The mighty F-4 has become a staple in the aftermarket decal arena, much to the delight of this particular “Phantom Phreke”.

             This is one of the larger decal sets in terms of contents.  All the instructions are in full color. Illustrations include a full left side profile, partial right side profile, and 4 smaller views of the top & bottom of each a/c.  A brief painting description of each a/c is provided. The decals are on two sheets.  (A second sheet showing walkways and the other large letter markings is not shown, Ed) Both a/c can be done from this sheet, with only the smaller maintenance stenciling needing to come from another sheet.  Included is a set of formation lights for the F-4S. Hasegawa is the recommended kit.

             First up is an F-4B from VMA-115 “Silver Eagles” in the markings for the commander of MAG-15. The aircraft is in the gull gray over white scheme, but with the gray on the radome being a much darker shade than the gull gray on the rest of the aircraft.  The red, white, & blue stripes on the top of the tail are also on the top & bottom of each wingtip. This is one of the later production blocks of the F-4B, so it does have the RHAW fairing just above the rudder.  Noteworthy is the placement of the bureau number & type designation, which is just aft of the trailing edge of the wing, instead of being just ahead of the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizers.  The larger “MARINES” lettering is used on this a/c.  The large, triangle MAG-15 decal overlaps the fuselage walkway decals, so the walkway decals will have to be applied first. The crew chief’s name is on the left splitter plate instead of being on the nose gear door. Finally, note the placement of the “JOKER” decal on the upper fuselage just aft of where the walkway ends.

             The other a/c on this sheet is the specially marked F-4S from VMFA-321 “Hells Angles”, a reserve unit in the Washington D.C.area.  This was a retirement scheme worn on one of the units’ a/c, prior to converting to an F/A-18 unit in the very early 90s. This unit was the next to last F-4 unit in the Marine Corps. The aircraft was repainted in the gloss gull gray over white scheme, with the tail, spine, canopies, anti-glare panel, & upper radome in gloss insignia blue.  The upper surfaces of the flaps & aileron were gull gray, not gloss white, as you would expect in this scheme.  There are 50 individual white star decals that need to be applied to the gloss blue areas.  The thin blue stripes with the small white stars on the edge of the decal sheet are the stripes for the sides of the 600-gallon centerline fuel tank.

             The special markings include the Phantom Spook character on each side of the intake trunk, the names of certain people from the squadron (which are quite clear & can be read unaided), the Hells Angel’s mascot on each splitter plate, & the enlisted ground crews names on the nose gear door in old English.

             VMFA-115 became the first Atlantic coast F-18 unit in 1985.  VMFA-321 flies the Hornet out of NAF Andrews.

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