Modeller's Datafile Number 13

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
A Comprehensive Guide

Part 2: US Navy and Marine Corps Variants

by Andy Evans
 

SAM Publications

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

 
Modeller's Datafile Number 13 is available online from Squadron.com

If you have not seen one of the SAM Publications Modellers Datafile books before you are in for a treat.  This title is but one of many offered by the UK based company SAM Publications and they are specifically designed for the modeller.

The books give the novice as well as the hard-bitten enthusiast a complete run down on the featured aircraft including in-depth details and photographic coverage that spans gestation, production and operational use as well as a guide to modelling the aircraft.

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A visit to the Modellers Datafile page of the SAM Publications webpage at http://www.sampublications.com/sampubs.htm reveals that there are three volumes in covering the F-4.  This is good news as the F-4 has a long and distinguished history and trying to fit it all in one volume would have been detrimental to the coverage as well as cost prohibitive for the buyer!  This volume covers the F-4 in use by the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.

The contents are logically laid out in as much as it covers the F-4 from its inception right through to its use as a target drone

Following an introduction and a glossary, the contents include:

• Chapter 1  -   F4H-1 – F-4A – Genesis of the Breed.

• Chapter 2  -   F-4B – First of the Phantoms

• Chapter 3  -   RF-4B – Marines Photo Phantoms

• Chapter 4  -   F-4J – The Navy and Marines Workhorse

• Chapter 5  -   F-4N – The re-worked F-4B

• Chapter 6  -   F-4S – The Final Seaborne Phantom

• Chapter 7  -   QF-4B/N/S – Drone Phantoms

• Chapter 8  -   Vietnam – Phantoms in Vietnam

• Chapter 9  -   Flying – Flying the Phantom at Sea

• Chapter 10  -  Phantoms and Angels – The US Navy Demonstration Team

• Chapter 11  -  Black Bunny – All-Black Colour Scheme

• Chapter 12  -  F-4 Operators – Squadrons listing

• Chapter 13  -  Modelling the Phantom – F-4J in 1/32, F-4J Diamondback in 1/48, F-4J VMFA-235 in 1/48, F-4S VF-301 in 1/48, QF-4N Drone in 1/48, F-4J VF-194 in 1/48, F-4J Mig Killer in 1/48, and RF-4B Conversion in 1/32 scale.

Appendices

• I Kit Listing  -  A guide to Phantom kits

• II Accessories and Conversions  -  Add-ons and enhancements

• III Decals  -  Available liveries for the Phantom

• IV Bibliography – A concise list of books, journals and periodicals

You are also treated to and index, eight pages of colour side profiles (by David Howley) and a fold-out of 1/72 scale drawings (also by David Howley).

The book is profusely illustrated throughout with both full colour and black and white images including walk-arounds (with most chapters as appropriate) as well as overall shots.

The book is A-4 in size, softbound and consists of 128 pages in all.

Basically, this book is a “one-stop shop” for modellers and represents great value of money as far as I am concerned.

Thanks to SAM Publications for the review sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2009 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 2 March, 2009
Last updated 2 March, 2009

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