This is my 154th Phantom built and on display on ARC. Again (as almost
always) built for a group build. This time Captured aircraft.
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This model is built out of the box, but uses some VERY nice decals from IMPACT decals. The sheet I used is for VMFA-531, it contains markings from aircraft used in the early 50s till just before the arrival of Hornets. Best of all it contained several Phantom options. This is the second option from this decal sheet I have built.
The "real" plane broke down on a exercise back in the 70's. Landed on
HMS Ark Royal instead of its home base of USS Forrestal. The plane for what ever reason could not be repaired before the Ark was due in Malta.
At that time there was some anti US sentiments, the British being the
sensible people they are repainted the tail so that from the shore and the way the aircraft was positioned it would look like one of theirs
instead of a USMC machine. Of course they covered the American national markings with tape and cardboard just to be sure. Once the plane was
fixed and at sea again it was launched home with its nice new tail.
"phantom"
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