IsraDecal

1/72 Israeli Air Force F-4E and RF-4 decal sheet

Product # IAF-35 & IAF-36Also available in 1/48 and 1/32

Product Article by Yoav Efrati

   

IAF-35 F-4E IAF-36  RF-4 

    

 

 

IsraDecal sheet IAF-35 international camouflaged F-4E stencils     IsraDecal and Cartograf have pushed decal design and printing technology to it's limits in the a series of new decals for the F-4 Phantom. The decal reviewed is a 1/72 scale sample of a sheet that is applicable to F-4D/E Phantoms, this sheet is also offered in 1/48 and 1/32 scale. Another set has been produced which is applicable to RF-4C/E also available in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scales. To reduce costs the three sheets provided in each of the 1/32 sets has been printed by Micro Scale. The 1/72 scale and 1/48 scale sheets have been printed by Cartograf. Ra'anan Weiss has spent well over a year in seeking out photos and technical manuals of the Phantom to reproduce the almost 800 individual stencils applied to each F-4 Phantom that left the McDonnell Douglas production line.  

  Never before has any decal manufacturer provided all the stencils required to do Phabulous Phantom justice. Application of 800 stencils is a daunting task  on the 1:1 scale Phantom let alone which is impossible in 1/72 scale. The decals have been cleverly designed such that multiple stencils are offered on each clear backing perfectly laid out in their proper position. Gone are the days, and nights, of locating each individual stencil on the model. Complete coverage of the model is possible with the application of 125 decals with their stenciles already positioned for you.No more sleepless nights over a magnifying glass positioned over a Micro Scale instruction sheet! To aid in locating the clear film borders of each decal on its light blue backing paper, an A4 size instruction sheet clearly outlines each decal shape that corresponds to the decal's number printed on the instruction sheet and the decal backing. Once the desired decal is located, its position is laid out on four view line drawings.For the wing upper and lower surfaces optional stencils are provided for pre and post 1972 fiscal year production airframes (unslatted & slatted wings). Attention to detail does not end there, decals are also offered for the intake ducts, and landing gear doors and pylons. This sheet must be seen to be believed – using a strong magnifying glass. Each individual stencil can actually be read, even in 1/72 scale! Hat's off to Cartograf.Don't let IsraDecals title fool you, this sheet is not just applicable to the Israeli Air Force. It is applicable to all F-4C/E Phantoms other than those of the West German and Japanese air forces. 

Yoav

Photos and text © by Yoav Efrati