1:48

F-4E

USAF Hasegawa's 1/48 F-4E

MINICRAFT 1:144

F-4E

USAF

1:144

F-4E/J

USAF

1:32 1:32

F-4C/D F-4E

USAF USAF

Warplanes of the World series

REVELL 4002

TAMIYA 60305 6310

Early Production

A Gull Grey and While scheme adorns FJ-023 41023 (© Vi, Glenn Sands)

1122

Appendix I • Kits

I

Accessories & Conversions AEROCLUB

Appendix

II

EDUARD

EDSS201

etched

1/72

EJ003

metal

1/72

Martin Baker Mk 5H seats for early F-4

ED72448

etched

1/72

Cockpit ladder

V184

metal

1/72

Undercarriage Set

EDSS265

etched

1/72

RF-4C Cockpit pre-painted

ED72395

etched

1/72

Exhausts for Hasegawa kits

AEC32002

etched

1/32

F-4 E/J seat harness

ED72446

etched

1/72

FaD covers

AEC72023

resin

1/72

Canopy set for Hasegawa kit

EDXS043

mask

1/72

Canopy and wheels

AEC72035

etched

1/72

F-4E/J seat harness

C036

1/72

Phantom Canopy

AIRWAVES

AIRES

F-4E Cockpit pre-painted

ED49231

etched

1/48

F-4E Cockpit set pre-painted

ED48434

etched

1/48

FaD covers

2009

resin

1/32

F-4E engine exhausts

EDFE231

etched

1/48

F-4E Cockpit set for Hasegawa kit

4118

resin

1/48

Exhausts for Hasegawa kits

ED48462

etched

1/48

Exhausts for Hasegawa kits

48123

resin

1/48

Wheel bays for Hasegawa kits

EDFE340

etched

1/48

RF-4C Cockpit detail set pre-painted

4126

resin

1/48

Cockpit set for Hasegawa F-4E/F

ED49257

etched

1/48

F-4G detail set

4231

resin

1/48

RF-4B/C Photo bay for Hasegawa kit

EDFE257

etched

1/48

F-4G Cockpit detail set pre-painted

4240

resin

1/48

F-4C Cockpit set for Hasegawa kit

ED32509

etched

1/32

Placards

4245

resin

1/48

F-4D Cockpit set for Hasegawa kit

ED32503

etched

1/32

F-4E Interior set pre-painted

4255

resin

1/48

F-4E Cockpit set for Hasegawa Kit

ED32545

etched

1/32

F-4C/D Interior set pre-painted for Tamiya kits

7083

resin

1/72

Wheel bays for Revell kit

ED321 48

etched

1/32

F-4C/D Exterior set for Hasegawa kit

ED32544

etched

1/32

F-4C Interior set pre-painted

etched

1/32

F-4 Formation lights pre-painted

AIROOC

4801

resin

1/48

F-4E/RF-4C AN/ARN-1 01 Modification

ED32531

4802

resin

1/48

600 gal HPC tanks

EDXL035

mask

1/32

Paint mask

4803

resin

1/48

F-4C/D/E/G Detail set

ED32073

etched

1/32

F-4E Exterior set for Tamiya kit

ED32032

etched

1/32

F-4C/D Detail set for Tamiya kit

BLACK BOX

48058

resin

1/48

F-4D Cockpit set for Hasegawa kit

ED32074

etched

1/32

F-4 E Armament for Tamiya kit

3242

resin

1/32

F-4D Cockpit set with LORAN update

ED32080

etched

1/32

F-4 Engine exhausts

3219

resin

1/32

F-4E Cockpit set for Tamiya kits

EBIG3202

etched

1/32

F-4E Comprehensive detailing set

3243

resin

1/32

F-4D Cockpit set for Tamiya kit

EBIG7203

etched

1/72

F-4E Comprehensive detailing set

EBIG3234

etched

1/32

F-4D Comprehensive detailing set F-4C Comprehensive detailing set

CUTTING EDGE

32023

resin

1/32

F-4E conversion set for Tamiya kit

EBIG3233

etched

1/32

4855

resin

1/48

F-4C/D Seamless intakes for Hasegawa kits

EBIG4813

etched

1/48

F-4G Comprehensive detailing set

32153

resin

1/32

ALO-71 Jammer Pods

EBIG4809

etched

1/72

F-4E Comprehensive detailing set

1/48

Late-style Phantom exhausts

FHGS3203

resin

1/32

F-4E/F/GAirframe set

EAGLE DESIGNS

48CK06

FLIGHT PATH

resin

PARAGON DESIGNS

48086

resin

1/48

F-4 Flaps

32010

resin

1/32

Martin Baker Mk 7 Ejector seats

OB48004

resin

1/48

Ejector seats

OB72011

resin

1/72

Ejector seats USAF Wheels, weighted

QUICKBOOST

TRUE DETAILS

Aires Phantom exhausts

Airwaves canopy set

Aires 1/48 ejector seats

Aires 1:48 wheel bay set

48043

resin

1/48

72415

resin

1/72

Marin Baker Mk 7 ejector seats

48516

resin

1/48

F-4C Cockpit set Martin baker Mk 7 ejector seats

VERLINDEN

Aires F-4C Phantom set

Eduard engine exhaust set

Aires F-4D cockpit set

Eduard F-4E set

0373

resin

1/48

0510

resin

1/48

F-4E Update set for Hasegawa kit

1115

resin

1/32

Martin Baker Mk 7 ejector seats

1126

resin

1/32

RF-4C Cockpit for Revell kit

Quickboost1 /48 ejector seat

Eduard RF-4C detail set

Eduard RF-4C cockpit set

Appendix II • Accessories & Conversions

1231

Decals

APpendJII

Few USAF Units have been missed by decal manufacturers over the years, and new sheets continue to be added to the genre. Once again for the purposes of this Datafile we have only included those sheets in production at the time of publication. LEADING EDGE

AEROMASTER 48000

1:48

F-4C

F-4C 's over Vietnam part 2 (2)

7217

1:72

F-4G

Idaho ANG 'Last of the Weasels'

48763

1:48

F-4C

Early F-4C 's part 9 (4)

4817

1:48

F-4G

Idaho ANG 'Last of the Weasels'

48764

1:48

F-4C

Early F-4C 's part II (4)

3217

1:32

F-4G

Idaho ANG 'Last of the Weasels'

48473

1:44

F-4C

F-4C's over Vietnam part 3 (2)

SUPERSCALE

32006

1:32

F-4G & RF-4C

Phantoms in the Gulf War

72006

1:72

F-4G & RF-4C

3203

1:32

Various

3204

1:32

4803

1:48

7203 7204

481158

1:48

F-4C

480161

1:48

F-4C/E

USAFE (3)

Phantoms in the Gulf War

481030

1:48

RF-4C

192 TRS/165 TRS/67 RW (3)

USAF Phantoms in Germany #1

TWOBOBS

Various

USAF Phantoms in Germany #2

72048

1:72

RF-4C

No-Gun Shoguns

Various

USAF Phantoms in Germany # 1

72047

1:72

F-4C

First of the Weasels

1:72

Various

USAF Phantoms in Germany # 1

48114

1:48

F-4C

First of the Weasels

1:72

Various

USAF Phantoms in Germany #2

48050

1:48

QF-4G

Team Target

32022

1:32

F-4E

SEA Heroes (2)

1:72

F-4

UK Based Phantoms (15)

1:32

F-4E

JJ Jaws (3)

AIROOC

CAM DECALS 48045

1:48

F-4E

Thunderbirds

XTRADECAL

3206

1:32

F-4E

34 TFS/469 TFS Vietnam (2)

72072

171 st FIS William Tell 1984 (1)

lOTZ

EXPERTS CHOICE 4803

1:48

F-4E

4836

1:48

F-4E

32004

57 FIS Keflavik

4861

1:48

RF-4C

106 TRS/3247 Test (2)

7214

1:72

F-4E

163 TFS Blacksnakes (2)

7218

1:72

RF-4C

106th Recon Alabama ANG (1)

48150

1:48

F-4E

Vietnam Warriors (4)

~ •• I

48208

1:48

F-4E

Early USAF Phantom Stencils

-0- -0- ... •

48012

1:48

F-4

USAF Walkways

48024

1:48

F-4C/D

EAGLE STRIKE ~

••

'iii

­

~:o: o ~ ~

FOX ONE

1/'

~ D -u

~c:;:

::::1 0 =

Zoll Decals JJ Jaws sheet

Experts Choice Special RF-4C's

USAF Phantoms in Vietnam (8)

HI DECAL 48023

1:48

RF-4C/F-4E

USAF/IRIAF/Spanish

72053

1:72

RF-4C/F-4E

USAF/IRIAF/Spanish

ISRA ISRA37

1:48

F-4E

Complete set of stencils for 1 aircraft

ISRA36

1:72

RF-4C

Complete set of stencil s for 1 aircraft

ISRA39

1:32

F-4E

Complete set of stencils for 1 aircraft

--~--.-

Aeromaster 48-000 Phantoms over Vietnam

Aeromaster 48-763 Early Phantoms in Combat 9

Campro 3206 F-4E

Superscale 48-1158 William Tell F-4C

.;;

Aeromaster 48-473 Phantoms over Vietnam 3

Airdoc War Gulf Warriors

Aeromaster 48-765 Early Phantoms II

Isra Decals Stencils

Leading Edge 4817 Gulf War Warriors - -.•..:::..'=:..~- : -..

• -.;:.;;;.,....e

~ :-~ ,;;;".

,

. ~~ ~ - :: ...-:--:::~-, .~o =.

If"

'--;;:oiE'"

.--~ -~ --

If"

---- - TwoBobs 72-047 'First of the Weasels'

1124

Appendix III - Decals

TwoBobs 72-048 'No-Gun Shoguns' RF-4C

TwoBobs 48-050 Team target OF-4G

Eagle Strike 48-208 Stencil sheet

Two Bobs 32-022 SEA Heroes F-4e

Fox One 48-024 SEA Phantoms

USAF F-4 Main Differences Engines

Appendix

IV

RF-4C

F-4C

F-4D

F-4E

F-4G

J79-GE-15

J79-GE-15

J79-GE-15

J79-GE-17

J79-GE-1 7

No.7 Fuel Cell

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Ram Air Turbine

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Wing Fold

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Internal Gun

No

No

No

Yes

No

AN/APQ-99

AN/APQ-100

AN/APQ-109

AN/APQ-120

AN/APQ-120

Intercept Computer

No

AN/APQ-157

AN/APQ-157 or 165

AN/APQ-1 20, LRU-1

AN/APQ-120, LRU-1

TISEO

No

No

No

Yes lrom 71-237 +

No

AN/ ALR-17 or AN/ ALQ-1 25

No

No

No

AN/APR-38A

AN/ALR-69 or -74

AN/ALR-69 or -74

No

No

Radar

Radar Receiving Set Radar Warning Receiver Radar Mapping Weapons Release Computer INS Set

AN/ALR-69

AN/APR-25 or -26 or AN/ALR-46 AN/APS-107 or AN/ALR-69

AN/ APQ-1 02 or AN/UPD-4 or 8

No

No

No

No

AN/ASQ-91 (+AN/ARN-92)

AN/ASQ-91 or AN/ARN-101 AN/ASQ-91 Mod or AN/ARN-101

AN/ASN-56 or AN/ARN-101

AN/ASN-48

AN/ASN-63

AN/ASN-63 or AN/ARN-101

AN/ASN-63 or AN/ARN-101

Leading Edge Slats

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Slotted Tail

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Length

62.9 ft

58.2 ft

58.2 ft

62.9 ft

63.0 ft

Wingspan

38.4 It

38.4 It

38.4 It

38.4 It

38.4 It

Height

16.5 ft

16.5 ft

16.5 ft

16.5 ft

16.5 It

Empty Weight

28,5461b

28,5391b

28,8731b

30,328 1b

30,3001b

Max Take-Off Weight

58,0001b

59,6891b

59,4831b

61,795 Ib

61 ,7951b

AIM-9 Sidewinder

4

4

4

4

4

AIM-7 Sparrow

No

4

4

4

4

AGM-65 Maverick

No

No

Block 30 +

Yes Block 36 +

Yes

Pave Spike Sensor

No

No

Block 30 +

From 67-342 Upwards

No

Pave Tack Sensor

From Block 37 +

No

No

From Block 48 +

Yes

ECM Pod

Yes

Blocks 16 - 24

Yes

Yes

Yes

AN/ALE-40 Chaff & Flares

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

'E's and 'D's combine for a raid I