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The "I missed the end of the group build thread"


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Having missed the deadline for the F4 Group build by over a decade, i finally finished the Michigan F4.

As per the build thread, Its a Tamiya F4C with seamless sucker intakes and the wonderful and increasingly rare Cutting edge MANG decals.

I will be honest I dreaded the moment i had to start to cut the sheet up for fear of ruining these lovely items. Anyhow, all went well and here is the result.

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From what i have seen, the MANG F4's were all kept extremely clean hence very little weathering other than picking out a few panel lines and due to a lack of lining decals, the walkway outlines are hand painted!

hope you like.

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Absolutely lovely! I built the same jet years ago in 1/72 using a set of free decals given away in an issue of SAM. I've always wanted to do a big scale one since so that you can actually see that excellent nose art!

Stunning model!

Keef

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Exemplary finish and great inspiration!!! :wub:

Still haven't plucked up the courage to contemplate cutting up my own copy of the CE Michigan Guard decals, hence various sideways forays into 57th FIS markings and an F-4E!

Really look forward to seeing your Navy 'Toom.

tony t

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Love the Garfield nose art, anyone know the story behind it?

The Nose art was applied by Eldred P Mason in 1983. A large number of the MANG F4's had colourful nose art applied by their crew chiefs and each one was lovingly looked after.

In 1984, 5 171st FIS f4's took part in the William Tell weapons competition. Garfield was the only aircraft already wearing its nose art, the remaining 4 each received new schemes.

A later version of this nose art apparently depicted Garfield with the wing of a soviet jet in his mouth.

The markings on my build depict Garfield in 1983, pre William Tell.

As I have said, the Cutting edge sheet is beautiful. The decals are in register with very fine backing. I really fought hard with myself as to whether to actually use the decal sheet due to its rarity but im really glad I did. Only wish they could be reprinted.

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