Sheet:

Superscale 72-065: USN F-4 Phantom II

Units: See Review

Price

$Long out of production

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

When Superscale/Microscale first started doing aftermarket decals, the F-4 Phantom II was at its height of popularity and success, being in front line service with all the US aviation arms save the Army and going strong overseas. Many of the first decal sheets that then-Microscale produced were for the F-4 and this one was the first. It covers three F-4Bs, all of them in the Light Gull Grey over White livery. Recommended kit would have been the Airfix version as it was the only really well done kit of the period. Of course, nowadays, it is considered poorly done or quaint, but one uses what is available! Today, there are fine early F-4s by Fujimi and Hasegawa in 1/72 and it is those kits that I'd recommend.

First up is an F-4B from VF-103 aboard the USS Kittyhawk. You may notice that Microscale had a senior moment and misspelled the name of the carrier!

Next is one of the Diamondbacks from VF-102, at the time aboard the USS Enterprise on the East Coast.

Finally, one of everyone's favorite squadron, VF-84. While no ship is noted, it did cruise aboard the USS Independence carrying these markings.

As with most of the early Microscale sheets, no insignia is provided. As a smart move with a sheet of this vintage, application of some decal film restorer wouldn't be a bad idea!

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