Double Ugly! Books

US Navy Phantoms Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Units
1960 – 2004

by Patrick Martinn and Andreas Klein with Roland Gakenholz

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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Double Ugly Books are a subsidiary of AirDOC, the German based publisher of high quality aviation books whose focus is modern (post 1950) military aviation.   This book is Volume 3 in Double Ugly’s “The Ultimate F-4 Phantom Collection!”

The book is logically laid out in that its first seven pages provide you with background information on the development of the F-4 and its lineage with brief descriptions of each different type from the two prototype F-4 H-1 machines through to the F-4S.  It also provides you with explanations the air wing identification code letters, the colours assigned to the fighter squadrons, as well as a run down on the why, what and where of the modex numbering system.  A précis of the colours worn by the F-4 in its life is provided with each of the (main) colours being referred to by its Federal Standard number as well as its given name.

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The following 151 pages are devoted to the coverage of each of the squadrons that operated the F-4.  This is done by providing (generally) a half to three quarter page of text that provides a history of the squadron and its usage of the F-4.  Following the history, you are provided with between one to four pages per squadron that contain previously unpublished photographs as well as colour profiles and images of the squadron’s insignia and its patches. The number of pages varies considering that some units operated several different versions of the F-4.

The squadrons covered are:

• VF-11 Red Rippers

• VF-14 Top Hatters

• VF-21 Freelancers

• VF-22L1 Naval Reserve

• VF-31 Tomcatters

• VF-32 Swordsmen

• VF-33 Tarsiers

• VF-41 Black Aces

• VF-51 Screaming Eagles

• VF-74 Be-Devilers

• VF-84 Jolly Rogers

• VF-92 Silver Kings

• VF-96 Fighting Falcons

• VF-101 Grim Reapers

• VF-102 Diamondbacks

• VF-103 Sluggers

• VF-111 Sundowners

• VF-114 Aardvarks

• VF-121 Pacemakers

• VF-142 Ghostriders

• VF-143 Pukin’ Dogs

• VF-151 Fighting Vigilantes

• VF-154 Black Knights

• VF-161 Chargers

• VF-171 Aces

• VF-191 Satan’s Kittens

• VF-194 Red Lightnings

• VF-201 Hunters

• VF-202 Superheats

• VF-213 Black Lions

• VF-301 Devil’s Disciples

• VF-302 Stallions

• Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron

• VAQ-33 Firebirds

• VC-7 Fleet Composite Squadron

• VX-4 Evaluators

• VX-5 Vampires

• Naval Air Weapons Station Point Mugu

• NMC Naval Missile Centre

• PMTC Pacific Missile Test Centre

• NWTS-PM Naval Weapons Test Squadron

• VX-30 Bloodhounds

• NPTC National Parachute Test Centre

• NWEF Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility

• NATC Naval Air Test Centre

• NADC Naval Air Development Centre

• NATF Naval Air Test Facility

I have commented before on the quality of the previous volumes in Double Ugly’s Phantom Collection and I make the same comments with this latest volume, the overall high quality of the glossy paper used, the manner in which the pages are laid out, as well as the superb sharp, clear full colour images is outstanding.

Whilst other books from AirDoc have been published with text in both the German and English languages, this one is English text only.

The book is hard back bound, A4 in size, and comprises 160 pages in all that hold over 350 exceptional full colour images (there are no black and white images at all).

An excellent book indeed and it also has the advantage of being written post the withdrawal of the F-4 from US Naval aviation and as such it captures the whole picture.

Modellers of the F-4 beware though that you will soon be searching through your stash and dragging out your F-4 kits and aftermarket accessories once you open its pages!

Thanks to AirDOC Publications for the sample.

AirDOC Publications may be viewed and purchased online from their website

Review Copyright © 2010 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 18 March, 2010
Last updated 8 February, 2011

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