Speed Hunter Graphics 48011: USAF Gunfighter Phantoms

PRICE: $20.95
UNITS: USAF/ANG
REVIEWER: Scott Van Aken
NOTES: Eight Options

This Sheet from Speed Hunter Graphics is for one of my favorite aircraft, the F-4 Phantom II. In particular, this one covers those in service from the mid 1980s to around 1990 so there ais a nice mix of camouflage schemes. These include the wraparound SEA scheme, the Euro I scheme and the Hill Grey II scheme.

It is not surprising that a number of these planes are with ANG units as these were the folks who flew most of the F-4E models during this time period, the regular USAF units often transitioning to other types like the F-15 and F-16. Quite a few of these planes have special markings of some sort, mostly the 'boss birds' with the unit number or other markings on the fin.

I've a rather large collection of military aircraft slides from this time period, so have taken the opportunity to include photos from that collection. While I have photos of all the planes on the sheet, I don't have two of them in the exact markings shown so did not include those that were not identical to what's on the sheet.

Here are the sheet options:

1) 68-0378 141st TFG, New Jersey ANG, May 1988 *12 F-16 kills*

2) 68-0527 141st TFG, New Jersey ANG, November 1990 *108TFW flagship*

3) 72-0141 21TFS, 35th TFW, George AFB, CA, November 1990 *831st AD flagship*

4) 68-0424 181st TFG, Indiana ANG, May 1991, *one-piece windscreen/181TFG flagship*

5) 68-0345 131st TFG, Missouri ANG, August 1986 *one-piece windscreen*

6) 68-0450 68th TFS, 347th TFW, Moody AFB, GA, March 1983

7) 68-0318 68th TFS, 347th TFW, Moody AFB, GA, June 1987 *68TFS flagship*

8) 68-0531 122nd TFG, Indiana ANG, November 1988

The decals are superbly printed by Cartograf and the full color placement guide offers snippets of information on each of the subjects on the sheet. There are enough stencils for at least one aircraft with multiples of insignia and other bits. While no kit is specified, until Academy does an F-4E, most modelers will go with the Hasegawa offering in this scale. You'll notice that a few of the descriptions state 'one piece windscreen'. I know of no kit that includes this option, but it is easy enough to make from clear plastic sheet. Apparently about a dozen or so Phantoms were equipped with this option. 

March 2016

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Thanks to www.reidairpulishing.com for the review set. You can get yours at this link.

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