Skip to main content

Free US delivery on orders $35 or over

Naval Phantoms

The Definitive Visual Guide to the US Navy's F-4 Squadrons

Naval Phantoms cover

Naval Phantoms

The Definitive Visual Guide to the US Navy's F-4 Squadrons

Quantity
Pre-order. Available Oct 06 2026
$65.00

Payment for this pre-order will be taken when the item becomes available

Description

The first complete illustrated reference to the paint schemes, markings, and visual detail of all the US Navy and Marine Corps F-4 Phantom squadrons that served at sea.

The F-4 Phantom was arguably the US Navy's greatest ever fighter, performing a multitude of roles at the heart of the fleet's carrier operations. Fourteen regular Carrier Air Wings operated the Phantom over more than two decades. Within each wing, each Phantom squadron had its own markings, and these typically changed with every deployment.

This book is the first complete illustrated guide to the aircraft's appearance in US Navy service, air wing by air wing, squadron by squadron, and deployment by deployment, covering everything from markings etymology to paint repairs, and including all the Marine Corps squadrons that also served at sea. With more than 300 original profiles, detail views, and action scenes by renowned illustrator and longtime Phantom enthusiast Mads Bangsø, their camouflage, stencilling, and evolving squadron markings are detailed, including special aircraft such as CAG birds. The appearance of the Phantom's numerous hardware upgrades is also detailed and illustrated, from chinpods to antennas.

Many years in the making, and including over 250 photos and data tables, this is the complete visual reference to the Phantom squadrons that served as the teeth of the US Navy from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Table of Contents

(subject to confirmation)
Introduction
Part I: Anatomy of the Phantom
Camouflage Evolution
Markings Etymology
Hardware Layout
Upgrades
Part II: The Carrier Air Wings
Deployments and Markings, Atlantic Fleet
Carrier Air Wing 3
Carrier Air Wing 6
Carrier Air Wing 7
Carrier Air Wing 8
Carrier Air Wing 17
Deployments and Markings, Pacific Fleet
Carrier Air Wing 2
Carrier Air Wing 5
Carrier Air Wing 9
Carrier Air Wing 11
Carrier Air Wing 14
Carrier Air Wing 15
Bibliography and Further Reading

Product details

Published Oct 06 2026
Format Hardback
Edition 1st
Extent 400
ISBN 9781472869418
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated with more than 300 colour illustrations and 250 colour and b&w photos.
Dimensions 12 x 9 inches
Series General Aviation
Short code GNA
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Mads Bangsø

Mads Bangsø is an aviation artist with many years…

Resources

Book Vote

Tell us what titles you would like to see published by Osprey, then vote for your favourites in our monthly book vote!

Related Titles

Sign up for Osprey membership for access to thousands of plane profiles, maps, battle scenes and more. Plus up to 30% off website purchases