Table Of Content24537
COLORS &MARKINGS OF THE
THE COLORS & MARKINGS SERIES
The Colors & Markings Series has been designed to ciflc format of the book. Insomecases the bookmay
provide an ongoing affordable series of pUblications cover a specific time frame or a given numbered air
covering the paint schemes, squadron markings, force. The active Air Force units that operated the
special insignias, and nose artcarried by many ofthe aircraft may be the focus of one book, while Air
most important aircraft in aviation history. National Guard units will be featured in another. In
short, the format and scope of each book will be
Most books in this series will have sixty-four pages, narrowed so that good coverage can be presented.
and approximately one-quarter of the pictures will However, it must be noted that it is impossible to
usually beincolor.When olderaircraftarepresented, providedefinitive, much less complete,coverageofa
and extensive color coverage is not available, there given aircraft in a sixty-four page book. To do so is
will be less color, but more black and white photo not ourgoal, butwe dointendtoprovideasextensive
graphs. Exceptforthe front cover, noartist paintings coverage as possible in acontinuing softbound ser
will be used to show color, sincethese are notorious ies, and offered atapriceeventhereaderonabudget
for having errors. When color photographs are not can afford. In orderto include as many photographs
available, captions fortheblackandwhitephotoswill as possible, no extensive narrativewill be includedto
extensively describe the colors involved. We believe coverthe developmentaloroperational historyofthe
this will provide more accurate information than aircraft. This is usually better provided in books
artists' renditions. But in most cases, there will be designed primarily to presentsuch information.This
approximately50colorphotographsforapriceunder serieswillhaveonlyabriefintroductiontoexplainthe
twelve dollars. Additionally, there will usually be at basicmissionoftheaircraftandthescopeandformat
least one-hundred more black and white photo used for that particular book. It will be the captions
graphs. We will make itourpolicy to keep the photo for the photographs that will tell the story of the
graphs large sothatthemarkingsshowclearly.Dates aircraft and its markings. To as great an extent as
that the photographs were taken will often be possible, photosthat have not been publishedbefore
included so that the reader will know the time frame will be used.
for which the markings were appropriate.
We have been fortunate to receive the cooperation
Special volumes in this series will be released and assistancefrom someofthebest known aviation
approximately once a year. These special volumes photographers in the world whohaveoffered photos
will be larger and will contain additional color. from their extensive collections for this series. With
their help, we believe the Colors & Markings Series
The service life of each aircraft will dictate the spe- will be the best of its kind available anywhere.
THE AUTHORS
Bert Kinzeyisanaviationwriterwhoisbestknownfor Ray LeaderisanAirTrafficControllerfortheFederal
his "Detail & Scale" series which he created tocover Aviation Administration at the Atlanta International
the details of military aircraft. He has also written Airport. He began his aviation career. when he
numerous magazine articles as well as manuals for entered the U.S. Army in 1958. Ray's interestin avia
the Department of the Army. He has served in the tion led him into aviation photography which he has
Army as an Air Defense Artillery Officer, during avidly pursued since 1962. He has one of the most
which time he commanded a Hawk guided missile extensive collections of avjation photographs in the
battery in Korea, and later wrote and taught classes world. He is a member of the International Plastic
on airpower at the Army Air Defense School. As a Modeler's Society, the American Aviation Historical
civilian he served with the Army as a "subject matter Society,and theWorldAirlineHistoricalSociety.Ray
expert" on the Soviet air threat, but now has turned operates"FlightleaderAviation Research andPhoto
hisattention to full time writing. Heisanavidaviation graphy," and travels extensively taking photographs
photographer and modeler, and is a member of the for Detail & Scaleandotheraviation publications. He
Aviation and Space Writers Association, theInterna is the Vice President for Photography at Detail &
tional Plastic Modelers Society, and the American Scale, Inc.
Historical Society. He is also President of Detail &
Scale, Inc.
COLORS & MARKINGS OF THE
-
N10M
Bert Kinzey and Ray Leader
/1l\BI
Airlife Publishing Ltd.
TAB BOOKS Inc.
Blue Ridge Summit PA England
Copyright © 1989 BY DElAIL & SCALE, INC.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form except in
areview, stored inaretrieval systemortransmitted in any form byanymeans, electronic,
mechanical, or otherwise without the written consent of Detail & Scale, Inc.
This book is aproductof Detail & Scale, Inc., which hassole responsibility for its content
andlayout,exceptthatallcontributorsareresponsibleforthesecurityclearanceandcopy
right release ofall materialssubmitted. Published and distributed in the United States by
TAB BOOKS Inc., and in Great Britain and Europe by Airlife Publishing Ltd.
CONTRIBUTORS AND SOURCES
Flightleader PeterGreve Don Jay USAF
Don Spering/A.I.R. Jerry Geer Udo Weisse L.B. Sides
Hugh Muir Marty Isham Eddy de Kruyff Military Aircraft Photographs
Don Logan Kirk Minert Paul Minert Norm Taylor
David F. Brown Larry Norris Ben Knowles GB Aircraft Slides
Brian Rogers Doug Siowiak Mike Campbell John Sheets
George Cockle Tim Williams Bob Stewart Lars Soldeus
Tom Brewer Ted Van Geffen Mike Grove Randy Koivisto
Jim Rotramel Grant Matsuoka H.J. van Broekhuizen McDonnell Douglas
FIRST EDITION
FIRST PRINTING
Published in United States by First published in Great Britain in 1989
by Airlife Publishing Ltd.
TAB BOOKS Inc. 7St. John's Hill, Shrewsbury, SYl 1JE
Blue Ridge Summit. PA 17294-0214
British LibraryCataloging in
Publication Data
Library ofCongress Cataloging Kinzey, Bert, 1945-
in Publication Data: F-4EPhantomII.-(Colors&Markingsseries;
v.13).
Kinzey, Bert. 1. McDonnell Douglas F-4 II aeroplanes,
ColorsandmarkingsoftheF-4EPhantomII 1974-1984. Mark
I by Bert Kinzey and I. Title II. Leader, Ray
Ray Leader. 358.4'183
p. cm.-(Colors & markings; vol. 13)
ISBN 0-8306-8537-5 (pbk.) ISBN 1-85310-614-3(pbk)
1.PhantomII(Jetfighterplane)2.Airplanes,
Military-United
States-Identifcationmarks. I. Leader,Ray.
II. Title.
III. Title: F-4E Phantom II. IV. Series.
UG1242.F5K5233 1989
358.4'3-dc20 89-20162
TAB BOOKS Inc. offers software for
sale. For information and acatalog,
please contact TAB Software Department,
Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850.
Questions regarding the content of this book
should be addressed to:
Reader Inquiry Branch
TAB BOOKS Inc.
Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0214
Front cover: Tim McGovern, an outstanding modeler and artist, painted this beautiful rendition of F-4E, 68-0338,
specifically for the front cover ofthis book. This aircraft, which isaMiG killer, isassignedto theMissouriANG, andis
also the subject of the photograph on the rear cover. Additional photographs of68-0338 may be found on page62.
Rearcover: This beautifulin-flightphotographofF-4E, 68-0338, was takenaftertheapplicationofspecialmarkingsfor
the 30th celebration of the Phantom. (Spering/A.I.R.)
INTRODUCTION
AnF-4Eisshown in frontoftheSt. Louisplantwith threeofitsair-to-airweapons. InfrontofthePhantomistheVulcan
20mm cannon that was carried internally. The F-4E was the only Phantom with internalgun armament. The smaller
missiles are infrared versions ofthe AIM-4 Falcon, while the larger white missiles areAIM-7Sparrows. In reality, the
Phantom carried the AIM-9 Sidewinder far more often than the AIM-4. This F-4E is painted in the standard SEA
camouflage scheme which was in vogue when this version ofthe Phantom enteredservice. (McDonnell Douglas)
Volume3intheColors&MarkingsSeriescoveredthe how complete the coverage is that they provide. Some
post-Vietnam markingsofU.S.AirForceF-4CPhantoms. times it also means that we have to use a photo that,
This was followed by Volume4which tookasimilarlook because of its poor quality, we would prefer not to use,
at the F-4D in post-war Air Force markings. This new but we do so if itshowsaschemeormarkingsthatisnot
volume now adds the F-4E to the Colors & Markings available in another photograph. But we believe that the
Series,againcovering all unitsthathaveflownthisPhan serious aviaton enthusiast prefers a more complete
tom variant since the end of the war in Vietnam. record of the aircraft's color and markings than what a
Unlike most aviation "picture books," the Colors & mere "picture book" offers.
Markings Series strives to be as complete a pictorial Afterabriefexplanation ofthepaintschemesusedon
record of the subject as is possible. Each unit that has the F-4E, the format of this book begins with F-4Esthat
flowntheaircraftduringthestatedtimeframeisincluded, were painted in special markingsbyMcDonnellDouglas
and different schemes and variations of markings for to commemorate the 5000th and last Phantom built at
each unit are illustrated starting with the oldestandcon their St. Louis plant. We also illustratethe markingscar
tinuing to the newest scheme as of press time for the ried by the Thunderbirds on their F-4Es before turning
book. We believe that this approach is far more worth our attention to the main focus of the book which isthe
while and valuable than a picture book that is merely a U.S. Air Force units that have operated the aircraft. This
collection of pretty photographs having a hit-or-miss begins with the ActiveAirForceWingswhich haveflown
coverage of units, schemes, and markings. It would bea theF-4Esince1974.Thesewingsarearrangedinnumeri
simple matterto selecttwo-hundred outstanding photo cal orderbeginning with the1stTactical FighterWing on
graphs of F-4Es and putthem in a book. Butbyorganiz page 8. In all, seventeen different wings are covered.
ingtheformatfortheColors&MarkingsSeriestoinclude Miscellaneoussquadrons, notassignedtotacticalfighter
all units, we believe our more comprehensive coverage wings, are next, and these are followed in turn by units
will beofgreaterinteresttothehistorian,enthusiast,and assigned with atest and evaluation mission. TheoneAir
scalemodeler.Thismeansthatwehavetodigdeeperand ForceReserveunittoflytheF-4Easofpresstimeforthis
look longer for the photographs and information than if book comes next. Then the Air National Guard squad
we were going to merely include the same number of rons round out the coverage. These Guard units are
photographschosen only fortheirqualityratherthanfor arranged alphabetically by state.
3
F-4E PAINT SCHEMES
The wraparound SEA camouflage scheme is exemplified by this aircraft from the New Jersey Air National Guard.
(Brown)
The paintschemesthathavebeenappliedtotheF-4E never completely replaced the original SEA scheme.
follow those that were used on the F-4D and the F-4C Examples of this earliercamouflage could befoundside
beforethat. When the F-4Eenteredservice, theAirForce bysidewith thewraparound scheme,althoughfewerand
had already begun to camouflage its aircraft because of fewer aircraft remained painted in it. At about the same
the war in Vietnam. The standard SEA (Southeast Asia) time, the Air Force opted for low-visibility markings,
camouflage scheme had been adopted, and was the changing thetail codesandserial numbersfromwhiteto
standard formostfighterswhenthisversion ofthe Phan black. The national insignia, which had already been
tom became operational. This scheme consisted of two reduced in size with the SEA scheme, now became a
greens, FS 34079 and FS 34102, and a tan, FS 30219, black outline instead of having the red, white, and blue
painted in a specified pattern on the upper and vertical colors used previously.Toalargeextent,unitbadgesand
surfaces of the aircraft. A very light gray, FS 36622, was other markings also had black or dark gray substituted
used on the undersurfaces. This camouflage scheme for the earlier colors. For the purposes of this book, we
remained the standardforall versions ofAirForce Phan will refertothestandardSEAcamouflageschemesimply
toms until several years after the conclusion of U.S in as the SEAscheme, and to theSEAwraparound camou
volvement inVietnam. ItwasusedonfightersintheTacti flage as the wraparound scheme.
cal Air Command in all theaters, not just in Southeast The European 1schemewasthenexttobeappliedto
Asia. Only fighters with a primary air defense mission the F-4E, and, asthenamewould imply,wasbased more
remained in their standard overall ADC gray. on the European or NATO environment. It too was a
In the mid-1970s the SEA wraparound scheme made wraparound scheme, and consisted of the same two
its appearance. This was the same as the standard SEA greens as used in the SEA schemes, FS 34102 and FS
scheme, except that the light gray on the undersurfaces 34079, and a dark gray, FS 36081. Ofticial patterns for
wasdeleted,and thepatternofthetwogreensandthetan both the SEA and European 1schemes can befound in
was applied to the underside of the aircraft as well. This Colors&MarkingsVolume4ontheF-4D.TheEuropean1
scheme became more prevalent as time went on, but it scheme always seemed to make the·aircraft appearas a
dark silhouette when back li~hted or in dim light, and
proved verydifficulttophotograph.Unlessthesunwasat
-
justthe rightangle, itwasverydifficulttoseethedifferent
......... ......
..\. ~. colors, much less capture them on film.
••• 3J~··· The most recent camouflage·scheme is one oftwoor
three grays similar to that used on the F-16. Most units
appear to have opted for only two shades, one dark and
one light, with the dark used for the markings on the
lighter gray and the light gray used for markings on the
dark gray. However, a reasonable amount of color,
F-4Es in units with a primary air defense missionwere mostlyintheformofunitmarkings,seemstobereturning
painted in the overall ADC gray scheme. This aircraft with this new scheme. This is most welcome to photo
belongs to the 57th FIS based at Kefievik, Iceland.
graphersand modelersalike. Butvisitstosquadronsthat
(MAP) operate Phantomsinthisscheme,andcolorphotographs
4
The European 1camouflageschemeisillustratedonthisF-4Efromthe347th TFW. ItwasphotographedonOctober10,
1987. (Flightleader)
of it, indicatethattheshadesofgray used, particularlyin The same aircraft isthesubjectofthephotographonthe
the case of the darker gray, vary considerably from any rear cover, and the coverage ofMissouri'sPhantomsbe
standard. In this publication we refer to this scheme as gins on page 58 and runs through page 62.
the new gray scheme. On the pages that follow, each of these schemes is
illustrated in dozensofphotographsthathavebeencare
Throughout the F-4Es operational service, some air
fully selected to show the different colors and markings
crafthavebeen painted inschemesotherthanthesefour.
used by each unitthat hasoperated thisaircraftbetween
They include those aircraft assigned to aunitwith an air
1974and 1989--aspan of fifteen years. Webelievethis is
defensemission.TheseaircraftwerepaintedoverallADC
the most complete look at the unit markings and paint
gray, FS16473.ThesewerethemostcolorfulF-4Esinany
schemes for U.S. Air Force F-4Es ever published in a
operational unit.Testunitshaveflown F-4Esinanoverall
single volume.
white scheme.
In order to assemble the comprehensive coverage of
Our feature squadron is the Missouri Air National the F-4E that is provided on the following pages, many
Guard's 110th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The painting contributors had to be contacted, and they were very
on the front coverwas done specifically forthispublica generous. On page2arethenamesofthirty-sixcontribu
tion by Tim McGovern, and depicts perhaps the best torsandsourceswhosephotographsappearinthispubli
knownand mostoften photographed F-4Efrom thisunit. cation. The authors express a sincere thanks to all of
ItisaMiGkiller,andlaterwaspaintedinspecialmarkings them for their assistance and generosity. Without their
to commemorate the Phantom's thirtieth anniversary. help, this publication would not have been possible.
The latestscheme to beappliedto the F-4E is this graycamouflagepattern thatissimilarto thatusedontheF-16. In
some cases, three shades ofgray are used, butitseemsthatmostofthe timeonlytwograysareapplied. Markingson
one shade ofgray are painted in the othershade. Note the new frameless windscreen on this Phantom.
(McDonnell Douglas)
5
McDONNELL DOUGLAS SPECIAL MARKINGS
The 5000th Phantom built, 77-0290, displays its specialmarkings in aflightoverSt. Louison March28, 1978. The two
shades ofbluepaintedon the white Phantom were veryattractive. 5000THPHANTOM waspaintedonthenoseofthe
aircraft in red. The flags ofthe countries that have operated the Phantom were applied to the light bluestripe on the
fuselage. (McDonnell Douglas via Isham)
The last Phantom built at St. Louis was F-4E, 78-0744, which was eventuallydelivered to the Korean AirForce. The
specialmarkingwasonlyontherightsideoftheaircraft. The aircraftwaspaintedinanairsuperioritygraycamouflage
that was based on the scheme developed for the F-15 Eagle. (McDonnell Douglas)
Thisleftsideviewof78-0744showsthemarkingsthatwerecarriedontheaircraft,andconfirmsthatthespecialmarking
was on the right side of the nose only. (McDonnell Douglas)
6
THUNDERBIRDS
The F-4E seen in this April 1973 photograph was painted in the colors ofthe AirForce's flight demonstration team.
Thunderbird Number 7 was generally used to fly media and VIP orientation flights. (Sides)
Atleftisaright frontviewofThunderbirdNumber1asitappearedinearly1972.Comparethisviewwiththephotograph
atrightthatillustratestheleftsideofThunderbirdNumber3. Notice the Thunderbirdemblemontherightsideandthe
flags on the left side of the aircraft. (Both MAP)
Number 4, 66-0291, was easily recog
nizedbytheblackexhauststainonthe
vertical tailsurface, acquiredbyflying
the slot position. The paint scheme
used by the Thunderbirds did not
include the aircraft serial number.
(MAP)
7
1st TACTICAL FIGHTER WING
--
-
The 1stTFW, basedatLangleyAFB, Virginia, operatedtheF-4E untilitwasreplacedinservicebytheF-15Eagle.F-4E,
67-0217, was assignedto the 71st TFS when it was photographedon May4, 1973. The SEA camouflagewastheonly
paint scheme that was used on the 1st TFW's Phantoms. (Taylor)
This right rear view of F-4E, 69-7587,
illustrates the pattern of the camou
flage on that side of the aircraft. No
wing badge waspresentonthissideof
the aircraft. (MAP)
F-4E, 66-0302, was previously assigned to the Thunderbirds, but it was in full markings for the 1st TFW when
photographedattheNellisAFB, Nevada, transitramp onMarch 1, 1975. Thewingbadgewaspaintedontheintake, and
a TAG badge appeared on the tail in front of the white FF tail code. (Logan)
8
