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After some trial and error I've managed to sort a few photos of my finished Airfix toom... my first proper 'plane kit in 30 years or so. Quite enjoyed the experience and there's a work in progress thread that I used to track my "build"... but this will do for now. One mistake I made at the end was to paint the flightpath etch steps in yellow (because that's what the instructions said to do) but these should instead be a dark red.... which they now are, and awaiting some gloss varnish to seal and give some gleam. I'll grab a few photos once that's all sorted. Anyway... crit welcome... and yes, its a bit clean underneath; it's just had a wash 😉 Phantom 2 by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Phantom 1 by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Phantom in profile by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Phantom 3 by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Airfix 1:72 Phantom upper and lower by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr XT864 upper view by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr XT864 Starboard front quarter by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Thanks also for all the comments and support that I received during the build. It's what these forums are for.... thanks one and all Jonathan

I have really got into the scale modelling doldrums this year and am in danger of ending 2019 having just finished one kit in the year. That isn't good! I have decided that I want to build something fairly straightforward and thin the stash out so I have chosen this kit: IMGP3285 by Michael Baldock, on Flickr It is the Italeri 1/48th F-4S Phantom which was released sometime in the very early 90's. It is a very basic kit with raised panel lines, quite rigid plastic, and probably a fifth of the parts of a modern Zoukei-Mura offering. I bought it on eBay 12 years ago for a fiver so that might be a tenth of the Z-M offering 😉 The obligatory view of what is in the box: IMGP3286 by Michael Baldock, on Flickr The Italeri boxed Phantom line has been interesting over the years because they have used the old ESCI moulds and also appear to have had a tie-in with Testors in the USA. This F-4S kit uses the same core parts as their F-4E, F-4G and maybe RF-4C Testors based offerings of the 1980's whereas their ESCI based Phantoms appeared from the early noughties. Personally I think that the ESCI based Phantoms are by far the better kits. Back to the kit, what can I build? IMGP3297 by Michael Baldock, on Flickr It isn't a sophisticated set of decals but I do like the choices, USN VF-151 and USMC VMFA-321 birds in the final TPS paint scheme used before these old gals went to the boneyard. I do have several items to add to the build: IMGP3287 by Michael Baldock, on Flickr I will be using AK Interactive acrylic paints for airbrush, a SuperScale decal set dated 2006 focused on VF-103, and maybe some unused parts from an Academy F-4B kit. Testors or Italeri? All will be revealed 🙂 Michael

After three days applying the decals, and a few fit issues around the intakes, she's finally complete! It's a great kit with loads of options but test fitting is a must, it's quite complicated in parts, though generally it was nice to make. The detail is amazing and those stencils and decals really bring it to life! I chose the 767 Sqn option as something a bit different as most photos and models I've seen are 892, but I like the yellow bird and big codes on the fuselage sides. I used spray cans because I'm rubbish at brush painting, and although I'm happy with the colours I'm wondering if the EDSG is just a tad too glossy? Not sure how much weathering to add. Overall though it's an impressive kit and a nice addition to my FAA shelf. All comments and suggestions for improvement more than welcome!

Hi all and another blast from the past finished for the recent Frog GB here. Build thread is here but to recap: Kit: Frog F-4K/M Phantom Scale: 1/72 Paints: Halfords plastic primer, Revell Acyrlics, Flory Models wash, Klear, W&N Satin varnish Build: Small panel line rescribe. Scratchbuilt engine doors. Seats, cockpit & canopy from Italeri F-4S Decals: From the kit with some extras from the spares With an equally ancient Airfix F-4 I built a couple of years back. Good fun and looks like a Phantom from across the room! Thanks for looking and happy modelling. Cheers, Dermot

The model I've always wanted to do. It's nice, it's old, but I always like the Phantom Italeri. I am pleased with the end result. Here's the picture.

The second of this years finished Phantoms and this one is from Eduards Good Morning Da Nang kits. This one is VF111 'Sundowners' from the USS Coral Sea March 1972. These kits from Eduard are great - with all the aftermarket you need and a great range of options as regards schemes. I bought this for £39 at the time! Back in the day when I was collecting die cast I had the Corgi version of this machine but I never thought it did it justice and always planned to try and do a version in 1:48 The decals are great although as with any phantom the stencils are tedious! Paints are Mr Color and Alclad for the metal parts. It is number 6 of 6 F4's I have built and I have two more to do at some point

I am like many of you a huge Phantom fan and have built a number of the years. This is from the Eduard Rockin Rhino kit that I have been meaning to build for a couple of years. I chose this scheme as I think it looks great and it is VF-92 'Silver Kings' from the USS Constellation in 1973 and is a J model Phantom. Its a great kits with no issues. Paints are mainly Mr Color with some Alclad and all the aftermarket came in the box.

Hello As I am building an F-4E Kurnass for the Phantom STGB I am asking here the same question : I am planning to hang under the centerline of my Kurnass a MER with 5 M-117 bombs. I have the MER from the Hasegawa generic box 72-1 but I wonder how is it hung. Inside much of the Phantom kits there is only a big fuel tank with its dedicated pylon. Is the MER directly attached under the aircraft belly or by the way of a special pylon? Cheers. Patrick

Aftermarket decals and RBFT and ladder!!

XV480 was delivered to the RAF in August 1969, initially serving with numbers 6 and 41 squadrons before a spell at Wildenrath with 19 and 92 squadrons. She transferred to 56 squadron at Wattisham in the mid 80s and remained with the Firebirds until being withdrawn from use in September 1991. I was very impressed with this kit, I think better modellers than me could get an absolute beauty out of this. It goes together really well with very little filler required and the shape looks spot on to me. If you make a grey one without the coloured tail as I did, remember to carefully trim away the very thin white lines around the fin flash decals. I made mine oob, except for the red 'I' fin code and a tiny aerial under the rear fuselage which is so small you can't really see it. For the dummy Skyflash and ACMI round I just cut the fins off missiles. Any comments welcome as I have another in the stash (and tempted for a third to do as a green/grey FG1!).

Made OOB except for the PJ Productions pilots and Tamiya masking tape seatbelts. Finished using mostly Tamiya acrylics. Vents on the intakes were sprayed on as they are missing from the Airfix kit. The only issues concerned the decals. The top and bottom intake louvres are wrongly numbered end up with the bottom louvres on top. Also the sharks teeth decal is missing the top row of teeth. I e-mailed Airfix about this and they are going to address it on the next run apparently. The lowe rwing roundels were changed for an earlier design set from the stash as most photos I have seen from this period seemed to retain the older design. Finished in 2 Sqn colours from the mid 1970's at Laarbruch. Mounted on a scrap piece of kitchen worktop that has been oiled and polished. Can be mounted on brass rod or on it's wheels using this method https://www.scalespot.com/reference/stands/stand.htm . Feel free to comment, criticise or generally pull to pieces

Phantom FGR.2 (04962) 1:48 Revell Following a period of cancellations and upheaval in the UK aircraft industry the Royal Navy & Royal Air Force found themselves lacking capability in the 1960s. The decision was taken to purchase the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom already in use in the US. An F-4K (FG.1) version was developed for the Navy and an F-4M (FGR.2) for the Air Force. These aircraft were not the same as the US ones as it was agreed that larger and more powerful Rolls Royce Spey engines would be fitted and the radars would be built under license by Ferranti. While the F-4J was the basis for the UK models the fuselage was redesigned by BAC to accommodate the larger engines. These changes would mean that the unit costs would more than treble over the F-4J. Due to changes in the Navy 20 aircraft originally ordered were transferred to the RAF, then in 1978 following the loss or HMS Ark Royal all remaining Naval aircraft were turned over to the RAF. The Kit This is a reboxing of Hasegawa's kit from the 1980s. this is still the only injected plastic kit in 1.48 scale of a British Phantom. Despite its age this is still a good kit. Revell last reboxed this kit in 2004 and it has always been sought by modellers for its better price and better decals than the original Hasegawa kits. The kit comes on 7 sprues of grey plastic and one clear sprue. Construction starts in the cockpit. The seats are made up first. These come without belts and are fairly simple as they are designed to be used with the kits pilot figures. The cockpit tub is then built up. Instrument panels, bulkheads and side consoles are fitted to make a complete assembly. The front wheel well is also fitted under the cockpit. Once this is made up it can be put inside the fuselage, and the fuselage closed up. On each side then the intakes can be assembled. Next up construction moves to the wings. The lower section contains the centre section, and the left & right uppers contain the folding parts at the ends of the wing. Separate flaps are provided which can be modelled up or down. The wings can then be attached to the fuselage. At the rear the engine exhausts and tail top fairings are then added. The auxiliary inlet doors are added along with the tailplanes. At the front the nose cone is made up and added. The landing gear is then made up and added. The front has twin tyres while the mains one large one. Each gear leg has its own retraction struts and doors to add. On the underside the air brakes are also added. Moving back to the top sides the intake ramps are added along with the 4 part canopy. The main canopies can be open or closed. For stores the kit supplies the main centre line tank and both wing tanks. Also for the centre line there is a 25mm gun pod and the large EMI reece Pod. Sparrow/Sky Flash missiles are provided for the fuselage, but while sidewinder rails are supplied for the wing pylons there are no missiles in the kit. Markings The new decal sheets which looks like it comes from Cartograf by the serial number features 3 aircraft wearing different schemes. XV470 - No. 56 Sqn RAF Wattisham, 1992 In the Later Grey Scheme. XV408 - No. 92 Sqn RAF Wildenrath, 1991 In the overall Blue anniversary scheme. XT898 - No. 2 Sqn RAF Laarbruch 1974 In the Grey / Green over light grey scheme. Conclusion It's a great to see this kit back in Revell's line up. The same plastic with much better decals, and dare we say at a much better price point. Highly recommended. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit or

Completed before the house move, this is off to the backseat as it depicts his farewell flight. The Hasegawa kit performed beautifully with an Aires and Eduard cockpit upgrade. Painted with Vallejo.

Hi friends , my last completed model. It is a Monogram's model in the Accurate Miniatures box. I am pleased that the model is made, so here's the picture. Enjoy.

This is the Monogram F-4D that, although an older kit (plastic helpfully stamped “1985”) is accurate and with some really nice detail moulded in, especially in the cockpit. The Monogram kit features fine raised detail, and generally goes together well with the exception of the intakes that take a bit of work but nothing ridiculous. Having read that the Monogram decals were a disaster when new (and the intervening 30+ years won’t have helped) I finished my Phantom with HiDecal decals for a Texas ANG machine in the Euro1 scheme, adding some Eduard Brassin AIM-7Es and AIM-9Js, and a SUU-23 from a Hasegawa weapon set. I painted the gun pod in the ADC gray more often associated with the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group F-4Cs to contrast with the Euro1 Scheme, which was only worn by their F-4Ds for a relatively short period. The HiDecal markings worked well, with good colour coverage in the tail flashes. The only problem was that one of the tail codes disintegrated on application so substitutes were found from an old set of Modeldecal post-war RAF 12” codes; the typeface isn’t 100% accurate but a pretty good match. The rest of the airframe markings came from an old Hasegawa sheet.

Kit manufacture: Hasegawa Scale: 1/72 Type: F-4E Phantom II Extras used: Brassin missiles, bombs and bomb racks Paints and colours used: Hataka European One paint set Finished this old kit today. Raised panel lines were sanded down. Minimal weathering added, as this was a trip back to child hood. Built this about 30 years ago. Great fun Best regards Rune Norway

Good day all. It is very unusual for me to post two builds in less than a week. In fact, it never happens, until today. Prior to to my 3 year break, there'd be a good month between posts. The timing of the photography session with my little 'warm up' Vampire post the other day, then finishing and photographing this one means it's ready to post. 😎 History: The last two Phantoms I made were a vintage Hasegawa IDF RF4E, and the wonderfully dodgy Matchbox F4K/M, built back when both they, and me, were nice and new. I think I build better than I did back then so there is something to be said for old age. 😓 This one is the Fujimi Fire Birds offering from 1989. It has been sitting in my stash since the mid 1990s bought secondhand when I toyed with the idea of restarting my modelling hobby. I didn't though, because restarting my hobby had to wait till 2013! 😭 With the release of the Airfix kit and following my recent build warm up, it was decided to finally get this one done. Still a nice kit of course and I don't feel the need to replace the Fujimi FG.1 in my stash with a newer Airfix one. I threw in some Quickboost resin seats, QMT resin wheels and those Master pitot tube sets just for the fun of it. The scheme is from Xtradecal sheet X72295 and represents a 92 Sqn FGR.2 on detachment to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, 1989. I also had a set of Airdoc stencils as well. I'm not sure when I bought them, but WHAT WAS I THINKING!! @##%%@ Phantom stencils! Where did my life go? Didn't I have better things to do? Anyway, here you go, thank you for your time. I feel I was still warming up a little as my current build is definitely going better than this Phantom did. 🤕 Phantom-FGR2_02 by Jonathan Macauley, on Flickr Phantom-FGR2_01 by Jonathan Macauley, on Flickr Phantom-FGR2_03 by Jonathan Macauley, on Flickr Phantom-FGR2_05 by Jonathan Macauley, on Flickr Phantom-FGR2_06 by Jonathan Macauley, on Flickr Phantom-FGR2_07 by Jonathan Macauley, on Flickr Phantom-FGR2_08 by Jonathan Macauley, on Flickr Phantom-FGR2_09 by Jonathan Macauley, on Flickr

Hallo again This will be my fourth Phantom in 1/48 scale. The S version. My first one of the US Navy and even my last one. The next will be a RF-4E from the IAF. This a/c will be from VF-151. It will be in grey (4 different tones). To achieve a good effect, I will use a basic black paint, with lightning the panel center. In addition, to get repair panels in different pre-shades. The externals I reduce to the centerline tank only, to show this interesting wing! Here I use (not correct) the left over brasin seat from the USAF. I hope to get it that way that the differences will not be shown. The oxygen gauge at the seat cushion I will cover with the harness. In the kit, the floor is very difficult designed for the uniform plastic ejection seat (the same at all versions!). This understructure I had to remove for the brasin seat. I wanted to use etched parts, but I lose all the 3D effect. Not at all! I will paint it. Well, so let us see, what it will look like. Until next time. Happy modelling

F-4 Phantom Undercarriage & Doors Replacement Sets 1:32 Aerocraft Models - For Revell Kit The 1/32 Revell F-4 is a good kit. However it is lacking in a couple of areas. These three new sets have been made by Ali of Aerocraft models. Main Gear Doors These are new main gear doors who's shape has been reworked to improve the look. They are direct replacements for the kit parts. Undercarriage Wheel Doors Set As well as the new main gear doors above there are new nose gear doors and their lights. These are direct replacements for the kit parts and work to improve them. Metal Undercarriage legs In this set you get new replacement cast brass undercarriage legs for the kit. The new parts are slightly shorter than the kit part to correct the stance of the kit and are direct replacements for the kit parts. The quality of the castings are some of the best I have seen and much better that other metal sets. A few bits of the original piping can be added back in if needed to improve the parts. Conclusion It is great to see Ali back in the game and this is certainly an interesting set of items for the Revell Phantom. Highly recommended. Review samples courtesy of

UK Phantom replacement Exhausts, Intake ramps & pylons. 1:72 Aerocraft Models - For Airfix Kit The new 1/72 Airfix UK Phantom was a very welcome kit. However it is lacking in a couple of areas. These three new sets have been made by Ali of Aerocraft models. All three sets come in a double style of packaging which is done to reduce the cost ratio for shipping. This though is a bad move which will encourage the modeller to buy more kits Exhausts The new exhausts are 3D printed and are a direct replacement for the kit parts. Detailed Intake Ramps The new ramps address the issue of the missing vents on the top and bottom of the intake ramps. Also included in the set are new inserts for the rear fuselage by the exhausts. A small amount of kit surgery will e needed for this set. Unarmed Inner & Outer Pylons In this set you get new unarmed inner and outer pylons for the Phantom. The inner pylons can have the sidewinder rails mounted or not. The outer pylon was used on some occasions when the tanks were not fitted. The mounting plates at the top of the pylons are included as well. The new parts are direct replacements for the kit parts. Conclusion It is great to see Ali back in the game and this is certainly an interesting set of items 1/72 with the new Airfix Phantom out there. Highly recommended. Review samples courtesy of

FH-1 Phantom 'US Navy' (72332) 1:72 Special Hobby The FD later FH-1 Phantom from McDonnell has always suffered from the fact its older brother the F4H-1 (later F-4) Phantom II has stolen most of the limelight associated with the "Phantom" name. Originally designed and first flown during WWII the aircraft was straight winged. The Phantom was the first Jet to land on a US Aircraft Carrier, and the first jet to be used by the US Marine Corps. Only 62 were made but the design lead into the follow on aircraft from McDonnell the F2H Banshee. These aircraft would position McDonnell as an important supplier to eh US Military. McDonnell must have thought a lot of the Phantom to bring the name back for the F-4. The Kit This is a new toolkit from Special Hobby. The kit arrives on three sprues of grey plastic, a clear spure, a small PE fret and a sheet of decals. Construction starts in the cockpit. The seat and instrument panel are made up with the panel as decal. PE belts are included for the seat. The cockpit floor also form the top of the front wheel well. The well sides are added along with the front and rear cockpit bulkheads. The cockpit can then be placed in the fuselage, the instructions recommend putting 3 grams of weight in the nose. Next up the engines and there trunking are built up. There are fan fronts and exhausts are added. Construction then moves to the wings. The main wheel wells must be built up ad added into the lower wing along with the intake trunking. The upper wings can then be added. The leading edge parts of the intake are then added. This is a nice touch so you don't have to clean up a seam in the intake area. The front landing gear is built up and added to the front along with the gear doors. This is then followed by the main units and their doors. The belly tank is then fitted along with the arrestor hook. To finish off the tail planes are added along with the engine exhausts and finally the canopy. Markings There are printed by Cartograf so there will be no issues there. You get 3 marking options with any colour you want as long as its Gloss Sea Blue! the markings, including extensive stencils are mainly white. R 112 - Bu 111778 VF-17A, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CV-42, March 1949 R 122 - Bu 111785 VF-17A, USS Saipan, May 1948 R 101 - Bu 111799 VF-17A, USS Coral Sea, May 1948 Conclusion It is great to see this over looked early jet now being injection moulded in 1/72. Highly recommended. Wheels If you want a liitle something else for you Phantom then through their CMK Line there is a set of resin replacement wheels available. Review sample courtesy of

Hi, a couple of days ago I released my first new "Made in Japan" product. I corrected the shape error on the aft fuselage on the otherwise great Zoukei Mura short nose Phantoms. There's a huge controversy among modellers whether or not the shape error matters, is visible, should be discussed bla bla bla.... The fact is, the error is there, I can see it, in particular next to other Phantom models, I want it corrected and I did something about it (rather than just scream booo hisss at the manufacturer...). So here it is - it's a whole new fuselage section so you need to cut the kit fuselage (but near fool-proof cutting guide strips are provided) and do a bit of sanding/blending on the remaining plastic. Again, whether or not you deem this worth the trouble is up to you. I also added some finer detail to the chaff/flare bucket doors. Installed: Detail: Cheers! Jeffrey

Hi Guys Two new sets are available are now available for the Airfix Phantom, but could be used with other manufactures kits as well. Parts layout for Pylons, 12 parts shown but twice that will be supplied, so you will get two of each variation of the inner pylon, and four outer pylons assembled pylon options, 2 each of inner pylon (at top), 2 each of inner pylon (in middle) 4 each of outer pylon (at bottom) New resin exhaust compared to kit part Please visit Aerocraft Models website here http://www.aerocraftmodels.com

Dear Brit modellers, This is my 3rd model this year, the awesome F-4J Phantom II by Zoukei Mura. The kit is really awesome, Full of details and all parts fits together without gaps. Aditionally I've purchased several aftermarkets: Pilot & operator crew with ejection seats by Aerobonus Resin Exhaust noozles by Eduard Wheels by Eduard With this model I've tried for the first time to use oil washes to cover the pane lines.

Hi, I'm in the process of building a number of East Anglian based Phantoms and am in the painting stages on some of them. One of the machines I'm doing is a 48th TFW F-4D 65-0721 from the Xtradecal sheet. This is one of several aircraft which, for some reason, were finished in the two standard greens plus a rather sickly-looking colour which varies between a pea green or greenish tan in the photos I've seen. In the few places where I've seen it mentioned, it has been stated that the colour is FS 34201, which I have in the paint stash. Before I go ahead, is it known for sure that 34201 is indeed the correct (but wrong!) colour? I can't find anything that really confirms it. Incidentally, two of the 48th TFW options on the Xtradecal sheet show the so-called 3-tone green scheme. I've seen a number of photos of '721 which clearly show that it is in this scheme, but the only photo I can find of the other option (65-0659) whilst serving with the 48th is most certainly in the standard SEA scheme. I have seen photos which show that there were some other machines finished in the 3-tone green scheme, both in the 48th and also 81st TFWs. There's one pic of an ex-48th machine (just before it was sent to Torrejon in Spain) which has had the incorrect green repainted on the tail fin only in the correct 30219, and makes for an interesting subject! Finally, I'm sure I read a while back that the reason for the 3-tone green finish was that the paint was mis-labelled, but I haven't been able to find any further reference to it. I know it doesn't really matter, but I just don't like not knowing! Cheers, Mark. p.s. whilst on the subject of greens, I seem to remember that the old Humbrol Authentic representation of 34079 was darker and slightly bluer than all the more modern representations of this colour, not to mention my FS 595a book. Now, while I know that you shouldn't trust memory or old photos, I have quite vivid memories of seeing a noticeably darker 34079 that looks an awful lot like the old Humbrol Authentic colour and plenty of 70s-era photos tend to back this up. I'm kinda tempted to try to replicate this on at least one of the Phantoms I'll be building, just out of curiosity.