The 171^st Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 191^st FIG, Michigan Air National Guard flew the F-4C from 1978 to 1986 out of Selfridge ANG Base, MI before converting to the F-4D (1986-1989), then on to the F-16 Air Defense Fighter (ADF). Today the 171^st is an Airlift Squadron flying C-130s! Initially appearing during its F-106 Delta Dart era, the 171^st used the colorful, yellow and black "checkerboard" rudder and double-chevron design on all these fighters. The F-4Cs (I’ve never seen a picture of a 171^st F-4D) also had the checkerboard on the intake splitters. Only a couple of the F-16ADFs used the full-color markings however as the subdued, two-tone gray version of these markings was introduced. 

Specifically for the F-4Cs Expert’s-Choice has provided two, 1/48 scale decal sets – Nose Art No. 1 and No. 2 – which combined allow the builder to detail two of 19 versions of 16 different 171^st Phantoms! 48-32 has ten options and 48-40 provides nine. The same instruction sheet comes with both sets, and specifies that these decals are designed to fit the Hasegawa kit painted overall ADC Gray (FS 16473). Only one aircraft can be completed per set. Very few basic stencils are provided as these sheets concentrate on nose art and the basic unit markings. That being the case I would highly recommend Aeromaster’s Set 148-018, USAF F-4 Phantom Stencils. (See Scott’s write-up under the "Decal Reviews" section on this site.) Another option if you can find it is Microscale’s Sheet 48-67, F-4 Phantom Data.

Custom printed by Microscale and copyright 1992 by Bare-Metal Foil Company (www.bare-metal.com), these sheets emphasize the color of the 171^st during the F-4C era. Overall I would rate them as good. I have three small criticisms however. The upper, aft-fuselage walkway on both sets are slightly off register, the "Ejection Seat & Canopy" markings are barely legible on the warning triangles, and the nose art "Double Trouble" on 48-32 has the word double printed in black only. It should be yellow with black trim. Not too bad really! 

Since all but one aircraft serial numbers are from 1963 the tail number prefix decals are printed with that year and each sheet contains plenty of numerals to build the tail number of your choice. Two numeral "4s" are provided on 48-40 for the two different versions of 64-0707 – "I Don’t Take Defeat Lightly" or "Don’t Mess With The Kid." (The "4s" are on 48-32 as well but not needed for the nose art provided.) Some of the 171^st aircraft used numeric tail codes just above the exhausts during their careers as well so check your references for those, as they are not specified in the instructions. You can use the extra tail number decals for most aircraft as the appropriate tail code. By the way, two other aircraft have two versions of nose art. 63-7442 "Shadow Demon" is on 48-32, and "Baby" is on 48-40. 63-7666 "This One’s For You" is on 48-32 and "I Don’t Get Mad I Get Even" is on 48-40. Pilot and WSO names are included for three aircraft. 63-7534’s "Defiance II" crew is on 48-32. 63-7529’s "Trussst Me" crew and 63-7536’s "Cirano The Fearless" crew are on 48-40.

I highly recommend these sets and hope you don’t have as difficult a time as I am choosing which aircraft to detail your Air Defense Phantoms! The price listed for each set are Bare-Metal’s list prices but I’ve seen them for less elsewhere. I’d also recommend "USAF Fighter Interceptor Squadrons" by Peter R. Foster (Osprey Aerospace, 1994, ISBN 1 855324350) for some excellent background information including some tail codes, and photographs from William Tell 1982. If you get a chance be sure to visit the Selfridge Air Museum for a look at 63-7534 "Defiance II" currently on display.

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