Gulf War Phantom

[Devilfish]

I've been wanting to do a what if RAF Phantom for some time.  My plan was to do it with Sea Eagle missiles.



The back story being that after the cancellation of the TSR2, the RAF got Buccaneer and Phantoms.  Unfortunately the deal that would have lead to the Jaguar fell through, as the French wanted a more basic trainer aircraft.  After that the MRCA project was abandoned after several countries  couldn't agree on the spec.  This left the RAF with just the Harrier, Buccaneer, Lightning and Phantom as frontline aircraft. 

To boost numbers, an order was placed for 40 extra F-4J phantoms to serve in the ground attack role. These were given the designation FGR.3, although the "F" part was never used.

Roll on to the late 1970's and cracks started appearing in the Buccaneer's wing spars.  The fleet was checked and half were deemed unfit, so were scrapped, leaving the Phantoms to take over their roles.



It was at this point I was going to build my F-4 as a 12Sqn aircraft, but when I started thinking about colour schemes I realised that I had a choice between camo (possibly wraparound) and grey, both of which would look too much like actual RW 'tooms......So.....



56 Sqn in Germany were reequipping their FGR.3's to carry the new ALARM missiles.  Around this time Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, so a NATO force was sent to Saudi Arabia.  Amongst these were 56 Sqn aircraft to act as SEAD (suppression of enemy air defences).  Hurriedly painted in desert pink and flown out, the paint started wearing almost immediately.



Kit is the excellent Academy 1/48 F-4J.  I can't praise this kit enough.  ALARM missiles are from the Airfix Tornado EF.3.

The eagle-eyed amongst you may notice a bit missing....I lost that bit, so I just went on without it...
20241003_175244 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20241003_175312 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20241003_175253 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20241003_175303 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20241003_174758 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20241003_174807 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20241003_174815 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
20241003_174820 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

[scooter]

Looks like a couple of Italian Tornadoes I saw way back when I was in Iceland (92-93 time-frame).

[Captain Canada]

Excellent ! Love the load out, and how dirty she is. I turned my eagle eyes up to full blast, but I still can't see what's missing....

[chrisonord]

Very nice 

[kerick]

Well done!

[Wardukw]

Very very nice 👌 👍 😊 ☺️

[Dizzyfugu]

That's a nice idea!  And the ALARMs are a nice contemporary touch that fits well, too.

[Rick Lowe]

 

Refueling Probe?

[Devilfish]

Refueling Probe?

Starboard side, next to the rear seater, same as the Spey engined ones

[Rick Lowe]

Refueling Probe?

Starboard side, next to the rear seater, same as the Spey engined ones

K, I was looking for something fixed; then I can't spot what's missing... and it doesn't detract from the build either. 

[comrade harps]

Love the ALE-40 dispensers, a nice touch 

[smeds]

Fuel dump pipe under rudder is MIA 

[NARSES2]

Very very nice 👌 👍 😊 ☺️

Indeed 

[DogfighterZen]

    

[Devilfish]

Fuel dump pipe under rudder is MIA 

We have a winner!!!