Histoire and Collections

Planes and Pilots: The McDonnell F-4 Phantom Volume 1: US Navy and US Marine Corps

by  Gerard Paloque

Reviewed By  Ben Guenther, IPMS# 20101

MSRP: $24.95 ISBN: 978-2-352501-14-5 Review copy provided by Casemate Publishing - Website: www.casematepublishing.com Soft cover, 8 x 9", 80 pages, 14 photos and 215 color profiles There aren't many aviation buffs who if they read or heard the words "F-4" or "Phantom II" could not immediately conjure up the vision of a great beast of a plane, one that served this country thru many decades. When I saw the title for review I decided to give it a try as I had never seen any books in this series and anything on the Phantom would be interesting to me. The available text is short and briefly tells the history of each mark used by the Navy and Marines, followed by an equally short section on the American Fleet Air Arm, Naval aircraft numbering, camouflage and markings. The heart of the book and its greatest asset is in the color profiles. (All left sides) It begins with the Navy squadrons starting with VF-11 (the Red Rippers) thru VF-302 (Stallions) covering 32 squadrons. Each squadron has a section of their use of the Phantom, color image of the squadron badge and then the color profiles, which usually averages out at three per squadron. What follows are the nine Naval test squadrons in a similar manner. The Marines use of the F-4 begins with VMFA-112 (Cowboys) thru VMFA-542 (Bengals) covering 18 squadrons, then USMC reconnaissance Phantoms from VMCJ-1 (Golden Hawks) thru VMFP-3 (Eyes of the Corps) covering 7 squadrons in the same way. Occasionally, a top/bottom view is also provided for certain paint schemes. Gerard Paloque's name is listed on the cover and I found out that he is responsible for the wonderful color profiles, a work well done. As the covers notes this is Volume 1, most likely future coverage will be given to the USAF and foreign operators of the F-4, let's hope so. Most modelers will have built some Phantoms and very likely have several unbuilt kits in their pile. What I really liked about this book was the reawakening of all those wonderful, colorful paint schemes that this plane wore thru out its Navy/Marine use. It just made me want to get a kit out and build one. Many of the schemes were familiar old friends and many I had not seen before. I can highly recommend this book and it may light a fire in you to build a Phantom too. I would like to thank IPMS/USA and Casemate in giving me the opportunity to review this book.