Description

The book thoroughly describes the development of this machine from the 1958 prototype to the F-4E that was the ultimate fighter bomber version, and the RF-4E, one of the best photo reconnaissance platforms ever produced. There is a special section on the F/RF-4E users describing facts and figures of its operators around the world with tens of previously unpublished photos featuring interesting aspects of their career.
Particular attention is given to the Phantom colours describing all schemes and variations from the Vietnam War era camouflage to the modern low visibility schemes with 30 colour profiles and 4 view scale linear drawings by R. Caruana complementing this section.

The main strongpoint of this volume though is once more the photo walkaround section. More than 400 full colour photos cover every aspect of the aircraft, its systems, its power plant and its armament. Plenty of cockpit detail and open access panel photos will definitely fulfil the most extreme super detailer requirements. All differences between the variants are comprehensively presented as well as many late life modifications and updates. The captions are rich in technical details and thoroughly describe in a comprehensive way all aircraft systems, their role and how they work, so that the reader may better understand what made this revolutionary aircraft so unique for its time and even for today.

It is an essential reference book not only for the modeller but for the aviation enthusiast as well, who wishes to learn more about the technology, the history and the operational life of one of the most successful aircraft ever designed.