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Hello guys, again I'm in the need of the collective knowledge of the BM-Hive. Recently I purchased the Revell-rebox of the Hasegawa Phantom FGR.2 in 1/48 and as many of you for sure know the cockpit has some room for improvement. I've ruled out using the Aires cockpit as many builds here and on the net show that it is a bear to fit. So the remaining options were either the Eduard etch or to tweak some QUINTA 3D decals (like @Anthony in NZ did in his epic 1/32 build). Having used QUINTA decals in the past and knowing the level of detail they provide this is my preferred option. Since all UK Phantoms are based on the F-4J I figured this would be the best starting point and while doing research on the cockpit layout in order to compare it with what QUINTA provides, I noticed that the rear cockpit of the FGR.2 showed some variations (no wonder considering the aircraft was in service for some time) but could not figure out what was the reason for it. And as I want to build a very early machine (XV403 of No. 6 Squadron in 1969) I'm not sure if the cockpit of museum examples are representative for early service machines. Radar scope: Here I found there are two types. XV490, the closest equivalent can be found in the F-4C/D set (part 18) XV424, which best corresponds to the F-4J decals (part 3) Overhead switch panels (next to the telescopic sight): I noticed that museum machines have a single panel installed but the frames on the left and right are empty. Was it this way in-service or was this equipment removed? If the latter, what did it look like in-service, especially at the very beginning in 1969? XV490 XV424 I've also found another panel installed and based on the switch functions am I correct in assuming it was installed on machines wired for the EMI recce pod? https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/142969/xv490-uk-air-force-mcdonnell-douglas-f-4-phantom-fgr-2-f-4m/ So if anybody can help me which type of radar scope was installed and how the overhead switch panels looked like in 1969 it would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot. Cheers Markus

Afternoon all, I've been waiting for a spell of good weather to get some pics of this build but I live in Glasgow! Anyway I relented this afternoon and have taken some pics indoors of my latest completion (minus crew seats before anyone shouts at me). I was quite shocked last year when I realised that in my 30+ years of modelling I've never had a completed RAF Phantom, of any variety or colour, in my collection. I finally decided around August time to get my finger out and build a couple of the Fujimi kits I have collected over the years, this was prior to the Airfix announcement. This kit is the FGR.2 from the Alcock and Brown boxing, built pretty much out of the box with the exception of scratch built intake blanks and decals from Xtradecal X72132 "111 Sqn history". The kit went together like a dream with only a little bit of fiddling and filling where the lower fuselage section fits under the cockpit area. I snapped off both tail pitot's and had to replace these with short sections of stretched sprue. I had intended to build it as XV416 from March 1975, just before it was written off in a take-off accident at Coningsby, but I stupidly followed the Xtradecal placement guide and had put the tail markings on as per this "borrowed" 64 Sqn jet rather than the intended placement for XV416. It was either go with it or back to square one, I took the easy option but am still pleased with her. RAF Leuchars was always my "local" air show, and when I lived in Aberdeen during my school days we would always detour past the end of the runway on the way to visit grandparents in Edinburgh. My love of aviation definitely started here and I have an affinity for anything that was based here from the late 70's until the base closure, the favourites without doubt being the Phantoms and Tornado's, both of which feature heavily in my stash. A 43 Sqn FG.1 is already underway for my next Phantom, and roll on Revell's 1/48 Tornado F.3! Anyway on with the pic's, hope she meets with your approval (seats to follow mind!):- [URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/eng1170/media/00E31107-1703-48DF-9CF6-34D22DF0615C_zpsjktewhmo.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/eng1170/media/A4B967B9-993D-4929-8D1D-ED6FBF049181_zpsvftxbiam.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/eng1170/media/7C770795-5DAE-4EF0-A040-5A9F7EF2D0D8_zpsxrejpfkq.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/eng1170/media/22FE3D8B-FAFF-451D-8EF5-D7B0F1526044_zps6ch2v0ip.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/eng1170/media/1D9A48A4-B8B6-427D-BF38-68B36A1C8C59_zpsyxtqja2p.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/eng1170/media/35E4BD44-0AC0-44ED-8C53-4B1820507BCE_zpsweolcim2.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/eng1170/media/81365C42-1083-4FE6-A9DC-9DF165254060_zpsfrxfr5qp.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/eng1170/media/D25B5A57-7B37-4B91-AF87-0BA309A1E33F_zpsxgij4m7y.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/eng1170/media/89FBD8B0-27B4-4879-8ED6-98F73946BE6F_zpsqdfzpy0k.jpg.html][/URL] All comments and criticism most welcome, Rgds, Eng