F-4D Phantom (Vietnam)

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hey guys,

I just picked up Revell’s 1/48 F-4 C/D kit. I am going to model my girl’s grandfathers plane that he flew for in Vietnam. It was the 8TFW, 433rd TFS and his plane was number AF 67 760, an F-4D model. I posted a photo of it below.

Is there any pointers ya’ll can give me about this squadron, this plane, or this kit? I haven’t built any airplanes since seriously taking up the hobby in the past couple years - only done cars and Hasegawa’s USS Alabama.

Thanks!
Kyle

2

Hi Kyle,

I believe the serial number is more likely to be 66-(7)760. This number seems more consistent with F-4D production blocks, the only “67-” series F-4D’s being manufactured for Iran.

That being said, there’s still very little information available about this particular aircraft.

3

Here the info I could find on this aircraft

66-7760 (c/n 2406) to AMARC as FP0199 Jan 10, 1989. Still on AMARC inventory list. Davis-Monthan Air Force base, Tucson, Arizona.

Owen

4

Well Apparently her grandfather’s CO was none other than Robin Olds as he was in charge of the 8th TFW at the time. And it is possible that he may have also taken part in Operation Bolo

5

PACAF numbered aircraft different from the rest of the USAF. The USAF, USAFE and all other comands used the year (66) followed by the last three of the serial number (760). PACAF used the last year number plus the first number of the serial number (67) then the last three of the serial number (760). That is why the number is 67-760.

Col Olds commanded the unit when they had the F-4C. The 8 TFW did not convert to the F-4D until late 1968 after Col Olds had left.

If you could find out what year he served with the unit I can give you more information.

Google the 8 TFW Wolfpack and it will give you loads of information on when the unit served in the Vietnam war.

6

Hey Berny,

Thanks for the clarification (I’ll have to try to remember that, as I’m almost certain you’ve explained it before [:$] )

7

The old Revell/Monogram kit of the F-4C/D is old but can be built into a nice F-4. To make a more accurate F-4D, round off the trailing edge of the RHAW antenna on the fin cap. The cockpit is not for the F-4D but for the F-4C, but not much can be done about that unless you want to scratchbuild the rear inst panel and side consoles. I would suggest leaving it as is, as 99.999% of anyone looking into the rear cockpit wouldn’t know the difference.

The landing gear struts are very weak so you may want to get the AM gear from squadron.com. If you plan on loading it like the photograph you will need a centerline tank and outboard pylons, Again squadron had the correct outboard pylons in resin and I am sure you can find a centerline tank for it.

8

Not to hijack the thread, but Berny or anyone did you read Old’s book? I just finished it and enjoyed it quite a bit.

9

If you are modeling it in the 69/71 time period, one addition would be the APR-69A RHAW behind the nose radome. There were four and would be at the 10, 2, 4 and 8 o’clock position. It didn’t work very well and were quickly removed. You may make them out on your photo as small black diamond shaped nibs.

Best wishes,

Grant

10

Honestly… the Revell F-4C/D in 1/48 is almost as good as anything from Hasegawa and costs half as much. I have built several of them… And the kit seats are good enough to not need replaced (unlike the hasegawa).

I think Scalemaster makes sheets of letters and numbers for the tailcodes… I built a custom F-4 a while back and aside from the squadron stripe on the tail (and in my case intake) I was able to cobble together everything I needed from my decal stash.

11

Going back and looking at the photograph, I would bet it was taken during the Linebacker operation. As I said in my other post, the 8 TFW did not pick up the F-4D until late '68 and the bombing of targets in North Vietnam had come to a halt. They were not started again until President Nixon started Linebacker to get the North back into the peace talks.

I was in SEA when the bombing was stopped and from then on, almost all of our missions were truck busting missions and river barge missions. The load out was very different.

12

Thanks guys - honestly, I don’t know what year it was he flew. I am pretty sure that his last flight was from Ubon, flying that F-4. He is 79 years old now, so that would put him at about 40 when he stepped down from flying (flew desks afterwords). Where is a good decal set I can find for this? All I would really need is the “FG” and tail numbers I believe…

I don’t know a whole lot about his flying career (never see him, he lives in another state) and am trying to build this up as a surprise Christmas present for him.

Kyle

13

Let me go through my decal stash. I am sure I have the FG in 1/48 scale. As for the serial number, if you have any old decals of aircraft you should be able to piece together the tail number.

14

For some reason or other I want to say either Aero Master or Super Scale did a sheet for the 8th TFW.

Flaps up,

Mike

Rangers Lead The Way

15

Hey guys,

Here’s how the cockpit looks. Like I said, my first plane so go easy! [:O]

Kyle

16

I went through my decal stash and found the FG tail code and enough numbers to make up the serial number. I have extra numbers incase some won’t work. They are old so you would have to seal them before trying to use. I can’t guarantee if they are still good but if you seal them they should work. Send me your address and I’ll pop them in the mail tomorrow.