Sheet:

Superscale 72-137; Fancy Phantoms

Units: See review

Price

$ Currently OOP. Sheet printed in the late 70s

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

One of the first sheets I ever fully used was this one on the F-4. The recommended kits were the ancient Hasegawa F-4J/E and the Revell F-4D. Of course, the modeler at the time was supposed to carve a new nose for the RF-4 version and backdate for the QF-4B but it was something we did as a matter of course. I used the Revell F-4E kit which I could find cheaply at the BX and carved noses for all of them. The end result was pleasing for me at the time, but something on which I look at horror nowadays!

Modern modelers have a wealth of ready to go F-4s to match these markings from ESCI, Italeri, Monogram and, of course, Hasegawa. This sheet provides all the unique markings as well as data and warning markings for two of the options. No insignia as Microscale was trying to sell insignia sheets and doing very well, I might add. This is a second hand sheet and missing the black anti-glare panel used on the RF-4.

Firs up is a QF-4B from the Naval Missile Command at Pt Mugu around that time. Overall International Orange with a touch of red added to it.

Next is 'Blue Bird' a camouflaged F-4J from VX-4. The colors on the upper side are listed as Medium Blue Green and Light Blue Green. It has a white underside.

Third is the prototype RF-4C in white uppers with Insignia Blue undersides. This is the Fly by Wire prototype and one could easily add the canards that were with the plane when it was retired. It now resides at the USAF Museum.

Finally one of the VX-4 'Black Bunny' aircraft. Overall glossy black for this one.

FS 595 equivalents for the odder shades are provided in a separate chart. If you like F-4s and can find this sheet, it is well worth seeking.

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