[Andrew]

I'd prefer a USAF wild weasel scheme over that one.
The nose looks "pink" on the photo

[Shawn 507]

That Kinder Blau just dosen't look German. I can't explain it, but that is not a scheme that comes to mind when I think of German F4s.

[muesingman]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

That Kinder Blau just dosen't look German. I can't explain it, but that is not a scheme that comes to mind when I think of German F4s.

It is a little bit as it´s like on HM´s Mirage 2000. That grey looks slightly blue under two circumstances:

1. fresh from the factory (or depot overhaul)

AND

2. bright sunshine when being photographed.


After a couple of weeks flewn through mid-european weather, it rather looks like the grey on HM´s A-10s for example.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by muesingman

It is a little bit as it´s like on HM´s Mirage 2000. That grey looks slightly blue under two circumstances:

1. fresh from the factory (or depot overhaul)

AND

2. bright sunshine when being photographed.


After a couple of weeks flewn through mid-european weather, it rather looks like the grey on HM´s A-10s for example.

I remember that weather!

[muesingman]

Had e-mail contact with William again and I suggested him NOT to do a plane from JG 74 but from JG 71. He told me that indeed priority will be given to a JG 71 plane now, since JG 71 is named after the famous WW I air ace Richthofen.

On the other hand, doing a "Mölders" Phantom might be considered as "politically incorrect" by some people here in Germany since it was found out in 2005 that the later WW II ace Werner Mölders before had also served in the "Legion Condor". The "Legion Condor" was responsibly for many attacks on defenceless villages and cities during Spanish civil war in the mid-thirties, helping General Franco´s fascists. Pablo Picasso´s famous picture "Guernica" depicts one of those attacks. And so, three years ago, it was decided that any "honourful reminding" of former members of the "Legion Condor" will be disciplinary repremanded in the Luftwaffe from now on and since then the JG 74 is also called "das Geschwader ohne Namen" (the air wing with no name). The small black letter "MÖLDERS" do not appear in their squadron badge any more, instead there´s just JG-74 (view below).

So, doing a JG 71 "Richthofen" F-4 will avoid any possilbe trouble...

[Shawn 507]

So what will this Richthofen livery look like? Or will the Red Baron be the subject of scandal soon?

[muesingman]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

So what will this Richthofen livery look like? Or will the Red Baron be the subject of scandal soon?

Errr...

Shawn, there will be no special "Richthofen livery". The plane will exactly have that "baby blueish" camo scheme as the JG 74 one, just the squadron badge, tactical no. and (William, please note!) serial no. will be different.

EDIT: William just told me that HM finally have decided to stick to their first intention and so it will become no. 38+53 of JG 74 (Serial: LUFTWAFFE F-4F 72-1263).
So: forget all the "Richthofen" F-4F rumours that I spread...

[Raven]

This is what I'd like to see...

F-4F Phantom II by David W. Aungst (Hasegawa 1/48)

[Lakota Mech]

Originally Posted by Raven

This is what I'd like to see...

F-4F Phantom II by David W. Aungst (Hasegawa 1/48)

That one would work for me.

[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by muesingman

That depents on wether the outer wings´ leading edges are interchangeable on the mold, since the slats applied on F-4Fs are the only distinction from other long-nosed versions afaik (regarding just the shape, of course).

Some USAF F-4E had the slats also, but not all of them - HM will have to do a good research job here. I am not sure about the IAF or JASDF planes - can someone here tell, did they have the slats also? If yes, it should be no problem to do them with the same mold.

IAF:

Some did and some didn't...I know, that's a pretty detailed answer, huh?? If I remember correctly we sent the IAF the slat "kits" as an experiment. Once it was shown how well their planes performed with the slats we begin to add them in earnest. Again, this is off the top of my head and I'll check my references tomorrow for better information.