AOA Decals has provided the IPMS/USA Review Corps with a wonderful decal set for Vietnam War-era markings for the US Marine Corps F-4B/F-4J Phantom. This is part one of a two-part set you can purchase from AOA Decals for the Phantom (72-014 & 72-015).

This 1/72 decal sheet covers six USMC F-4 Phantom squadrons during the Vietnam War:

• VMFA – 115 Silver Eagles – Da Nang, South Vietnam, 1970-71, RTAB Nam Phong, Thailand, 1972, and MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, 1971 & 1973-74
• VMFA – 212 Lancers – Dan Nang, South Vietnam, 1972, and MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI, 1972
• VMFA – 232 Red Devils – Chu Lai, South Vietnam, 1969, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, 1969-70, Da Nang, South Vietnam, 1972, and RTAB Nam Phong, Thailand, 1972-73
• VMFA – 314 Black Knights – Chu Lai, South Vietnam, 1968-69
• VMFA – 323 Death Rattlers – Chu Lai, South Vietnam, 1967-68
• VMFA – 334 Falcons – Da Nang & Chu Lai, South Vietnam, 1968-71, and MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, 1969.

In the Package

There are three decal sheets provided. Nineteen versions of over twelve aircraft of the USMC Vietnam War F-4B/F-4J Phantoms are in this set! The main sheet provides tail markings, bureau numbers, and squadron markings for specific Phantoms. The second & third sheet, 72-016 ($11.50 if purchased separately), has common data/stencil/walkway decals and compliments the first sheet. With all three sheets, you can build one complete F-4B or F-4J Phantom.

There are four colored pages (or eight front and back) of great instruction, illustrations, and information about decal placement and notes for each aircraft. For those who appreciate adding stencils to an airplane, this will be a daunting but rewarding task due to the hundreds of decals to be applied.

The decals are produced by Cartograf and are in perfect registry with vibrant colors and with barely any clear film edging. The print quality is excellent.

Bonus: For more build information, AOA Decals’ website also gives you ordnance loadout information per squadron and time frame so you can build your Phantom more historically accurately.

Conclusions

There a so many decal options for a Vietnam-era USMC F-4B/F-4J Phantom it may inspire you to build multiple jets. The markings are perfect and colorful. If you are a fan of USMC Phantoms, then this is a must-buy.

I want to thank AOA Decals for providing this wonderful decal set and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review.

Highly Recommend to EVERYONE!