![]() The Shamrocks would deploy aboard USS America (CVA-66) in 1972, picking up the only Marine MiG kill of the Vietnam War. Next came the F-8 Crusader– with which they ran hot pad alerts at GTMO during the Cuban Missile Crisis– and then the F-4 Phantom in 1966. Reformed during the Korean War as Marine Attack Squadron 333 (VMA-333), they transited quickly through the F6F Hellcat to the A-1 Skyraider and entered the jet age in 1957 with FJ-3 Fury jet fighters, again adding the “F” to their title to become VMF-333, after which adding the triple shamrock to their planes and going by the “Fighting Shamrocks” as well as the more commonly applied “Trip Trey.” Larkin Collection (COLL/791) at the Archives Branch, Marine Corps History DivisionĪdding an “F” designation to their name after transitioning to F4U Corsairs in late 1944, VMBF-333 was deactivated just two months after VJ-Day. Thanks to Academy and IPMS USA for the review sample.The original “Trip Trey” crest, circa 1943. Of course, for the advanced modelers, it can be highly detailed with after-market accessories. The kit goes together very well and the dimensions look correct by my eyes. The model received a Future over-coating for decals, and I must say the Cartograph sheet is great and extensive! The rear portion received a combo of Alclad and Testor lacquer metallic paints. I painted the underside with Tamiya spray matt white, the top side with Testor acrylic gull grey and acrylic insignia red for the unique USMC Red Devil planes. Dry fit the landing gear covers before final gluing, they will need a bit of sanding. I’d suggest decals be supplied for instrument panels for the next version. I followed the clear, concise instructions starting with the cockpit, which I dressed up with the Eduard Zoom kit though there is not much to be seen due to the closed cockpit. The kit includes the following external load options: 2 triple ejector racks, 6 Mk.82 500-pound bombs, 4 AIM-9 Sidewinders, 4 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 370-gallon outboard external tanks and a 600-gallon centerline tank.You get superb Cartograph decals for the following aircraft: The kit features: a basic cockpit, one-piece closed canopy, J79 engines at end of intake ducts. In less than 30 minutes, I had the entire fuselage snapped together, minus the land gear. This version can also be easily built as a snap, though it is not pre-painted. The surface detailing is finely scribed with no flash. ![]() This kit is molded in gray styrene with eight parts trees and one tree of clear parts. ![]() It was originally issued as a snap kit that featured multi-colored plastic requiring no painting. After later upgrades the F-4J was then re-designated as the F-4S.Īcademy has reissued their 1/72nd scale F-4J Phantom II kit with markings for VMFA-232 'Red Devils' stationed out of MCAS Iwakuni (Japan) 1974, and features great box art. Like the F-4B, the F-4J saw combat over Vietnam and would continue in service for quite a few years. It saw combat in Vietnam and continued to remain in the USN/USMC line up for years. The F-4J version used by the USN (and USMC) featured upgraded AWG-10 radar, J79-GE-10 engines, slatted tail surfaces and drooped ailerons. The F-4 Phantom needs no introduction, and has been a modeling staple for decades. ![]()
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