This particular sheet could very well be considered an 'alpha and omega' sheet as it covers the first and last USN squadron to operate the F-4 Phantom II. When the initial F-4A/B aircraft entered the fleet back in 1960, it was VF-121 that was chosen to be the first OCU or conversion squadron where crew and technicians were trained on the new aircraft. Last year (2004), the very last Navy F-4 unit said farewell to the F-4 when it sent their last aircraft, an F-4S, to the boneyard, ending 45 years of Navy F-4 operations. The USAF still operates the type as a drone.

The VF-121 aircraft is one that was operated near the end of it's time and is in the overall gloss gull grey scheme. This is an F-4J and as such uses the shorter RHAWS intake antennas as are used on the S version. As the Phantom fleet drew down, with the introduction of the F-14, VF-121 turned over all training to VF-101 on the east coast and was disestablished.

The other is from the last Phantom operator: VX-30 (formerly known as the NWTS - Naval Weapons Test Squadron). These folks operated QF-4s for the purpose of testing defenses and new equipment. This aircraft was painted in the Tactical Paint Scheme and was so weathered in the later years that it seemed to be one shade! This aircraft had no rear ejection seat, a common feature of drones as when they were piloted, only the front seat was usually manned. The red stripes go from the nose to the back of the canopy and outline the black areas there.

For kits, you have a ton, but most will pick the Hasegawa version and that is what the decals have been sized for.

February 2005

Review copy courtesy of . Thanks for your support.