Academy F-4J Phantom II




HISTORY:  In June of 1979, Midshipman  RJ Tucker reported to the USS Independence for his summer training cruise. Me and about 100 other midshipmen rotated through the various ship departments and embarked squadrons learning by doing junior officer tasks, drills, ship evolutions and standing watches. I spent a few days with VF-102 one of the 2 airwing fighter squadrons.  I sat in on an intelligence  and a mission brief, did some maintenance checks with a squadron junior officer, drank their coffee, watched a movie or two, and ate enough for 5 people* in the "dirty shirt" wardroom. This brief insight into naval air culture and routine served me well through my Navy career.  

A friend gave me this Academy kit about the same time  I received a Phantom decal sheet from CtA decals. When I saw the VF-102 scheme the memories of  that summer cruise came flooding back! So, here it is with: 

* AIM-9s from the Italeri weapons set

* CtA decal sheet No 23-Phantom shades of gray

* Wolfpak decal sheets 72-68 & 69- weapons decals 







RJ 

* Hey! I was a growin' boy then! 

REFS: 

1. Detail & Scale Vol. 12 F-4 Phantom II (part 3: USN & USMC versions) by Bert Kinzey, Aero Publications, Inc, California, USA, 1983. 

2.Fighter Squadron 102 (FITRON 102) VF-102 ‘Diamondbacks,    http://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VF/Fighter-Squadron-102.htm


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