Milestone Phantoms

Iliad Design, 1/48

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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Iliad Design, the Ottawa, Canada based producer of books, decals and aircraft colour charts has recently released two new decal sheets. 

The first of these new releases is 48022 Milestone Phantoms and it provides markings for six Mc Donnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs.  The decals are not just for any old F-4 though the markings provided on this sheet replicate those worn by the 1000th, 2000th, 3000th, 4000th, 5000th produced F-s as well as and number 5,067, the final F-4 built in the United States.

Details of the individual options are as follows:

• The 1000th, an F-4B, Bureau number 152276 which was turned over to the U.S. Navy on 7 July 1965.  This machine was finished in FS36440 light gull grey upper surfaces over FS17875 insignia white undersides and control surfaces with the lettering 1000th PHANTOM in red on the starboard side of the nose.

• The 2000th, an F-4D, serial number 66-7533 which was delivered to the United States Air Force on 12 March 1967.  It was finished in the then standard South East Asia scheme consisting of a disruptive pattern camouflage scheme of FS30219 tan, FS34102 medium green and FS34902 dark green on its upper surfaces over FS36622 light grey undersides.  The lettering 2000th PHANTOM is worn on the port side of the nose in white.

• The 3000th, an F-4J Bureau number 155772 delivered to the U.S. Navy on
  5 September 1968.  It wears the FS 36440 light gull grey upper surfaces over FS 17875 insignia white undersides and control surfaces scheme with the lettering 3000th PHANTOM in black on the both sides of the nose.

• The 4000th, an F-4E serial number 69-7294 delivered to the United States Air Force on 1 February 1971.  It is in the South East Asia scheme consisting of a disruptive pattern camouflage scheme of FS30219 tan, FS34102 medium green and FS34902 dark green on its upper surfaces over FS36622 light grey undersides.  The lettering 4000th PHANTOM is worn on the port side of the nose in white.

• The 5000th, an F-4E serial number 77-0290 completed on 24 May 1978.  This F-4 differed from its stable mates in that it sported a special two-tone blue and white paint scheme that featured the flags of all the nations that were flying the F-4 at that time as well as large 5000th PHANTOM in red on both sides of the nose.

• The 5,067th and final F-4 built in the United States, an F-4E serial number
  78-0744 which was completed on 25 October 1979.  It was finished in the Compass Ghost Scheme comprising a disruptive pattern of FS36375 light ghost gray and FS36320 dark ghost grey.  The lettering No 5057 LAST ST. LOUIS BUILT PHANTOM is worn on the left hand side of the nose in white.

There is no advice as to who the decals themselves were printed by but they are very well done indeed.  They are thin and have an absolute minimum of carrier film surrounding each subject.  The register is spot on too even for the details within the flags for the final option.

Two sets of national insignia are provided for the U.S. Navy options, a single set for the two SEA finished United States Air Force options and a single “borderless” set is provided for the 5057th option.  Missing though are the NAVY titles for the fuselage sides of the two U.S. Navy options

Stencil data is confined to rescue placards/arrows and ejection seat triangles only.

The placement guide is a single A-4 size page.  It shows full colour side profiles of each option on the front and full colour plan views of each option on the back.  The individual details of each option are fully explained within the captions accompanying the profiles including the fact that the 5057th option was painted in non-FS shades and provides a closest match to the FS specified shades.

The decal sheet and placement guide come packed in a clear plastic zip lock bag.

This is an unusual sheet from Iliad Designs.  It provides you with excellent quality decals to enable you to replicate any of the “milestone” machines in the long F-4 production run.

Thanks to Iliad Design for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2011 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 4 August, 2011
Last updated 4 August, 2011

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