Osprey Publishing continuous to expand the fledging series “Air Vanguard”. This new series is focused on a specific airframe, different versions/models and a brief detail of operational service of the aircraft under scrutiny. This volume (number 7 of the series) focuses on the USAF F-4 Phantom II.

Based on the premise of this series, there are sections devoted to the airframe, engine, fuel system and armament. Specifically there are sections devoted to the F-4C, F-4D, F-4E, F-4F, and F-4G. It also includes sections on the reconnaissance versions of the above marks and special sections for license build/modifications for the Israeli and Japanese air forces. There are also a few short sections on special prototypes and test-bed airframes.

Each section is well written and has plenty of color pictures. The author is very objective, emphasizing both the strengths and weaknesses of the airplane.

About one third of the book is devoted to operational service of the Phantom with the USAF, Australia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Japan, Korea, Spain and Turkey. Considering how extensive the use of the aircraft has been, the author can only provide a high level description of the operational service of the aircraft. However, it adds interest to the reading and certainly proves the versatility of the Phantom, considering all the different roles it has been used by several different air forces.

The book also includes 8 color profiles, two full color illustrations of combat events, plus a two-page fold out cutaway of a F-4E showing the main components of the airplane.

This book is an objective summary of the service of the Phantom II in USAF, ANG and a close to a dozen air forces worldwide. It is not intended to be an in-depth study of the Phantom combat record, but a well-rounded publication covering airplane systems, weaponry and airframe evolution, plus a high level description of its impressive combat record.

I should point out this book does not cover the US Navy service of the Phantom II. I don’t see it as a shortcoming of the book; it is just a choice of the author to concentrate on the land-based models.

Recommended to modelers and aviation aficionados.

I would like to thank Osprey Publishing and IPMS/USA for the review sample.