The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

Now that's what I call authentic research!

When I worked 260 she was a hard wing aircraft without the strip lights.  She carried the ED tail code in white, the TAC badge was painted over, and Crew Chief/Pilots/WSO/ACC was painted over.  On the inside of the main nose gear door, the name "Too Sick Oh" was painted in black letters.  All other markings were standard SEA.

This is what's left from my 1/48 scale Hasagawa kit after a hurricane came through and sent a tree limb through the modeling room.

Hello, a question for those in the know about Navy phantoms....  I have the Hasegawa kit of the VX-4 Bicentennial scheme.  It says it is a "J" model.  But all of the photos I can find of the real plane show it having the ir sensor under the nose.  Some say it is a "J", and some say it is a "B".  The Hase kit has the Ir sensor, but thick wings.  The bu# is 153088 on the kit.  Any help on this would be most appreciated.

Cheers,

Greg

berny13

Sparrowhyperion:

Well, as luck would have it.  this kit can be built as a D as well.  I'll see what I can come up with for decals and markings.

Rich

 

berny13:

 

 

I never was a crew chief on the C model.  I went from the RF-4C in Nam to the F-4D in Thailand.  From there to the 2952 CLSS at Hill AFB where I spent the next year and a half traveling all over SEA repairing battle damaged F-4's.  Then to Eglin AFB, FL on the F-4E, to Zaragoza AB Spain where I worked in QC on the F-4.  My next F-4 assignment was Kadina AB, Okinawa, Homestead AFB, FL, both on the F-4D.  From there to Spangdahlm AB Germany on the F-4E/G and finally to George AFB, CA on the F-4E.  The last aircraft I was Crew Chief on was F-4E 69-260 at Eglin AFB, but only for a very short time as by then I was a TSgt and became more of a supervisor than a mechanic.

 

 

In Udorn Thailand I was with the 432th TRW, 13th TFS.  At Kadena AB I was assigned to the 18 TFW, 25th TFS/AMU and at Homestead AFB I was with the 31 TFTW, 308th TFTS/AMU.   

13th TFS tail code OC, ZZ at Kadena and ZF at homestead 

Hi Berny,

What years were you at Kadena?  Our family was stationed at Kadena between 1962 and 1965.  My Dad was in the 18th Organizational Maintenance Squadron.

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

berny13:

Sparrowhyperion:

Well, as luck would have it.  this kit can be built as a D as well.  I'll see what I can come up with for decals and markings.

Rich

 

berny13:

 

 

I never was a crew chief on the C model.  I went from the RF-4C in Nam to the F-4D in Thailand.  From there to the 2952 CLSS at Hill AFB where I spent the next year and a half traveling all over SEA repairing battle damaged F-4's.  Then to Eglin AFB, FL on the F-4E, to Zaragoza AB Spain where I worked in QC on the F-4.  My next F-4 assignment was Kadina AB, Okinawa, Homestead AFB, FL, both on the F-4D.  From there to Spangdahlm AB Germany on the F-4E/G and finally to George AFB, CA on the F-4E.  The last aircraft I was Crew Chief on was F-4E 69-260 at Eglin AFB, but only for a very short time as by then I was a TSgt and became more of a supervisor than a mechanic.

 

 

In Udorn Thailand I was with the 432th TRW, 13th TFS.  At Kadena AB I was assigned to the 18 TFW, 25th TFS/AMU and at Homestead AFB I was with the 31 TFTW, 308th TFTS/AMU.   

13th TFS tail code OC, ZZ at Kadena and ZF at homestead 

 

Hi Berny,

What years were you at Kadena?  Our family was stationed at Kadena between 1962 and 1965.  My Dad was in the 18th Organizational Maintenance Squadron.

Ken

I was there from 1977 through 1980.  I was in the 18th Aircraft Generation Squadron (AGS), 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU).

Gregbbear

Hello, a question for those in the know about Navy phantoms....  I have the Hasegawa kit of the VX-4 Bicentennial scheme.  It says it is a "J" model.  But all of the photos I can find of the real plane show it having the ir sensor under the nose.  Some say it is a "J", and some say it is a "B".  The Hase kit has the Ir sensor, but thick wings.  The bu# is 153088 on the kit.  Any help on this would be most appreciated.

Cheers,

Greg

Check out this site below.  It explains why it has the F-4B radome.

http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Rundberg/4097.htm

berny13

Son Of Medicine Man:

berny13:

Sparrowhyperion:

Well, as luck would have it.  this kit can be built as a D as well.  I'll see what I can come up with for decals and markings.

Rich

 

berny13:

 

 

I never was a crew chief on the C model.  I went from the RF-4C in Nam to the F-4D in Thailand.  From there to the 2952 CLSS at Hill AFB where I spent the next year and a half traveling all over SEA repairing battle damaged F-4's.  Then to Eglin AFB, FL on the F-4E, to Zaragoza AB Spain where I worked in QC on the F-4.  My next F-4 assignment was Kadina AB, Okinawa, Homestead AFB, FL, both on the F-4D.  From there to Spangdahlm AB Germany on the F-4E/G and finally to George AFB, CA on the F-4E.  The last aircraft I was Crew Chief on was F-4E 69-260 at Eglin AFB, but only for a very short time as by then I was a TSgt and became more of a supervisor than a mechanic.

 

 

In Udorn Thailand I was with the 432th TRW, 13th TFS.  At Kadena AB I was assigned to the 18 TFW, 25th TFS/AMU and at Homestead AFB I was with the 31 TFTW, 308th TFTS/AMU.   

13th TFS tail code OC, ZZ at Kadena and ZF at homestead 

 

Hi Berny,

What years were you at Kadena?  Our family was stationed at Kadena between 1962 and 1965.  My Dad was in the 18th Organizational Maintenance Squadron.

Ken

 

I was there from 1978 through 1980.  I was in the 18th Aircraft Generation Squadron (AGS), 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU).

Hi Berny,

Here is a scan of my Dad's squadron patch:

Ken

153088 was the 18th "real" F-4J(071 to 088 were parts of block 26 and 27), so thick wings, late engine exhausts, thick tires, all of those things would be on a model,,,,,,plus the B IR sensor under the nose, I don't see any notes about what might have been inside the fairing,,,,,,it might even have been still empty,,,,,,,the actual radome fit from a B to a J, and vice versa

the "it had it on there" part is still with us,,,,,,,but, the "why was it" part seems to have faded into history

the guy says testing,,,,that makes sense, but, it sure wasn't a prototype,,,,,,,,those 3 were still thin wing,,,,,,and the 18th production bird, not even close to a prototype

Happy Armed Forces Day!!

Hey Mike,

How about we dedicate this group build to Berny?

Ken

Credit for above:

http://www.aviation-history.com/mcdonnell/f4.html

Ken:

An eagle is carrying a broken aircraft to the helping hand?

Bockscar

Ken:

An eagle is carrying a broken aircraft to the helping hand?

Hi Dominic,

I have no idea.  The patch is worn so it is unclear what it is designating.  And unfortunately since my Dad has passed on, no way for me to ask.  If someone else happens to know, I would appreciate the answer as well.

Ken

Thanks for the info on the F-4J, Rex and Bern!  It seems Hase got it right! 

I made a small start on my F-4's.  Here are the kits.  I'm going with the kit markings for the "S", and the "J", but I am going with aftermarket VMF-531 decals for the "N".  The AM "J" came with some nice "S" markings for a retirement scheme (box art), but I am going to save those for a Hase S.

I made a little bit of progress on the cockpits.  I am using some Ed pe meant for the Hase, and some resin seats.  The Fujimi's need a lot of help!  They are sparse in detail to say the least.  The Monogram/AM is very nicely detailed.  I add some pe, but I think it is quite nice out of the box.  They even have the correct rear panel and console-less sides.,

Cheers,

Greg

Why is it I can never find a decent G model 1/48 kit when I look for one...  Oh well, back to eBay..

Berny, I don't suppose you know the FSA numbers for the paint job on your old 69-260 bird?

Rich

Sparrowhyperion

Why is it I can never find a decent G model 1/48 kit when I look for one...  Oh well, back to eBay..

 

Berny, I don't suppose you know the FSA numbers for the paint job on your old 69-260 bird?

Rich

FS34079, (Dark Green), FS34102, (Forest Green),FS30219, (Dark Tan), FS36622, (Light Gray).

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Thanks!  I’m searching online to see if I can find someone who has a good image of the squadron emblem.   It shouldn’t be too hard to find.

Rich

Sparrowhyperion

Why is it I can never find a decent G model 1/48 kit when I look for one...  Oh well, back to eBay..

 

Berny, I don't suppose you know the FSA numbers for the paint job on your old 69-260 bird?

Rich

Rich;

I have a G, Hasegawa 1/48 Wild Weasel, missing the 'open' canopy parts, closed is still accounted for.

You might be able to talk me out of. Drop me a line.

Son Of Medicine Man

Hey Mike,

How about we dedicate this group build to Berny?

Ken

You got it Ken! I agree 100%. Sorry for the delay, I just got back from a weekend away and am catching up with the board action.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Sparrowhyperion

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Thanks!  I’m searching online to see if I can find someone who has a good image of the squadron emblem.   It shouldn’t be too hard to find.

 

Rich

The wing patch is the same except back then it was Tactical Fighter Wing.  The squadron patch read Tactical Fighter Squadron.

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Thank you Berny!  You saved me hours of looking.  Beyond the squadron and wing logo, were there any other unique markings, or was it just standard SEA camo?

Rich

My jet was a hard wing E model when I was at Eglin AFB.  The reason I named it "TOO SICK OH" was because it was a hanger queen.  Stateside, I was lucky to get two flights a week out of it.  She spent more time in the hanger on jacks with a landing gear problem, or in the nose docks with a radar problem, or in a hanger with flight control problems than she did flying.  The aircraft was last chance spare when we deployed for Linebacker.  I was on the advance team and when I saw her taxi in, I knew it was going to be a long TDY.  During the six months we were deployed she only had two flights where she came in broke.  The first was with a radio problem and the second time when Steve Ritchie flew it and wrote up every thing but the paint job.  All other times she landed Code 1.  She flew two missions a day, six or seven days a week.  On the trip home she landed at Eglin AFB on an "In Flight Emergency" (IFE) with a generator out.  She turned back into a hanger queen.  I left shortly after we returned and was sent to Spain.

When the squadron deployed to Linebacker ll, 260 lead the unit in.  Again she proved to be a fighter and continued to fly almost everyday.  I suppose she was a warrior and not suited peace side training flights.  

Sparrowhyperion

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Thank you Berny!  You saved me hours of looking.  Beyond the squadron and wing logo, were there any other unique markings, or was it just standard SEA camo?

Rich

The wing patch was on the right intake, squadron patch on the left.  The shark mouth was painted on almost all of our jets before departure to Thailand for Linebacker.  Top fin cap was all dark blue but I wouldn't be able to tell you the FS number.  As I said before the TAC patch on the tail was painted out and so were all names on the canopy.  The lower part of the canopy frames was the same blue as the fin cap.  All other markings were standard SEA camo. 

Sounds like a great idea!

Thunderbolt379

 

Son Of Medicine Man:

 

Hey Mike,

How about we dedicate this group build to Berny?

Ken

 

 

You got it Ken! I agree 100%. Sorry for the delay, I just got back from a weekend away and am catching up with the board action.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

berny13

Sparrowhyperion:

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Thank you Berny!  You saved me hours of looking.  Beyond the squadron and wing logo, were there any other unique markings, or was it just standard SEA camo?

Rich

 

The wing patch was on the right intake, squadron patch on the left.  The shark mouth was painted on almost all of our jets before departure to Thailand for Linebacker.  Top fin cap was all dark blue but I wouldn't be able to tell you the FS number.  As I said before the TAC patch on the tail was painted out and so were all names on the canopy.  The lower part of the canopy frames was the same blue as the fin cap.  All other markings were standard SEA camo. 

Hi Berny,

Since I am already doing an "E" model with the hard wing, would you mind if I changed mine to the "260"?

Ken

Thanks.  That helps a lot.  Exactly where in the landing gear bay did you paint Too Sick Ooh?

Rich

berny13

 

Sparrowhyperion:

 

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Thank you Berny!  You saved me hours of looking.  Beyond the squadron and wing logo, were there any other unique markings, or was it just standard SEA camo?

Rich

 

 

The wing patch was on the right intake, squadron patch on the left.  The shark mouth was painted on almost all of our jets before departure to Thailand for Linebacker.  Top fin cap was all dark blue but I wouldn't be able to tell you the FS number.  As I said before the TAC patch on the tail was painted out and so were all names on the canopy.  The lower part of the canopy frames was the same blue as the fin cap.  All other markings were standard SEA camo. 

Sparrowhyperion

Thanks.  That helps a lot.  Exactly where in the landing gear bay did you paint Too Sick Ooh?

Rich

 

berny13:

 

Sparrowhyperion:

 

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Thank you Berny!  You saved me hours of looking.  Beyond the squadron and wing logo, were there any other unique markings, or was it just standard SEA camo?

Rich

 

 

The wing patch was on the right intake, squadron patch on the left.  The shark mouth was painted on almost all of our jets before departure to Thailand for Linebacker.  Top fin cap was all dark blue but I wouldn't be able to tell you the FS number.  As I said before the TAC patch on the tail was painted out and so were all names on the canopy.  The lower part of the canopy frames was the same blue as the fin cap.  All other markings were standard SEA camo. 

 

Hi Rich,

Berny put a picture of his model of 260 on page 113 of this group build showing the location.

Ken

berny13

My jet was a hard wing E model when I was at Eglin AFB.  The reason I named it "TOO SICK OH" was because it was a hanger queen.  Stateside, I was lucky to get two flights a week out of it.  She spent more time in the hanger on jacks with a landing gear problem, or in the nose docks with a radar problem, or in a hanger with flight control problems than she did flying.  The aircraft was last chance spare when we deployed for Linebacker.  I was on the advance team and when I saw her taxi in, I knew it was going to be a long TDY.  During the six months we were deployed she only had two flights where she came in broke.  The first was with a radio problem and the second time when Steve Ritchie flew it and wrote up every thing but the paint job.  All other times she landed Code 1.  She flew two missions a day, six or seven days a week.  On the trip home she landed at Eglin AFB on an "In Flight Emergency" (IFE) with a generator out.  She turned back into a hanger queen.  I left shortly after we returned and was sent to Spain.

When the squadron deployed to Linebacker ll, 260 lead the unit in.  Again she proved to be a fighter and continued to fly almost everyday.  I suppose she was a warrior and not suited peace side training flights.  

She sounds like one of those 'hi maintenance' types that lives only for performance, all the rest of the time they are in re-hab!

Lookie what I found on eBay!!!

All I need are some white number stencils now.  It's amazing what you can find over there if you just look enough.

Rich