Who here doesn't like F-4 Phantoms?  I don't see any hands so you can all stay! Over the 30+ years that the F-4 served with the USN/USMC, it was one of the more colorful aircraft in the inventory. When the idea of painting aircraft in mostly grey tones to reduce visibility to the enemy occurred in the early 1980s, the F-4 was one of those types that had to bite the bullet and remove the color form their previously flamboyant schemes. 

This sheet gives a good representation of the interim camouflage where only the color was removed from the markings to the full TPS or Tactical Paint Scheme were markings were shrunk down considerably.

Though not the first aircraft on the sheet, the VF-154 F-4N is a good representative of the 'color removal' scheme. The aircraft itself was painted in overall light gull grey. All of the markings are the 'normal' size but without any color in them at all. The markings themselves are a very dark grey that is nearly black. Only a few warning markings have any color left in them.

Next in the color chain is the aircraft of VF-103. This squadron was one of the last fleet squadrons to operate the F-4. It is in full TPS scheme, but does have some color in the unit arrow on the tail. It is in yellow as is the yellow arrow for the travel pod, though I guess you could also add it to the centerline fuel tank.

The final aircraft on the sheet from VF-171 is almost devoid of unit markings. Only a tiny tail code is on the aircraft in addition to the nose number and unit name under the NAVY on the fuselage give it any character at all. Like the VF-103 aircraft, all the insignia are shades of grey and quite small.

Thankfully, it seems like these boring schemes are on the wane as the more modern types, while still in greys, have larger unit markings and at least a bit of color in them!

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet!!!

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