Fleet Phantoms III
McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II

Bullseye Model Aviation, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Roy Sutherland

Bullseye Model Aviation has just released two new sheets designed specifically for the new Tamiya 1/48 McDonell Douglas F-4B Phantom kit.

The new Tamiya Phantom is everything you would expect from a recent Tamiya release. Flawless engineering, gorgeous detail and a fun, frustration free building experience.

The 60s and 70s were a very colorful time for US Navy aircraft, and these two sheets for the F-4Bs do not disappoint!

Fleet Phantoms III is the title of this new sheet, following on from Bullseye’s Fleet Phantoms I and II, released earlier and reviewed here. Fleet Phantoms III is the title of this new sheet, following on from Bullseye’s Fleet Phantoms I and Fleet Phantos II, released earlier and reviewed here.

This new sheet covers Navy Phantoms on Westpac and Med cruises from 1962 through 1973.

All aircraft are in the typical Navy Scheme of Gull Gray and White scheme, through the radomes are painted in either Black, White, Tan or Gull Gray. A nice array of colorful tails and unit makings add visual interest.

The four F-4B aircraft covered are:

• “Old Nick 201”, VF-111 Sundowners, 1973 WestPac cruise, USS Coral Sea

• “Gypsy 200”, VF-32 Swordsmen, 1972 Med Cruise, USS John F. Kennedy

• “Ripper 100”, VF-11 Red Rippers, 1971 Med Cruise, USS Forrestal

• “Felix 100” VF-31, Tomcatters, 1966 Med Cruise, USS Saratoga

And the last aircraft is an F-4H-1:

• “Diamond 102”, VF-102 Diamondbacks, 1962 Med Cruise, USS Enterprise

The last 2 aircraft have early standard fin tops, not included in the kit. They list a number of manufacturers that make aftermarket conversion parts if you wish to build one of these aircraft.

The set consists of two large sheets of decals measuring 8.5” by 12”. The first sheet contains all the specific markings for the 5 subject aircraft.

The second sheet consists of stars and bars (including wing markings split for the folded wing option), warning markings, walkways and an extensive set of stencils, all beautifully printed by Cartograf. There are a LOT of markings to be applied, so find a comfortable chair. You are going to be decaling for a while!

Being Cartograf, the decals are perfectly registered, sharp, opaque, and thin.

The instructions consist of 5 well printed full color pages that consist of port side profiles of each aircraft, with scrap wing, nose gear door, flap and other views as needed. Each aircraft is supported by a description of the aircraft and notes on specific features. There is also a large 3 view stencil application guide that covers all aircraft, and even features suggested weapon loadouts for Phantoms of the era for guys (like me) who don’t have a deep knowledge of the era. Great idea!

Based on the extensive list of acknowledgements listed in the instructions, this looks like a very well researched sheet. It is very complete. Lots on manufacturers skip over the stencils these days, as it’s a lot of work. Kudos to Bullseye for an excellent sheet of decals to support what is surely be a kit that will sell strongly for years to come.

Available from Sprue Brothers in the US and The 48ers overseas:

https://spruebrothers.com/search-results-page?q=bullseye+fleet+phantoms

https://the48ers.com/

Thanks to Bullseye Model Aviation for the sample.

Text Copyright © 2021 by Roy Sutherland
Images Copyright © 2021 by Bullseye Model Aviation
This Page Created on 22 December, 2021
Last updated 22 December, 2021

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