Microscale sheet 72-174 is one of the more difficult sheets to find, having been out of print for so long with interesting subjects to choose from.  Two call for the standard gull gray over white scheme used by the Navy until low-viz markings became the order of the day, while one was a special scheme to commemorate the United States’ 200^th birthday.  Both the regular line birds require “stars and bars” from another source, as they are not provided here.

The “Evaluators” of VX-4 operated Phantoms from 1972 until 1990.  This F-4J scheme is the most challenging of the three given, with a commemorative Bicentennial scheme requiring a lot of red, white, and blue painting that uses a separate painting guide on the instruction sheet.

With a history dating back to 1948 flying the Grumman Bearcat, the third aircraft represents a F-4J of VF-142.  This squadron flew F4U Corsairs after the Bearcat, then three McDonnell products in a row.  First came the Banshee, then the Demon, and finally, the Phantom II.  The squadron first received F-4Bs in 1963, which they took through four Vietnam deployments.  The newer F-4J model shown here arrived in 1969, and lasted until transitioning to the F-14A in 1974.  The “Gunfighters” disappeared in April 1995 after leading the transition into a combined fighter/strike role that has characterized the combat role of the Tomcat in the new millennium over both Afghanistan and Iraq.

One of the most recognizable paint schemes adorns the second aircraft- that of VF-111, the Sundowners.  Since their formation during World War II, the squadron flew a “greatest hits” list of naval aircraft- the Hellcat, Panther, Cougar, Fury, Tiger, and Crusader preceded the Phantom II.  This F-4B is the CAG bird from the squadron’s deployments aboard the USS Coral Sea during the Vietnam era, carrying the distinctive sharkmouth and rising sun decorations that flew with the squadron until its famous F-14s were retired in February 1995.  The Phantoms flew with the squadron until the Tomcats arrived in 1978 to carry on the proud traditions of the squadron.

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vx4.htm

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vf142.htm

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vf111.htm

December 2004

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