Turn your clocks back about 15 years. It is the early 1990s, and the F-4 Phantom II is being phases out of service. In fact, 1990 was the last 'good' year for the F-4. The Air National Guard, the USAF Reserves and the regular USAF were still operating the type Though the F-4C had gone to the boneyard, there were still F-4D/E/G units around as well as RF-4Cs. In the Navy, the F-4S was gone with only the Marines still operating the RF-4B, and that was about to end.

This sheet covers six different RF-4 aircraft. Two Marine RF-4Bs and four RF-4Cs of the 106 TRS/117 TRW. Yes, this was before the word 'Tactical' was removed from the unit designation on Air Force squadrons, and TAC still existed, though was soon to end.

The two RF-4Bs are later versions with the same bulged wings and wider gear of the Air Force versions. These are retirement schemes for in August of 1990, the last Navy/Marine recce unit, VMFP-3, disestablished. From now on, pictures were to be taken with pods (at least until around 2000 when an alternate camera nose for the F-18 was finally taken on charge by Marine units).

One of these aircraft is in the overall black scheme with white lettering and white outlined insignia. The other is in overall gloss light gull grey with a very colorful fin marking. The sheet provides the special markings and intake warning marks. The insignia are junk and need to be replaced. You see, the star in the insignia should be symmetrical and look normal no matter how you look at it. It isn't and is really messed up.

The other four aircraft are all Hill Grey II camo'd RF-4Cs from the 106 TRS, Alabama ANG. This unit had a lot of specially marked planes and also participated in Desert Storm. You get the Wing CO's bird, the Squadron CO's bird and two normally marked planes. -044 crashed during Desert Shield, killing its crew. -043 has some nose art that the others don't carry. Insignia on this sheet are OK as are the rest of the decals.

All in all, if you can find this sheet, it is worth seeking. Repliscale didn't last too long, but they did provide a number of interesting markings.

Review sheet courtesy of me.

February 2005