338 Squadron 'Ares' Goes Pholkel 2019
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® Aviation Project designed the paint scheme for Hellenic Air Force (HAF) 338 Squadron 'Ares' Goes Pholkel 2019 F-4E AUP Phantom II. This is a special paint scheme for the participation of 338ers in RNLAF Open Days - “Luchtmachtdagen 2019” which took place at Volkel Air Base on June 14-15, 2019.
We are proud to present photos of the making off process under the license of Hellenic Air Force 338 Squadron 'Ares' :
Step by step photos of the making off process. Copyright © HAF 338 Squadron 2019.
THE CONCEPT
When this aviation project started in mid March 2019 the first thing designed was the official emblem, meant to be an embroidered patch, depicturing Spooky wearing yellow traditional Dutch clogs and carrying a gun with a tulip in its barrel. Obviously this setup is honoring the hosting country which was our main objective highlighting in parallel the peaceful purpose of the Phantom’s flight in that case. On top of that the motto “338 SQN GOES PHOLKEL” popped as an idea. Initially by Erwin Meier an aviation enthusiast friend and admirer of 338 Squadron as “338 SQN GOES VOLKEL”. Later on Major Stergios Farsantian who acted as the mission commander for the flight from Greece to the Netherlands proposed to take advantage of the pronunciation of Volkel AB combined with Phantom culture related “Ph” letter so that is how the unique slogan “338 SQN GOES PHOLKEL” meant to accompany the mission from the very beginning.
About the special airplane paint scheme the saying of Julius Caesar “Si vis pacem, para bellum” (translated as "If you want peace, prepare for war") was the basic idea behind the overall setup. The phrase alone is used above all to affirm that one of the most effective means to ensure peace is to be armed and well trained to defend oneself. Setting together the Ancient Greek God of War “Ares” (call sign of 338 Sqn) with the peaceful Phantom Spooky the goal was achieved. Design started late May 2019 and as preplanned implementation was completed two days before pair’s flight to Volkel AB. S/N of the specially decorated HAF F-4E AUP Phantom II aircraft is 01507. The second of the pair flying to Volkel Air Base for “Luchtmachtdagen 2019” was S/N 71758.
WING TANKS
The painting process of the wing tanks was based on the production of stencils in several layers as shown in the above photos (thumb photos # 1-8). Blue & white were used to represent the Greek national flag colors and orange color to symbolize the hosting country (as known orange is the color of the Dutch Royal Family). Some important details are: the Dutch tulip forming the letter 'Q' of abbreviation word SQN (thumb photo # 3) and the Latin number II pointing to Phantom II. Latin II has been internally decorated by the shape of Athens FIR (Flight Informational Region) area as daily protected by HAF (thumb photo # 4). The Artwork Team was consisted by three (3) pilot officers and Aviation Project representative:
- Lieutenant John Kotzagiannis aka “Kotzila”
- Lieutenant Xenofon Mokkas aka “Smokky”
- Lieutenant Dimitris Skouras aka “Rambo”
- Sotiris Kakaletris aka “Soka”.
Our names were honorarily painted on the inner side of right wing tank (thumb photo # 6).
RUDDER DECORATION
The rudder decoration was based on stickers covering the biggest percentage of the tail area as shown in the above photos (thumb photos # 9-12). Left side represented Ares the ancient Greek God of war. Observe the Athens FIR boundaries around the map of Greece and HAF roundel pointing Andravida Air Base on the same map (thumb photo # 11).
Right side represented peacemaking Spooky the worldwide known mascot of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II aircraft. Peace and War harmoniously coexisted in the two sides of the F-4 AUP in a bipolar expression of the central project’s concept.
This presentation, the original artwork and contained photographs are protected by Greek and European copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the above mentioned material without written permission of the coyright holder is prohibited. All rights Reserved.
We would like to specially thank HAF 338 Squadron 'Ares' Commander, LtCol Panos Nousias, the Squadron's Chief engineer Major Alexandros Kokkonis, as well as the artwork team members John, Xenofon & Dimitris and of course rest of Squadron's personnel for their trust and precious help!!!
