VMFA – 122 “CRUSADERS” Phantom F-4B

While opening the cockpit-hatches Lt. F. Hall made a safe MOREST-landing at Chu Lai, Vietnam 1969, in a VMFA – 122 “CRUSADERS” Phantom F-4B.
The MOREST landing system was frequently used when planes had technical failures.

This F-4B is armed with 3 gun pods and 4 rocket pods. Marines VMFA 122 was the only unit which used three gun pods as a standard configuration.

Lt Hall and Lt Mitchell crash landed in a F-4B bur.no 150653, at Chu Lai on June 19th 1970 as a result of an asymetric ordnance load, which couldn’t be compensated by the pilot. Both pilots survived the accident.

Some 4 years ago I bought the resin update set to create a correct F-4B. For years in was on my shelf as I it proved that IT WOULD BE A HELL of a job to get it all in the right place. But than some months ago I decided to give it a go…

The model is a Tamiya F-4J, rebuilt to a F-4B late with resin flat topside wings and top fin by CAM. Also the wheels are by CAM, these wheels are needed as they are much smaller than f.i. the ones of the F-4J, the resin wheeldoors are also absolutely flat.
The gun pods are made from Revell pods but changed with complete new front ends. The rocket pods are “stolen” from the Italeri 1/35 UH-1C Mekong Raider.
The pilots are remodelled to give them a better seat, as f.i. the RIO has his right hand on the joystick wich is in a F-4B on the righthand side and not in the centre of the instruments. Decals are also a CAM product but I changed the planes burno. which belonged to a F-4B late
Ground figures are from Verlinden. Paints used are from Tamiya.