F-4E Phantom II AUP HAF Aegean Ghost — Technical Details & Modeling Guide
Introduction
The McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II AUP represents the modernized version of the Phantom operated by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF). The Peace Icarus 2000 upgrade introduced new avionics, an updated cockpit and expanded weapon capabilities, while retaining the aircraft’s characteristic design.
This guide focuses on the technical details required to accurately model the Greek F-4E AUP, including its cockpit, external features, weapons, camouflage and available kits and accessories.
1. AUP Technical Features
The Peace Icarus 2000 program upgraded 36 Greek F-4E aircraft. Major improvements included the AN/APG-65GY radar, multifunction displays (MFDs), a head-up display (HUD), updated navigation and communication systems, and an improved weapons control system.
For modelers, the main areas of interest are:
Cockpit: Updated front and rear instrument panels, MFDs and HUD.
External antennas: DIAS/ALQ-126 electronic countermeasure antennas and IFF antennas.
Formation lights: Low-intensity lights, commonly known as slime lights.
Wings: Check the outer-wing slats against photographs of the specific aircraft.
Landing gear and engines: Gear doors, wheels, hydraulic details and General Electric J79 exhaust nozzles.
The exact external configuration may vary between individual airframes.
2. Weapons and External Stores
The Greek F-4E AUP was upgraded to operate a wider range of weapons. Relevant systems for modeling include:
AIM-120 AMRAAM: Radar-guided air-to-air missile.
AIM-9 Sidewinder: Short-range air-to-air missile.
AGM-65G Maverick: Air-to-ground missile.
Rafael Litening II: Targeting pod.
GBU-10 and GBU-24: Laser-guided bombs.
Mk 80-series bombs: Conventional and training configurations, depending on the loadout.
Correct missile variants, launch rails, adapters and pylons are essential when reproducing a specific aircraft. The presence of a weapon in a kit does not necessarily mean it was carried in every operational configuration.
3. Aegean Ghost Camouflage
The Aegean Ghost scheme is one of the defining features of Greek Phantom aircraft. The four principal Federal Standard colors used as modeling references are:
| FS 36320 | FS 36307 | FS 35237 | FS 36251 | |
| Dark Ghost Gray | Light Sea Gray | Medium Blue Grey | Aggressor Gray | |
| Scheme | ||||
| Heater-Ferris | Splinter | Splinter | Splinter | Splinter |
| Color matches | ||||
| Gunze Aqueous | H307 | – | H337 | – |
| Gunze Mr Color | C307 | – | C337 | C395 |
| Humbrol | 128 | – | 145 | – |
| Model Master | 1741 | 1726 | 1721 | 1794 |
| Revell | – | – | – | – |
| Tamiya | – | – | – | – |
| Vallejo Model Air | 71.120 | – | 71.114 | 71.274 |
| Vallejo Model Color | 70.615 | – | 70.905 | – |
| AKAN | 72030 | 77101 | 72043 | 6/72007 |
| AK Interactive | AK 2058 | AK 2055 | AK 2056 | AK11885 |
| AK Real Colors | RC251 | RC250 | RC237 | RC917 |
| AMMO by Mig | A.MIG-208 | – | A.MIG-210** | A.MIG-228 |
| Colourcoats | ACUS40 | – | ACUS38 | (ACUS08) |
| Hataka | HTK-_035 | HTK-_266 | HTK-_046 | HTK-_157 |
| Lifecolor | UA 027 | UA 113 | UA 145** | UA 034 |
| Mission Models | MMP-074 | MMP-075 | MMP-072 | MMP-071 |
| Mr Paint | MRP-97 | MRP-245 | MRP-105 | MRP-94 |
| Xtracolor | X135 | X134 | X126 | X132 |
| Xtracrylix | XA1135 | – | XA1126 | XA1132 |
FS 37038 Black and silver finishes should be used only on the specific components where photographic references support their application.
For paint equivalents across different manufacturers, see the GModel Art Aegean Ghost Camouflage Guide.
The camouflage scheme was also used on Greek Phantoms before the AUP upgrade, so the paint scheme alone does not identify an aircraft as an AUP.
4. Model Kits and Accessories
MENG F-4E Phantom II AUP — 1/48
The MENG LS-021 kit is specifically dedicated to the Hellenic Air Force F-4E AUP and provides a suitable starting point for this subject.
Zoukei-Mura F-4E — 1/48
The Zoukei-Mura kit can be adapted using a dedicated AUP conversion set. The Scale in Detail / Zeus Projects conversion set for the Zoukei-Mura SWS4815 includes cockpit upgrades, antennas, formation lights and AIM-120 adapters. Check the exact kit compatibility before purchasing.
Hasegawa F-4E — 1/48
The Hasegawa kit is another possible starting point. The required cockpit and external modifications depend on the specific boxing and accessories used.
Decals and Stencils
Dedicated Aegean Ghost stencil sets provide maintenance markings, warning labels and walkways in appropriate shades. Zeus Projects offers a 1/48 F-4E Aegean Ghost Complete Stencils set designed for MENG, Zoukei-Mura and Hasegawa kits.
Conclusion
Accurate modeling of the F-4E Phantom II AUP HAF Aegean Ghost depends on the correct cockpit configuration, external antennas, weapon loadout, camouflage colors and aircraft-specific markings.
The MENG kit offers a dedicated starting point, while conversion sets and aftermarket decals allow further refinement of other suitable kits. Photographs of the individual aircraft remain the key reference for confirming its exact configuration.
F-4E Phantom II SRA 68-0424 HAF – Hasegawa 1/48 Scale Model
