Phantoms of the Land:
USAF & ANG F-4 Phantoms

by Chris Banyai-Riepl

WARchive Photo Series, Vol. 3

Reviewed by John Miller

Let me say up front, I loves me some Phantom so I was quite jazzed about this new addition to the WARchive series by Chris Banyai-Riepl. Chris is no stranger to producing quality texts on aviation subjects having previously published books on the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, North American F-86D/L Sabre Dog and the U.S. Navy Centennial (1911-2011).

Most relevant to this review, Chris is a very good modeler with a modeler’s eye for detail shots.

This is readily apparent in the pictures provided in this book, which is based on an extensive collection of aviation images taken by his father, Will A. Riepl.

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The book is filled with quality, never-before-seen pics of USAF and ANG F-4’s in various liveries. In addition to the beautiful photography, the book brims with awesome detail shots that are perfect for the modeler.

The book is comprised of 6 chapters as detailed below.

Origins - (A brief developmental history of the F-4 is provided along with good pics of early models.)

• Early Phantoms
  (The F-4C and D are covered.)

• The Gunslingers and Wild Weasels
  (The F-4E and G are covered)

• The RF-4C
  (The Reconnaissance variant is covered)

• Up Close
  (Multiple good detail shots of all variants)

• Loaded Up
  (Great detail shots of ordinance and hard points)

This is very a nice addition to the WARchive Series. As with the previous volume on the Douglas A-4, quality pictures of multiple schemes are provided along with great detail pics for the modeler.

Highly Recommended for all Phantom fans!

Keep ‘em coming, Chris!

John

For more on this review visit ModelPaintSolutions.com

https://modelpaintsol.com/reviews/warchives-vol-3-phantoms-of-the-land-usaf-ang-f-4-phantoms

Text by and Images by John Miller / Model Paint Solutionr
Page Created 30 January, 2026
Last updated 30 January, 2026

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