Everyone likes special schemes on planes. They add interest to things and often look very cool. Interestingly, there is a real difference in special schemes between the US and other countries when it comes to painting planes. In the US, the concentration is on a lot of detail that can be seen on the ground. Elsewhere, special paint schemes are very large and best portrayed by the plane in its element while in flight. I'm not sure just why that is, however, for my tastes, I prefer the broader, more simple and elegant European schemes to the very busy ones found on US planes.

However, I must also point out that European schemes are generally short lived and last for a very short time, though some make it up to a year before being removed. The US schemes tend to last much longer, generally as long as the plane has left in service with that unit. Two of the ones portrayed here are in this scheme now in the boneyard, nearly ten years after the planes have been retired.

This sheet offers three F-4s in special markings; two USAF and one USMC.

First in an RF-4C from the 106 TRS, Alabama ANG. This one celebrates the 75th anniversary of the squadron and is your typical busy scheme with lots of small markings on the plane.  The aircraft itself is in the standard Hill Grey II scheme.

Next is a stunning all gloss black scheme of one of several planes painted up for the disestablishment of VMFP-3 back in the early 1990s. It is an easy scheme to paint for those of you who like easy schemes. Though no insignia are given, there is a template provided to mask the area where the standard insignia will go. Personally, I'd have preferred to have the white-surround insignia included as doing things like this are not the easiest to accomplish correctly.

Finally, the 'farewell' scheme for the Phantoms of the 113 TFS, Indiana ANG. This has had some extra markings placed on the 'boss bird' for the unit. Most of the later ANG F-4Es were sent to Turkey or Greece to use as attrition replacements and I believe this is one of them.

Here is some interesting info on this last plane from Dave Cook, who helped to paint it:

"1.The names on the gun fairing should be in white, not black (note that I'm the second one down)
2.The background for the unit badge should be 36270,not 36118
3.The armament box on the left intake should be 36270,not black
4.The blue area on the nose gear door should be outlined in white, not borderless like the sheet has it."

This sheet courtesy of me and my collection.

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