John B

Wow! Those B&W images coupled with the spinning prop are truly convincing and inspiring. It is all built on a foundation of a solid model with good vignette details.

Wow. I could've used this information years ago.

I never even knew that this kit was produced and I wouldn't have immediately picked up from the images that it was 1/72nd scale. Your model indeed looks excellent. Those helos and that squadron in particular were a common sight in my life decades ago. Thank you for bringing those memories back to the surface.

@ SaminCam I'm seeing the same 'spacer.png' text when using Chrome. In Internet Explorer I see blank spaces. In Microsoft Edge, I CAN see the images. @ ZHOU Kun - Thank you posting your images comparing the Tamiya and AMK cockpits.

Wow! Nice tribute build! You're scratchbuilding techniques are on par with many "masters" used by aftermarket companies.

Wow! Those molds were designed 4 decades ago. In your hands, the finish looks very good. {My completely unbiased opinion. In full transparency, I've built at least 3 1/48 Monogram F-4Js that were based on those molds AND I'm a big Phantom Phan.}

I'm basically echoing everyone's compliments on this project - Lovely finish! The perfect balance of realistic weathering without going overboard. Your perseverance to finish a model with assembly issues comparable to a Hasegawa F-14 is extremely commendable. To that let me add a "Thank you for posting your in-progress pictures!" It's informative to read about build/fit issues on a kit, but seeing/reading the solutions to those problems are invaluable! 🤜🤛👏

Thanks everyone and fair points taken. I see different options - 1) Model with crew figures in cockpit with canopies closed. 2) Model with crew figures in cockpit with canopies open. 3) Model with crew outside cockpit. With the first 2 options, the figures would only be easily observed from the chest up. In that case, the proper helmet, anything on shoulders, anything on upper arms and the oxygen mask would be the items of interest to me. With the third option, the full kit would be the visible. Using the path of "least modelling effort", the first option would be the obvious choice. In that case, I need to find the appropriate "donor" figures for helmets, oxygen mask, etc. Can anyone double-check my reasoning on this approach? Are there any problems I'm not forseeing?

You posted it first, but I had the same thought. I imagine quite a few married guys had the same thought! @iainpeden What's wrong with a man having that many Phantoms? Have you seen how many pairs of women's shoes are donated to charity? You, Sir, are living the dream of a lot of folks.

Wow. I remember the original boxing of that kit on the store shelves 3 (4???) decades ago. I've built at least 3 versions of models from that kit and struggled with the fit on the forward fuselage every time. You persevered and applied a very convincing finish faithful to iconic movie image. Well done, Sir! 👏

Does anyone know of a 1/48 figure set appropriate for the Phantom FG 1 when operated by the Royal Navy? The crew figures in the Hasegawa/ Revell of Germany Phantom FGR 2 appear to be the "standard" crew figures that Hasegawa used in all of their other Phantom releases.

Simply gob-smackingly fan-flippin-tastic!

Wow those stand bases are amazing. Are the custom-made ones 3-D printed or carved from wood? The F6F stand is a clever mini-diorama. Is the smoke/flame trail emanating from the J2M also 3-D printed?

Such an evocative design. It made such a splash on the cover of aviation magazines of the time. Perhaps it was ahead of it's time since the Piaggio P.180 Avanti is successful enough to still in production and they seem to cater/have catered towards the same market? Thank you billn53 for posting images of what was still (at the time) a flying example. I did a quick search of the N-number and didn't turn up anything on her recent activity. I hope she's still a flyer.

I was looking for any updated release date or any other promotional information for the GWH F-14. Would it be unrealistic to assume that any kit slated for release in 2020 will be released in 2021 instead?

"EGG Squadron! Scramble!" {I'm so ashamed...}

Excellent model in squadon markings that are often NOT associated with the RF-4B!✌️

From my home, I can hear the low-frequency "THRUUUUUUUMMMMM" of post-maintenance tests CH-53Es. (At night, the sound seems more distinct. Provence, France has the sounds of cicadas, my area has Sea Stallions.) This image made that sound immediately jump into my head. 🙃 A few administrations ago, I watched the entourage arrive via the distinct HMX-1 VH-3s, a HMX-1 CH-53E in the scheme you've chosen, and rather anonymous gray CH-53E. You can see the HMX-1 scheme approaching from a long distance away. Your build is really nice in that glossy green HMX-1 scheme. I'm eager to see the completed project.

That's an awesome step-by-step description of your workflow. I need to "bookmark" these instructions for my next gull gray/ white Tomcat. I'm thinking the next one will be this F-14D - {US Navy Photo} Quick question #1 - What do you mean by "Tamiya weathering sets?" Do you mean their powders? Quick question #2 - What are you "streaking" with for the wing sweep streaks? The Tamiya weathering powders?

Wow! Can you share your method for achieving that attractive finish?

You, Sir, are a good example of a very loyal friend and a good man. {Hand salute}

Agreed with everyone that the project is too beautiful to toss out at this point. If I may make an artist's comparison - Leonardo daVinci left several projects unfinished. You finished this one, so you're already one up on him!😉 It sounds like the mass of the object was simply too much for the landing gear to handle, so why not spread out the load across several clear blocks across the hull of the plane? The idea of several keelblocks for a ship in drydock comes to mind. It transfers the stress from a few points on the landing gear to a much larger area spread across the the hull of the plane. The idea of retracting the gear and having some sort of water display base also has merit. With the wing-tip floats down in the "water" base, they could also help stablize the wing and transfer their weight into the base. If the keelblocks were concealed under the "water" to support the hull and rods the supported the wing-tip floats, it would all provide a strong, stable support for the model. Here's a link to a PBY displayed in such a fashion -> PBY at Pima Air Museum Take it one step further, imagine a "water" display with concealed keel blocks and rods supporting the model AND the plane in motion with a bow wave and wake. Here's a link to an image that illustrates the appearance -> PBY in San Diego Bay If it all sounds like a Civil Engineering project, well that's what it is. Your gem of build deserves a nice jewel setting like a ring, crown or, broach so it can be displayed.

Those are some useful tips!👍 I gotta say you've put up a lot of quality builds in a relatively short time. High-speed, low drag.

Its a credit to the engineering that Tamiya put into the designing their kits. The only non-standard thing I did for the Skyraider was add a little resin detail piece under the canopy and change out the Vietnam-war era pylons & droptanks for Korea-war era ones. I really did paint, decal and seal the major assemblies before brought them together at the end. I remember that the cowl/engine and landing gear assemblies are held in place simply by friction! If my hands of stone and fingers of sausage can achieve a decent result with a Tamiya kit, that's testimony to the kit itself!

Nice build and nice shadowbox! Where did you source the stand arm from?