This started life as an F-4B/N but some Navy B's were converted to G's with with an automatic landing system and painted medium green over white. From my understanding the only visual difference was a hatch on top of the fusalage behind the canopy but I can't find a pic to duplicate it. There were also some extra switch boxes and indicators on the rear instrument panel, again no pics for reference. Very little weathering but may add some later as my weathering skills grow. Here's some more info:
Twelve F-4Bs were modified as F-4Gs (a Navy designation, not to be confused with the USAF F-4G, which was a Wild Weasel aircraft). The Navy F-4G was a version modified for the evaluation of the feasibility of automatic carrier landing operations. These twelve aircraft were flown by VF-213 from the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63). They operated in the Gulf of Tonkin from November 1965 until June of 1966. One was lost to North Vietnamese AAA, but the others were later brought back to F-4B standards.
Here's some pics. Cloudy day so I'm using artificial light. Planning some sun-lit pics this weekend.
Daywalker wrote:That is a color scheme you don't see often... very cool looking though. I'll be looking for those other pics later.
The dark camo patterned Navy aircraft was a very short lived experiment. It reduced visibility so much on the carrier deck for deck handlers they cancelled the project. Only a hand full of aircraft were used including A-6s, A-5s, A-4s and F-4s which were painted this way.
I talked to one pilot who flew the A-5, he said it was supposed to help reduce visibilty by enemy fighters at night while they did their low level penetrations over the North. He didn't like it much and the risk to deck personnel was too great so he was glad it ended before it was implimented fleet wide.
Yep, one reason I chose it, haven't seen it before. Here's some more pics in better light. Sure the flaws will show up now.
Great colour scheme. New to me and looks sweet.
...Guy