Blue Angels F-4 questions

[chriss7606]

I had a few questions about the Blue Angels' Phantoms. While looking at photos to see what I need to delete from the Monogram kit I came across this one from Boeing: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/galle.../f4/hist176.htm . One thing that I noticed was that even though they are Js, the exhaust nozzles are the shorter ones more common to the B. What was the reason for this? Did it have to do with the modulated afterburners that the airplanes were modified with? Also visible in the pic on number 4 there is something on the aft fuselage between the horizontal stabilizers that looks like an antenna mast. I know that it isn't, but what IS it? Does it have something to do with the smoke system? Would it have been on all six jets? Finally, does anyone make decals in 1/48 for all 4 diamond jets? Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting some info!

[Tailspin Turtle]

I had a few questions about the Blue Angels' Phantoms. While looking at photos to see what I need to delete from the Monogram kit I came across this one from Boeing: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/galle.../f4/hist176.htm . One thing that I noticed was that even though they are Js, the exhaust nozzles are the shorter ones more common to the B. What was the reason for this? Did it have to do with the modulated afterburners that the airplanes were modified with?

The first Blue Angels F-4s were from the first lot of Js that were built without the AWG-10 radar or the improved J79s, because neither were available in time to meet the McDonnell schedule. Neither omission was a problem for the Blues so the lead-nose Js found a home. Due to losses, at least of couple of later Blue Angel airplanes were from later production blocks and had the long-nozzle J79s.

[PlasticWeapons]

As for decals, Yellowhammer made an F-4J Blue Angels 1969 season sheet. It's out of production so you'll have to hunt for a set but it covers jets 1-6 if I remember right. If not, your second choice would be to ask somebody who won't be needing the Revell-Monogram F-4J Blue Angels kit decals. I can't say about the quality of that sheet though.

[Quixote74]

The "mast" you're seeing is part of the smoke generating system. You can see it clearly serving this purpose under the tail of #6 in this photo on airliners.net:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Navy/...cc89a7fa83a10ce

I don't have photographic confirmation, but I wouldn't be surprised if all the Blues had this mod (confirmed for #4 and #6).

Much more detail on the early/late engines in this old thread:

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....howtopic=163572

[Skyraider Maniac]

The "mast" you're seeing is part of the smoke generating system. You can see it clearly serving this purpose under the tail of #6 in this photo on airliners.net:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Navy/...cc89a7fa83a10ce

I don't have photographic confirmation, but I wouldn't be surprised if all the Blues had this mod (confirmed for #4 and #6).

#5 in that pic seems to have it - although it's pointed upside down, what I think is white smoke can be seen trailing off the tail - just doesn't stand out so well in the photo because it doesn't have the jet for a backdrop like #6's. I keep having to adjust the laptop screen so I can see it.

just a thought

[cueva533]

http://www.highgallery.com/USAirForceThund...%203/TB-2-a.jpg Yes that is part of the smoke system . All of the F-4's had them, even the Thunderbird F-4's

I had a few questions about the Blue Angels' Phantoms. While looking at photos to see what I need to delete from the Monogram kit I came across this one from Boeing: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/galle.../f4/hist176.htm . One thing that I noticed was that even though they are Js, the exhaust nozzles are the shorter ones more common to the B. What was the reason for this? Did it have to do with the modulated afterburners that the airplanes were modified with? Also visible in the pic on number 4 there is something on the aft fuselage between the horizontal stabilizers that looks like an antenna mast. I know that it isn't, but what IS it? Does it have something to do with the smoke system? Would it have been on all six jets? Finally, does anyone make decals in 1/48 for all 4 diamond jets? Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting some info!

Edited February 26, 2011 by cueva533

[Jennings]

Be very careful if ordering the Yellowhammer decals. I did the original artwork for that sheet for Hal Tippins, the owner (at the time) of Yellowhammer. The yellow on that original release was correct. When Dave Klaus/Meteor bought out Hal's Yellowhammer line, he had the artwork reprinted in a sickly brownish color that is in NO way accurate. Klaus made all kinds of claims about how accurate it was, but it was total BS. Unfortunately there's no way to tell which is which from afar without seeing the actual decal.

I may have a few of the originals in my stash that I'd be willing to part with, but it's all boxed up in the basement at the moment.

J

[GreyGhost]

The "mast" you're seeing is part of the smoke generating system. You can see it clearly serving this purpose under the tail of #6 in this photo on airliners.net:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Navy/...cc89a7fa83a10ce

<....>

Note the difference in the burner cans in that photo also with #5 having the normal F-4J style while #6 has the F-4B style ...

Gregg

[kstater94]

At the time this photo was taken, the team had one other F-4 that had the longer burner cans. That aircraft was BA #4 (BuNo 153839)

Regards,

John

[chriss7606]

Thanks very much for the replies! I thought that the mast was part of the smoke system but wanted to be sure. The info on the burner cans and radar adds more to what I had read in a book on the Blues. It had said that the six jets they got were only being used for carrier qualifications and couldn't be reworked to fleet standards. Unfortunately I think Yellowhammer is gone along with all of Meteor Productions. If anyone has any sets or knows where to get them, please let me know.