The F-4 Phantom is probably my most favorite aircraft of the modern era. Yes, it is ugly, and overpowered and makes too much noise and is out of front-line service with the American military, but it soldiers on quite effectively with a number of other Air Forces around the world.

Other than the F-4G Wild Weasel, the last to see large use with the USAF ANG and USMC was the RF-4. Repliscale's sheet 5031 in 1/48 scale is for three RF-4Cs of the 106 TRS, Alabama ANG when used in Desert Shield/Storm.  One is 64-044, which was lost during that conflict and the other two are 106TRS and 117TRW bosses birds. All three are painted in Hill Grey II scheme.

The other subject on the sheet is an RF-4B in special retirement scheme from VMFP-3 in overall gloss Gull Grey with multicolored fin stripes.

Building the RF-4B will take some kitbashing in 1/48 as there is no dedicated kit in this scale.  What will be needed is an Italeri RF-4C and Hasegawa F-4B/N.  The Navy RF-4 has thinner, high pressure tires than the USAF RF-4C, so has no wing bulges to accommodate the wider USAF wheels. The two ways to do this conversion are to swipe the wings and main gear from the Hasegawa kit or to chop the nose of the Italeri kit and graft it on the Hasegawa kit.  You'll also need the cockpit from the Hasegawa kit for the Navy cockpit or you can use one of the resin cockpits from various aftermarket suppliers. (Editors Note, June 2000: I have been informed that the 157xxx series of RF-4Bs do have the bulged wings/gear doors so at least that will make things a bit easier! Just graft the Italeri  RF nose to your favourite USN F-4J kit.)

It is odd that the Phantoms with the most longevity, the RF versions, have not had a really good kit produced of them in 1/48.  There are good kits in 1/72 by Hasegawa and Fujimi, and even a great 1/32 kit by Revell. It would be great if Hasegawa spent a few yen and produced for us a good RF-4B and RF-4C in 1/48!!