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Phantom F4j conversion to UK version


TimHepplestone

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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.

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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 by Radub
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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

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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...

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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

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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

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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 by Chek
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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.

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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...

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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

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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 by Chek
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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

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