DonH

Looks very nice! You could have easily fooled me regarding the “tinted” canopy.

Pete, thanks and I share your sadness. I spent many a happy hour watching 56 and 74 flying around Wattisham back in the day.

One thing I suggest doing differently: I don't see any need to paint orange on the underside of the wings - the instructions show the decals wrapping round the leading edges and showing some orange underneath. In practice, that is not the case. There is some orange required on the lower part of the intake ducts but not under the wings.

I used a 1:1 mix of Tamiya XF-59 (Desert Yellow) and X-6 (Orange) - I think.

Thanks! You can't go wrong with the Syhart decals. Just be careful with the paint mix. I ignored the Syhart recommendations and mixed mine by eye.

Sorry John, they scrapped it. I think there would be a long queue of people who want to look after it. I have a Fiat G.91 in tiger stripes also. They certainly make very striking schemes and a nice contrast to grey on grey.

I totally agree! When I saw that Syhart did the decals, I jumped at it. The best part is, it's a relatively easy paint job, the decals do most of the hard work. Thanks, I get to look at it all day tomorrow as I am working from home

Yes, correct. It never flew, which is sad, Thanks! I enjoyed it a lot.

This is the 1/48 Hasegawa FGR.2 kit with Syhart decals. I can't praise the decals high enough, they were/are brilliant. Looking at this in my cabinet, I can't stop grinning.

XV404 is done! I really enjoyed assembling this kit and I was really pleased with the look of the kit seats once I had added a few details. Mixing the "right" shade of orange was an easy challenge and the decals were brilliant.Going to put some pics in the RFI section.

Probably have to mix that with a splash of RLM number 1.

I'm going to be following this one, for sure. Just pulling up a chair next to the bar.

I am surprised at how good this kit looks. You are, no doubt, making it look better than I could. I am impressed with the detail of the moulding and the recessed panel lines etc.

Further research on the intake colour (staring at internet pictures) reveals that the bottom lip of the intake was orange at least up to the FOD cover. That makes me suspect that the outer vertical wall was also orange rather than black but I have no evidence to support that. It is possible/likely that the inner wall of the intake was black. I would say that the pictures suggest black although that could just be shadow. As I am adding (black) FOD covers, it is slightly academic. I suspect that the intakes behind the FOD covers were black and the front edges were orange. Almost total speculation but that is what tinternet is for. Interesting that I have seen many pictures of "normal" Phantoms where shadows make the intakes look black. Funny old world 'innit?

Tiger got stripes! I am VERY happy with the outcome. As I have said before, these Syhart decals are brilliant and I can highly recommend them. Next up, gloss coat to seal in the decals and then some touch ups and finishing touches.

I pulled the trigger and ordered a belly strap from Flying Leathernecks. My question is, did the F-4J (UK) have a belly strap fitted prior to delivery? If not, no big deal, I will use the strap on the next Spey Phantom I build. I will hold off on priming this bird until my delivery arrives so my attention will turn to scratching and details.

Thanks! It’s always nice to hear about people who know because they were there. I have a few photos that clearly show black FOD covers and I have a set ready to fit.

Hi Ben, Yes, the lack of stencils and no metal surfaces are an added bonus for me. I have black FOD covers ready to fit but may have to add a bit of black paint to the intakes to sort any gaps betwixt and between said covers.

Yum, I like that a lot!!!

Yet another beautiful build. I am really enjoying watching this all come together.

Hi Ben, I agree it would be great to know more. XV404 never flew in this livery, which is a real shame, it would have been a show stopper! This particular build is part of my "Hello & Goodbye" set of Hasegawa Phantoms. I am also building an F-4J (UK) as ZE363 as it appeared part way through its delivery flight. It was the first F-4J (UK) to have a black tail. That particular build is partway through primer but still some way to go on the details in the cockpit and the seats.

I think you are correct. Mine will have the intake covers fitted. Out of interest, how do you know for sure that they were black? Photos I have seen are a little inconclusive, although tending towards black in my view. Did you have more intimate knowledge of XV404? It would be great to know.

Moving on nicely, these decals are excellent. There's just a lot of them. Now, I only have all the fuselage stripes to put on... I have a couple of days of work this week, so may get some more done in between the chores. Later Don

Brilliant! Thanks, this is such a useful reference.

I remember your angst about the air bleed louvres (or whatever they are called). They look superb under a coat of primer and the whole fuselage has that "do not mess with me" rugged good looks of a Spey Phantom. You could delay the cockpit to work on the wings...