In the “Can’t get enough Phantom’s” category comes this post-Desert Storm set of two F-4Gs and one F-4E from Superscale.  This sheet is really nice as the subjects are popular, the register is excellent, and the scale is just right for a really phabulous Phantom kit just waiting to be detailed!  The jets depicted are ‘pre-colorless’ though you can see the low-vis markings just starting to make there way into the norm there in the early 1990s.  Though these markings are pretty complete for the popular Hill II scheme, some stencils are missing and will have to come from other sources – F-4G nose radar stencils are noticeably missing from this set but the instructions show them.   Black wing walk markings will also need to come from another source or painted on by the experts!

 The sheet includes 1991 and 1992 markings for two F-4Gs of the 35^th and 52^nd Fighter Wings.  By August 17, 1990, 24 F-4G Advanced Wild Weasels from the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron and more than 1,062 personnel from George AFB had been deployed to the small island-nation of Bahrain just off the coast of Saudi Arabia.  As the deployment continued, the need for personnel and equipment grew. Soon another 24 Weasels from the 81st TFS (52nd TFW, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany), to form the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) joined the 561st.  This sheet also has an F-4E from 1992 of the 35^th FW but they did not participate in DS/DS.

 From top to bottom the markings are first, the 561^st FS Squadron Commander’s Wild Weasel s/n 69-7561 with the famous WW tail code.  It was later converted to a QF-4G.

  Next is F-4G s/n 69-0244 labeled as a 23^rd TFS Weasel from the 52^nd FW with the SP – for Spangdahlem – tail code.  I’m not sure about this but as indicated above, only the 81^st TFS/52^nd TFW deployed their Weasels to Bahrain.  The 23^rd deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey.  It may have been a straphanger from the 23^rd so I’d appreciate hearing from someone who was there.  This aircraft is named “Night Stalker.”  It too was converted to a QF-4G. (Editor's note, you can see from the photo that the aircraft did not carry the tail band while in theater) 

Lastly is the F-4E, s/n 68-0531, the Squadron Commander’s aircraft from the 20^th FS, ‘The Silver Lobos’, of the 35^th FW, with the GA – George AFB – tail code.  This E-model went to AMARC on 22 October 1997(Just days after this photo was taken on 3 October 1997. As you can see from the second photo below, it was painted as one of Richie and DeBellevue's ace-making F-4Es for a commemorative flight by the pair. It now sits on the display line at AMARC, Ed).

 This is a really nice, yet simple set for the last hurrah of active F-4Es and Gs.  I especially like the addition of the “AMU” (Aircraft Maintenance Unit) markings on the 35^th FW aircraft.  Always a nice touch in respect to the crew chiefs and maintainers for the wing.

  The decals and instructions are well made and there are plenty of views for accurately painting the Hill II scheme.  As always, check your references – that’s half the fun!

 Reviewed February 2003

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