Fleet Phantoms IV
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! You can read the review of Fleet Phantoms III

Fleet Phantoms IV 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 latest sheet covers Navy Phantoms on Westpac and Med cruises from 1962 through 1973.

All five subjects 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. One has the anti-glare panel extended over the top of the entire radome.  A nice array of colorful tails and unit makings add visual interest.

The four F-4B aircraft covered are:

• “Screaming Eagle 103”, VF-51 Screaming Eagles, 1972 WestPac cruise, USS Coral Sea

• “Switchbox 201”, VF-151 Vigilantes, 1972-3 Westpac Cruise, USS Midway

• “Rock River 101”, VF-161 Chargers, 1966 Westpac Cruise, USS Constellation

• “Camelot 100” VF-14 Tophatters, 1968 Med Cruise, USS John F Kennedy

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

• “Devil 101”, VF-74 Bedevilers, 1962 Med Cruise, USS Forrestal

The last two aircraft have fin tops not included in the kit, one plain and one with a rearward facing RHAW antenna. They identify a few manufacturers that make aftermarket conversion parts, if you wish to build one of these aircraft.

Two large sheets of decals, measuring 8.5” by 12”, make up this impressive set. The first sheet contains all the specific markings for the five featured 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!

The decals are perfectly registered, sharp, opaque, and thin. Par for the course, being printed by Cartograf.

The instructions comprise five well printed full color pages that offer 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 three-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!

This looks like a very well researched decal set. There an extensive list of acknowledgements.   It’s quite exhaustive. Lots on manufacturers skip over the stencils these days, as it’s a lot of work, but not Bullseye. Kudos to them for an excellent sheet of decals to support what is surely be a Phantom 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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