Unlike most Phantom sheets, this particular one is for the photo reconnaissance version. Both the USAF and USMC flew aircraft that were rather similar in design and performance. However, the USAF based theirs on the F-4C, while the USMC based theirs on the F-4B. Having said that, Phantom phanatics all know that the F-4C was a USAF F-4B so I could easily have said that they are both just about the same airframe.

Both served for a long time, even after the regular versions of the Phantom were no longer in service. Both were also the last dedicated recce platforms of both services. Since then, photo recce has depended on pods carried by either F-16s or F-14s. There may be a chance in the offing as the Marines have been testing a Hornet that has a dedicated recce nose. While this nose is supposed to be interchangeable, it would seem to me that it will probably be a rather permanent installation once it hits unit service.

Anyway, this sheet covers five recce birds; two USMC RF-4Bs and three USAF RF-4Cs. 

Since the Marines are more important, they are given first billing! (I'm sure to get mail on that one!). What we have are basically two aircraft from VMFP-3, that were based at El Toro, Ca. This base is by now an office park or housing development, I imagine.

The first aircraft is in overall light gull grey and is sporting low visibility markings. 

The second one is quite similar, but has a green tail with gold markings on it. Only the fuselage insignia, which are rather unusual, are given. Now I may be wrong about this, but I think the low vis insignia belong to the upper aircraft as it just doesn't fit in with the overall scheme. If anyone knows, please drop me a line.

The next three are all USAF. The first being a very plain and boring scheme with the only distinguishing marking being the last four of the serial near the fit tip.

Next is a Vietnam vet named 'Tumbleweeds' after a popular cartoon series of the same name that ran for years in the newspapers. This one, like the other three USAF aircraft is in the four color SEA scheme. I built this aircraft in 1/32 scale if you wish to see these markings on a kit.

Finally, a nice ANG RF-4C. The 160 TRS aircraft is painted up for a photo meet in Europe during the 1970s, and is complete with interesting additional markings and a zap or two.

What is missing from this sheet are nearly all the national insignia as well as a decent placement guide for them. I can't believe that the low-vis insignia shown on the sheet was only carried on the fuselage, nor can I believe there were only two of them. Obviously the persons credited with doing research either assumed that all users of the sheet would instinctively know what markings to use, would have photos of all the subjects, or did a poor job of providing that material to Microscale. It is also possible that Microscale just got lazy and didn't bother to put the info in the instruction sheet.

Despite these obvious glitches, it is a nice sheet and one that you will like. Now we need a decent 1/48 RF-4. The Testors/Italeri kit is all we have and it is woefully out of date! That is assuming you can find one!

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet! 

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has over 1,100 visits a day, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.