TimHepplestone Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Happy new year all. I've just acquired the Tamiya 1/32 Phantom F4j and am thinking of converting this to the UK version. I know that shortly after the Falklands war the UK bought 15 retired “off the shelf†F4j' s from the USAF. Any Phantom experts out there with advise on how much work would be involved to fo the conversation. Also any help sourcing RAF markings would be appreciated. Luca 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radub Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 (edited) Fine Art of Decals has a sheet for the UK J. Scroll down on this page: http://fineartofdecals.com/goodies/132-treasures/ In as far as I know, there were no major changes, only some antennas and sensors. The book "Phantom - Spirit in the Skies" shows where these changes were made. The book is worth having to make some sense of the many versions and changes. https://www.amazon.com/McDonnell-F-4-Phantom-Spirit-Skies/dp/1880588315 HTH Radu Edited January 2, 2018 by Radub Out2gtcha and TimHepplestone 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Hello, Out of my memory, the most visible changes were the sight scope added to the upper left side of the rear station instrument panel as well as the configuration of the belts of the Martin Baker seats. You may also add a gunpod on the central station. Keep also in mind the Tamiya AIM-9 missiles do not correspond to the type used by the F-4J(UK). You should get L/M type missiles (such as Zacto ones) if you want adding Sidewinders. Hth Thierry Luca and TimHepplestone 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomdriver Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Fine Art of Decals has a sheet for the UK J. Scroll down on this page: http://fineartofdecals.com/goodies/132-treasures/ In as far as I know, there were no major changes, only some antennas and sensors. The book "Phantom - Spirit in the Skies" shows where these changes were made. The book is worth having to make some sense of the many versions and changes. https://www.amazon.com/McDonnell-F-4-Phantom-Spirit-Skies/dp/1880588315 HTH Radu Amazon page does not exist... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radub Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Amazon page does not exist... That is because I did not use the "link" button when I wrote the address. I just pasted it in and the forum software "shortened" it to something useless. In any case, I only used the Amazon link because it was the first link in my Google search. You can Google "Phantom Spirit in the Sky" and the book should show up. Radu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 That is because I did not use the "link" button when I wrote the address. I just pasted it in and the forum software "shortened" it to something useless. Actually, it's because there is a trailing space at the end, invalidating the URL. Remove that, and it's good. https://www.amazon.com/McDonnell-F-4-Phantom-Spirit-Skies/dp/1880588315 Kev TimHepplestone and LSP_K2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunwinglow Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRITISH-PHANTOMS-HISTORY-Royal-Air-Force-Aircraft-NEW-Planes-F-4J-RAF-Volume-5-/351921009637?_mwBanner=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wunwinglow Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aeroguide-25-Squadron-McDonnell-Douglas/dp/0946958327 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chek Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 (edited) I corresponded about F-4J(UK) ZE359, which is now on display at Duxford as US Navy F-4J 155529 AJ-114 of VF-74 from the USS America with Michael France, one of the volunteer team at Duxford. Although on the way to being F-4S conversions (DECM intake shoulder antennae and lo-voltage formation lights fitted) they remained standard F-4Js in all other respects, such as no staggered ACS outlet vents either side of the nose gear bay, and the port side mid canopy periscope sight. Note that two styles of sight were in use - one with a tubular body, and one with an angled rear. Edited January 3, 2018 by Chek TimHepplestone 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimHepplestone Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Fine Art of Decals has a sheet for the UK J. Scroll down on this page: http://fineartofdecals.com/goodies/132-treasures/ In as far as I know, there were no major changes, only some antennas and sensors. The book "Phantom - Spirit in the Skies" shows where these changes were made. The book is worth having to make some sense of the many versions and changes. https://www.amazon.com/McDonnell-F-4-Phantom-Spirit-Skies/dp/1880588315 HTH Radu Thanks, have just ordered the decal sheet from their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Out of my memory, the most visible changes were .... the configuration of the belts of the Martin Baker seats. I seem to recall that the F-4J(UK) retained US-configuration seats, necessitating wearing of US Navy flying equipment. Read this is some boy's-own magazine back in the day, Flight or Aeroplane or similar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Williams Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 I seem to recall that the F-4J(UK) retained US-configuration seats, necessitating wearing of US Navy flying equipment. Read this is some boy's-own magazine back in the day, Flight or Aeroplane or similar... I believe they did for a while, but were eventually refitted with British Mk. 7s thierry laurent 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamF Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 In 1982/3 I was a Sapper there helping to build the new airport and our job was to blast rock from a quarry right next to Stanley airport, the Phantom hangers built by my squadron were literally next door, the dust created by us used to play havoc. We were shown around at one point, the markings were particularly minimal from what I remember, A lot of missions seem to be at night and we used to watch them take off while we were on our rock crushing machines. Graham TimHepplestone 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chek Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 (edited) You may be confusing your Phantom types, Graham. All 23 Sqn's 1435 Flt. aircraft that were sent to the Falklands were RR Spey powered FGR2s. The ex-USN GE J79 powered F-4J(UK)s were all operated by 74 Sqn. at Wattisham, with APC's at Deci probably being the limit of their foreign travels. The F-4J's were only ever a temporary stop-gap to maintain NATO commitments, and after entering service in 1984, were being phased out in favour of FGR2's being transferred to 74 Sqn by 1991 as the number of Tornado F3 squadrons increased. As a small but important chapter in the Phantom's history, it's a shame that Duxford's ZE359 couldn't have retained its black finned 74 Sqn scheme, and another F-4B or J (or both!) obtained to illustrate the equal importance of its long US Navy history. But apparently, some at times ludicrous self-imposed priorities such as 'duplication' take precedence in the UK's museums. Edited January 3, 2018 by Chek Luca 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony T Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Also delete catapult bridle hooks - the wells were there, but the hooks had gone. Always wished the VF-74 F-4J at Duxford's American Museum had the incorrect Airfix solid, joined-up lightning bolts of red on the spine. It is repainted the way it was during its 1972 WESTPAC on USS America and is the best preserved & restored Juliet I've encountered. Tony Luca 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now