AirDOC (Aircraft Documents)

British Phantoms - The FGR2 (F-4M) of the RAF in Germany

1/72 or 1/48 British Phantom decal sheet

1/72 product # ADM 72007  -  1/48 product # ADM 48007

Review by Steve Bamford on June 11 2008

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This decal sheet from AirDOC is a very welcome sheet for all modellers with a passion for the RAF Phantoms.  This particular decal sheet features 40 different British Phantoms - The FGR2 (F-4M) of the RAF in Germany.  The Brits have a flair for adorning their aircraft with squadron artwork, so each of their aircraft is well worth having a close look at.   The aircraft are painted the Tactical Grey/Green Camo scheme of Dark Green BS 381C.641 and Dark Sea Grey BS 381C.638 on top and Light Aircraft Grey BS 381C.627 on the underside.  Some aircraft on this decal sheet are in the Air Defence All Grey Camo scheme of Medium Sea Grey BS 381C.637 and Barley Grey BS 4800.118.21 on top and Light Aircraft Grey BS 381C.627 on the underside.  

The 40 aircraft on this decal sheet includes the following planes;

  • A/C # 1 is FGR.2, XT901/T, No. II (AC)) Squadron, RAF Laarbruch in 1975.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 2  is FGR.2, XV399/W, No. II (AC)) Squadron, RAF Laarbruch in 1972.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 3 is FGR.2, XV411/H, No. II (AC)) Squadron, RAF Bremgarten in 1975.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 4 is FGR.2, XV494/N, No. II (AC) Squadron, RAF Laarbruch in 1973.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 5 is FGR.2, XV485/H, No. II (AC) Squadron, RAF Laarbruch in 1974.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 6 is FGR.2, XV463, No. I4 Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1970.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 7 is FGR.2, XV501, No. I4 Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1970.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 8 is FGR.2, XV435, No. 14 Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1974.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 9 is FGR.2, XV464, No. II Squadron, RAF Gütersloh in 1974.  Tactical Camo 

  • A/C # 10 is FGR.2, XV432, No. II Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1975.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 11 is FGR.2, XV471, No. XVII Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1971.  Tactical Camo  

  • A/C # 12 is FGR.2, XV468, No. XVII Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1974.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 13 is FGR.2, XV462, No. XVII Squadron, CAFB Baden-Soellingen in 1974.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 14 is FGR.2, XV489, No. XVII Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1975.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 15  is FGR.2, XT906, No. XVII Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1973.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 16 is FGR.2, XV440, No. 31 Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1970.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 17 is FGR.2, XV501, No. 31 Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1976.   Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 18 is FGR.2, XT905, No. 31 Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1974.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 19 is FGR.2, XV491, No. 31 Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1975.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 20 is FGR.2, XV494, No. 31 Squadron, RAF Brüggen in 1975.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 21 is FGR.2, XV468/D, No. 19 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1983.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 22 is FGR.2, XV474/F, No. 19 Squadron, "TAM" Bitburg AB 1980.  Tactical Camo 

  • A/C # 23 is FGR.2, XV481/G, No. 19 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1982.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 24 is FGR.2, XV480/B, No. 19 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1982.  Tactical Camo  

  • A/C # 25 is FGR.2, XT911/K, No. 19 Squadron, RAF Gütersloh in 1981.  Tactical Camo

  • A/C # 26 is FGR.2, XV400/F, No. 19 Squadron, Decimommanu, Sardina in 1983.  Air Defence Camo.

  • A/C # 27 is FGR.2, XV430/C, No. 19 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1981.  Air Defence Camo.

  • A/C # 28  is FGR.2, XV422/J, "Jaguar Killer" No. 19 Squadron, Decimommanu, Sardina in 1987.  Air Defence Camo.

  • A/C # 29 is FGR.2, XV485/M, No. 19 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1991.  Air Defence Camo.

  • A/C # 30 is FGR.2, XT902/K, No. 19 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1991.  Air Defence Camo. 

  • A/C # 31 is FGR.2, XT899/T, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1978.  Tactical Grey/Green Camo

  • A/C # 32 is FGR.2, XV435/X, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1979.  Tactical Grey/Green Camo

  • A/C # 33 is FGR.2, XV467/Q, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1984.  Tactical Grey/Green Camo

  • A/C # 34 is FGR.2, XV415/P, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Gütersloh in 1983.  Tactical Grey/Green Camo

  • A/C # 35 is FGR.2, XV490/S, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1982.  Tactical Grey/Green Camo 

  • A/C # 36 is FGR.2, XV914/T, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1988.  Air Defence Camo.

  • A/C # 37 is FGR.2, XV492/W, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1992.  Air Defence Camo.  

  • A/C # 38 is FGR.2, XV498/U, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1987.  Air Defence Camo.

  • A/C # 39 is FGR.2, XV435/R, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Gütersloh in 1990.  Air Defence Camo.

  • A/C # 40 is FGR.2, XV469/AO, No. 92 Squadron, RAF Wildenrath in 1989.  Air Defence Camo.

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So you get 2 camo patterns on jets in 6 squadrons in 8 different air bases from 1970 to 1992.  The paint job on these 40 aircraft include tails painted in a variety of colour, fin flashes in blue/white or red/yellow and a good variety of squadron markings to add colour to many of these jets.  Plus you get the only British Phantom with a Jaquar kill.....that's a funny story, but I won't go into that here.

The instructions are beautifully printed in glossy full colour with numbered arrows showing which decals go where.  Each aircraft is shown from one angle and there is generic colour drawings showing 4 views of both camo schemes.  Also included is colour samples on the instruction sheets to help the less informed modellers figure out the various British camo colours.  

The decals print by Cartograf come on 1 decal sheet with a second tiny insert decal sheet on the 1/72 sample before me.  They are clearly and crisply printed and appear to be of the highest quality.  

The Phantom is a much loved jet and the British Phantoms with their camo are refreshing to look at. 

Steve

I would like to thank AirDOC for providing me with this review sample.

AirDOC also has a large selection of aircraft reference books covering modern and vintage aircraft as well as decals covering vintage and modern aircraft.

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Photos and text © by Steve Bamford