What has really been needed are, of course, more F-4 Decal sheets. You know, one would think that in the last 30 years, every aircraft that has ever flown would have had decals done on it. Well, that really isn't exactly the case. I can think of a number of units and aircraft types that have no representation on a decal sheet (where's my VAQ-130 EKA-3B 1/72 decals???). However, the F-4 has been rather well represented, though the Marines just don't seem to have gotten the press that the Navy ones and even USAF jobbers have recieved. Guess that is because they have been mostly mud movers and not had the glamorous air-to-air missions of the USAF and Navy.

Well, this sheet rights some of those wrongs in 1/72 with three very nice markings for the F-4B and F-4J. Your choices of kits for the F-4J are pretty large. You have Hasegawa, Monogram and Fujimi all producing quality kits of this version of the Phantom. There are others, but these three are your best choices. For the F-4B, however, you are limited to the Fujimi kits if building from the box. Hasegawa does not offer a B, but it does produce an N in this scale. Simply backdating the N should be sufficient to give you a B and it isn't that tough.

In case you are freaking because of the shortness of the sheet, fear not, I'm just starting to show only the dedicated markings when it is possible. There are actually enough insignia and data markings for two of the aircraft. Fox 1 also provides mission information on each of the planes as marked on the sheet and in some cases offers alternate nose and serial numbers for a unit when possible.

First is a VMFA-122 F-4B. This is in the usual light gull grey over white, as are the other two aircraft. For this mission, the aircraft was equipped with three (!) gun pods, making for a lot of firepower.

The VMFA-542 F-4B is configured with 6 500lb Mk 77 napalm tanks on the centerline MER and three more on each wing's TER. Definitely enough to cook whatever it is dropped on!

Finally the lone F-4J from VMFA-212. This white-tailed Phantom is fitted with 6 500 lb on the centerline MER and two Mk 20 Rockeye cluster bombs on each wing station TER. For the uninitiated, MER is 'Multiple Ejector Rack' and holds up to six pieces of ordnance. The TER is 'Triple Ejector (or Ejection) Rack' and holds three items of ordnance.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how great the Fox One instruction sheet is. It is more than just a markings placement diagram, but a bit of a history lesson as well. If only others would be as well done.

Any of these schemes will look great on your next F-4. Just make sure that they look well used!

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