Academy 1:48 F-4B Phantom II - Other Variants ?

[Tiger331]

I am no great expert on the earlier USAF variants (F-4C/D) but suspect there are sufficient extra parts in the new Academy kit to complete one of these variants, judging by the number of additional 'chin' fairings, fin tips and assorted aerials etc that are included with the initial issue. I understand there is a USAF/ROKAF F-4C/D variant on the way but do I need to wait, if I already have a suitable aftermarket decal sheet ?. Grateful if someone who has either built or extensively surveyed this kit could enlighten me accordingly.

Thanks

Mark

[HansReggelsen]

I hate to disapoint you Mark, but the F-4B has a thin wing whereas the F-4C/D has a thick wing. It's quite a difference.

You can only use the F-4B to make a F-110 which was a couple of F-4B which the U.S. Air Force loaned from the U.S.Navy as testplanes.

Not the Academy kit, but just to illustrate the difference:

It'll be quite an undertaking to transform the 'B' into a 'C/D'.

Sorry.

Cheers

Hans J

Edited September 7, 2013 by HansReggelsen

[Red Dragon]

The F-4C/D has the large bulged areas on the wing uppersurface over the U/C bay due to the larger Tyres.

Phil

I am no great expert on the earlier USAF variants (F-4C/D) but suspect there are sufficient extra parts in the new Academy kit to complete one of these variants, judging by the number of additional 'chin' fairings, fin tips and assorted aerials etc that are included with the initial issue. I understand there is a USAF/ROKAF F-4C/D variant on the way but do I need to wait, if I already have a suitable aftermarket decal sheet ?. Grateful if someone who has either built or extensively surveyed this kit could enlighten me accordingly.

Thanks

Mark

[Jon Kunac-Tabinor]

HI Mark, technically from the F-4B box you can build a 'late' B or an N ( the only 2 thin wing, short nose versions). I say "late" B as the ejection seats in the kit are MB Mk7s, and pedantically for a pre-1969ish B you'll need Mk 5s.

However Academy have annouced a C/D with the thick wing, so if all the bits you get in the B box are still in this version, you will be able to do any J-79 short nose Phantom, Airforce or Navy.

Cheers

Jonners

[XV571]

Hi Mark,

The Academy F-4B has just about everything in the kit to build any mark of short nose J79 powered Phantom except the wings. As Hans and Phil have already said, you will need the 'bulged' wings to build any of the later versions. Breaking the F-4B down by sprue map you get the following clues to what's coming:

Sprue B - this is the F-4B specific lower wing components. I suspect the later wing will be 'Sprue A' with an identical layout for the parts.

Sprue E - this is the F-4B upper wings. Again this will be replaced by, possibly, 'Sprue C' with the bulged wing tops.

Sprue F - this is a common sprue and contains lots of Air Force parts: the twin light nose gear door, chaff pods, SUU-23 gun pod; ALQ-119 ECM pod and rack.

Sprue G - a common sprue containing the chin sensor pods comprising the original plain nose style, both the early F-4D and the later 'Herpes' versions, the boom receptacle panel, a sensor equipped tail chute door, a plain panel to replace the refuelling probe door, the later inlet at the base of the fin, the MLG trunnion covers (late F-4B/N and F-4J/S only), the later smooth radome; fin cap options covering the plain cap, USAF "football" RWR, USN "lozenge" RWR and the dual sensor style unique to USN F-4Bs.

Sprue H - has both slotted and unslotted stabilators to cover all versions.

Sprue I - USN style 'straight' pylons, LAU-7 Sidewinder rails and catapult hook recesses. The USAF versions may appear as 'Sprue J'.

Sprue K - another common sprue with the rear cockpit throttle levers (but curiously the front ones aren't in the kit at all), a LORAN towel rail antenna for some F-4Ds (and RF-4Cs), ECM sensors for later USN jets including both long and short intake conduits, rear cockpit control column and the wider tyres for later F-4s.

Sprue L - has a blank insert for the rear right console and generic 'late' style instrument panels for both cockpits,

Sprue O - the later long exhausts used on the F-4E/F/G/J/S and USAF style wheels.

Sprue P - USAF only AIM-9E & AIM-9Js; the AIM-9L/Ms and AIM-7M for post Vietnam aircraft.

Sprue Q - Navy style wheels as used on the F-4J/S.

Sprue R - Clear parts for the twin light nose gear door, parts for what look like missile seeker noses (maybe Mavericks and a Pave Spike pod) and perhaps an early gun sight for the F-4C.

The F-4C is not far away as it is on pre-order here: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10240628 . Hobbysearch estimate late October or November. In fact using this kit and sprue I from the F-4B, you could build a F-4J. I've no doubt that in time we'll see the gun-nosed variants appear and maybe even the reconnaissance jets.

HTH,

Jonathan

[Tiger331]

HI Mark, technically from the F-4B box you can build a 'late' B or an N ( the only 2 thin wing, short nose versions). I say "late" B as the ejection seats in the kit are MB Mk7s, and pedantically for a pre-1969ish B you'll need Mk 5s.

However Academy have annouced a C/D with the thick wing, so if all the bits you get in the B box are still in this version, you will be able to do any J-79 short nose Phantom, Airforce or Navy.

Cheers

Jonners

Jonners,

How stupid of me to forget about the wings....Dohhhhh !.....Thanks, though, for the reference to Mk 5 vs. Mk 7 ejection seats...I'll need to check my references since I'm planning on two F-4B projects and I think one of them is pre-1969 so the seat issue may have a bearing.

Thanks again

Mark

Hi everyone...and thanks for your information/inputs.....How stupid of me to forget about the 'minor' wing issue !....Doh !....Picked up some useful information though and had not considered the F-4J option from cross-kitting (once the F-4C/D comes out).

Thanks again..

Mark