Da SWO Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 (edited) I have been asked to build a RF-4C in MS ANG markings for a friend (surprise gift). Early 80's time frame, so would I build it in a SEA scheme or Euro 1? What ECM gear would have been carried? Where carried? Were they capable of carrying sidewinders for self defense? Thanks Edited August 15, 2022 by Da SWO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 Hi Da, Here are a couple images I was able to find. The first shows a MANG RF-4 in Euro camo in 1986 and the second shows MANG RF-4 in SEA wrap around in 1982. Mississippi ANG RF-4C in Euro-1 by F16CrewChief on DeviantArt McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II - USA - Air Force | Aviation Photo #1048157 | Airliners.net As far as loadouts. Fuel tanks for sure. I can't tell you if they would have carried ECM pods in training? I know that late in the life of the RFs the USAF experimented in letting them carry sidewinders. Don't know if that ever went operational. I believe RF-4s were nuclear capable. HTH Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 (edited) Brett, Let me look up my WAPJ books on the F-4. I have a few, one is just about ANG Phantoms, so it should have plenty of photos. Early 80s? It will most likely be SEA with camo gray bottom, but could also be SEA wrap around. Green scallops and black "KE" on tail, right? A quick look on airliners.net & air-britain shows several airframes. 1980 SEA w/ Camo Gray undersides: https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/military-unit/153%20TRSxSx186%20TRGxSxMississippi%20ANG 1982 SEA wrap around: https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air-Force/McDonnell-RF-4C-Phantom-II/1048157/L 1987 Hill Grey: https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-RF-4C-Phantom-II/2477430?qsp=eJwtjUEKwkAQBL8S5qyHoATJTT%2BgBz8wzLZJMLrL7EBcQv7uuHgrqpvulSS%2BDR%2B7lwTqKYNVRtpRYuVXpn6lJ8oSNTiTPvZHadpTZ2NjOngtR7VL8Siw4SyCZAh/f9UA/UXIUhcHf2gdoLfKdOjchymnmesGjKeZtu0L024xPw%3D%3D 1988 Euro One: https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air-Force/McDonnell-RF-4C-Phantom-II/2609568 So take your pick. It is possible that a couple of these schemes could be present on the ramp at any given date. As to loadout: standard would be two wing tanks; centerline tank not always carried for tactical missions, though it would be for ferry flights. ECM pods (AN/ALQ-87 or 119) were not usually carried by Guard units. A travel pod on one of the inner stations may be appropriate. HTH, Dutch Edited August 15, 2022 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted August 15, 2022 Share Posted August 15, 2022 20+ photos here in this Flickr search - both SEA and Euro 1 schemes in the early '80s: https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=RF-4C MIssissippi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted August 16, 2022 Share Posted August 16, 2022 (edited) The SEA scheme lasted until ~1979/1980, when the earliest cases of wraparound SEA scheme was noted from what I've seen. Wraparound SEA was gradually introduced from then until Euro1 came on the scene around 1983ish, and as repaint was done at depots it's common to see nearly all units having a mix of SEA/Wrap-around SEA/Euro1 until mid-80's, by which time the Euro1 had largely taken over. Then from 1986/87 the Hill Gray I and II schemes came about. Hill Gray I (FS36118/FS36270/FS36375, similar to the F-16) was mostly seen on F-4C/D's of the ANG, but quickly gave way to the Hill Gray II (FS36118/FS36270) which then became the norm. Again, repaint from Euro 1 to Hill Gray II was done at depot level as per normal maintenance cycle. The 52(T)FW had Euro 1 and Hill Gray II painted aircraft deployed for Dessert Storm in 1991, and even sent some Euro 1 colored F-4G's to the boneyard when finally giving up the F-4G in 1993. I a quite sure that with the abundance of likely more knowledgable fighter enthusiast in here there will be corrections to the years I provided, but should non the less give you a fairly correct timeline for the various color shemes. (I had the same question once, hence my interest in the subject 😁 ) Edit: Just remember a comment in Osprey's Superbase series on Kadena: The RF-4C's where among the earliest to give up the Euro 1, which was unpopular with the crews as they felt that Euro 1 gave better protection when down low on recon missions. Edited August 16, 2022 by Niels Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Da SWO Posted August 16, 2022 Author Share Posted August 16, 2022 Thanks, I have an old microscale decal set, so I will see which looks better Euro1 or the SEA wrap around. Combat configuration would include some sort of ECM pod? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 An ALQ-119 ECM pod would probably be loaded in the 80s. I've seen the -131 and -184s during Desert Storm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) Brett, Here's my Testors / Italeri RF-4C pretty much OOTB. I did add the Hasegawa AN/ALQ-119 to the stbd inner pylon. Airbrush painted. Built circa early 1980s. K/r, Dutch Edited August 20, 2022 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 Didnt some of them carry the AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack pod before they were all given to The Liberty Wing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
achterkirch Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 19 hours ago, ElectroSoldier said: Didnt some of them carry the AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack pod before they were all given to The Liberty Wing? Yes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Da SWO Posted August 19, 2022 Author Share Posted August 19, 2022 On 8/15/2022 at 1:53 PM, andyf117 said: 20+ photos here in this Flickr search - both SEA and Euro 1 schemes in the early '80s: https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=RF-4C MIssissippi Thanks, in the duh! category. I have flickr and totally forgot about the search function. Gave me the shots I need. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 4 hours ago, achterkirch said: Yes Is that an RF-4C, 10th TRW RAF Alconbury? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jabba29 Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 9 minutes ago, ElectroSoldier said: Is that an RF-4C, 10th TRW RAF Alconbury? Yes flying over the airfield. In fact the HAS in the centre was the one that our Sqn when we were boltholed there from just down the road at RAF Wyton. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 7 minutes ago, Jabba29 said: Yes flying over the airfield. In fact the HAS in the centre was the one that our Sqn when we were boltholed there from just down the road at RAF Wyton. That would be a nice model to do for me. Wyton isnt far from where I used to live. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andyf117 Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 2 hours ago, Da SWO said: Thanks, in the duh! category. I have flickr and totally forgot about the search function. Gave me the shots I need. Flickr is always one of my main 'go to' photo sources... 1 hour ago, ElectroSoldier said: Is that an RF-4C, 10th TRW RAF Alconbury? The second time I had material published in a magazine was for a feature on the 10th TRW's RF-4Cs when they were leaving Alconbury back in 1987... ....as they were both on the 'large' side, during the 'walkaround' session neither of the two guys who did the photography were allowed up the boarding ladder, so cockpit shots were down to me - I still have a photo of me perched on top of the ladder taking them... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 Who makes a suitable Pave tack pod? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
achterkirch Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, ElectroSoldier said: Who makes a suitable Pave tack pod? I know in 1/48 eduard has one with the pylon specifically for the F-4. https://spruebrothers.com/edu648449-1-48-eduard-brassin-an-avq-26-pave-tack-pod-set-for-f-4/ Edited August 19, 2022 by achterkirch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted August 19, 2022 Share Posted August 19, 2022 23 minutes ago, achterkirch said: I know in 1/48 eduard has one with the pylon specifically for the F-4. https://spruebrothers.com/edu648449-1-48-eduard-brassin-an-avq-26-pave-tack-pod-set-for-f-4/ Thank you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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