Sheet:

Aeromaster 72-179: Phancy Phantoms pt II

Units: See review

Price

$

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

All aircraft modelers like the Phantom II. Those that don't have serious psychological problems and should seek help at the first opportunity! ;o) 

This is the second Aeromaster USN F-4 sheet in 1/72 and covers a nice variety of aircraft. It is called Phancy Phantoms as they are all rather colorful as planes go. The modeler has a nice selection of kits that can be used for this sheet including the expensive Hasegawa ones, the less expensive Fujimi varieties and the even less expensive Revell/Monogram versions (assuming you can find them as they have become rather scarce). There are others, from ESCI and Italeri that make into nice models if you have them on hand.

This sheet has three aircraft and enough insignia to do all of them. If you want data markings, those will have to come from another source.

First is an overall gloss gull grey (FS 16440) F-4N from VF-154. Despite being a CAG bird, there are no multiple colors in the aircraft's markings.

Next is an F-4J from VMFA-312. This aircraft is in the Bicentennial scheme as noted by the red, white and blue squadron name on the spine of the plane. It makes for a colorful aircraft even without that additional dash of color. Of course, this scheme is not unique to Aeromaster as I did a Monogram F-4J using these markings from a Superscale sheet about 10-15 years back (see image below). As you can see, it is exactly the same plane!

The final scheme is from VF-74. This is also a CAG bird (again without the multiple colors) and is also a Bicentennial Scheme as noted by the rudder. As with the VMFA-312 plane, it is in the gull grey over white scheme that was standard for USN planes from the mid 1950's until the late 1970s/early 1980s.

A note on the sheet states that the decals were sized for the Hasegawa kit, but I'd be willing to be that they'd fit on others as well with little problem.

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