tomprobert 6,141 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 (edited) With all the recent talk of new 1/32nd British Phantoms on the horizon from HK Models, it got me thinking... 1/32nd scale is too small! So... here's a 1/24th scale rendition for you... I've gone for the Combat Models vacform, which I ordered in from the good old USA. The kit is somewhat basic (as with all Combat kits) but claims to provide the parts for every variant of F-4 built. The base kit looks like you can either build an F-4B or a F-4E, but I've decided to make life even more difficult for myself and being a patriotic Englishman, decided it'd be criminal not to have a go at a Rolls-Royce Spey powered variant. With the kit being not a lot more than basic shapes, converting it to a British version shouldn't be too challenging; after all about 75% of this build will have to be made from scratch anyway. So here's what you get: A large box crammed full of vacformed parts, and some comprehensive plans for the F-4B and F-4E variants: DSC_0005 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Here's the fuselage, moulded in reasonably smooth but rather thin white plastic. The tape measure is set at 3ft - she's going to be a big girl: DSC_0011 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Here's one fuselage half alongside the 1/48th Hasegawa kit that I'll be using as a guide throughout the build: DSC_0038 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The quality of the mouldings isn't too bad at all, although it's devoid of all surface detail. This isn't a bad thing however, as I like to add my own anyway: DSC_0013 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Here's the wings, tanks, fins, stabilisers, pylons etc: DSC_0016 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Jet pipes, although these won't be used for a Spey version: DSC_0018 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Intakes, splitter plates, gun pack two different nose cones, etc: DSC_0024 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The cockpit tub is somewhat... basic: DSC_0020 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Two beautifully clear canopies are provided, which is very handy in case of the dreaded knife-slip: DSC_0027 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The kit also comes with a resin 'detail set' which provided some basics for the cockpits, landing gear, ejector seats, missiles etc... how useful these will be remains to be seen: DSC_0035 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0033 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I've started to gather some resources together, which includes a few books, some basic additional plans for the Spey aircraft, as well as the aforementioned 1/48th Hasegawa 1/48th FGR2 kit to use as a guide: DSC_0002 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr So... all that's left to do now is take a deep breath and dive on in! Until next time, Tom Edited October 17, 2015 by tomprobert 16 Link to post Share on other sites
DaveCromie 189 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Beer, check. Popcorn, check. Right, let's get comfy 'cos this looks like it has some serious potential! DC 2 Link to post Share on other sites
snapper_city 3,186 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Wow Tom. Another mammoth build. Chair pulled up. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
kev67 1,737 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 You certainly are a gluten for punishment, but will look great when its finished Link to post Share on other sites
Caution Wake Turbulence 644 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I prefer my punishment gluten-free, but that's just me... 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Tomjw 814 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Now this I've got to see. Sitting comfortably... Cheers, Tom. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Darth Vader 469 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 This is going to be worth watching big time ! ! Remember Tom all we want is regular progress reports, weekly will do because You don't want to feel the dark side of the force. Link to post Share on other sites
tomprobert 6,141 Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share Posted October 10, 2015 You certainly are a gluten for punishment, but will look great when its finished Same could be said about you, Kev! But as you and I well know, vacforms are the best form of modelling! This is going to be worth watching big time ! ! Remember Tom all we want is regular progress reports, weekly will do because You don't want to feel the dark side of the force. I'll do my best to keep the updates as regular as I can, but from experience it'll be a case of picking up and putting down a project like this when the mood takes. I reckon I've got at least a year's worth of work ahead of me, but with it being ever busier at work and a little 'un on the way things may slow down considerably when he/she is due to arrive in February. However, the wife understands my needs... Tom Link to post Share on other sites
TGA 484 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Hey Tom, I'll be keeping an eye on this one! Tom Link to post Share on other sites
Simon382 419 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Wow this is going to be interesting! Will you be showing how to make an extension for your home to fit this beast into as a parallel WiP????? lol Link to post Share on other sites
Radleigh 3,161 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Glad to see a thread but it's not going to be a quick job! Will be great watching it unfold though over a long period.. the end result will be nothing short of superb. The resin 1/24th Bucc I have is 2.5ft long roughly and that's BIG so to have another 6-7" on top of that is laughable lol! But needs must and all that........................ Looking forward to picking up my Mars...I learnt a lot off the C-17 thread and will do also off this.... Skip full of popcorn at the ready! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Gondor44 378 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Same could be said about you, Kev! But as you and I well know, vacforms are the best form of modelling! I have always had an aversion to vacforms due to a terrible problem I had with an old two seat conversion for a Lightning but now after working on a P.1121 I strongly dislike them but realise that I can build them if I take a lot of time and put in a ton of effort. Best of luck with your build, especially as your converting it to a UK version. Talking of which. Nearly all of the resin detail parts for the cockpit will be useful. Gondor Link to post Share on other sites
tomprobert 6,141 Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share Posted October 10, 2015 I have always had an aversion to vacforms due to a terrible problem I had with an old two seat conversion for a Lightning but now after working on a P.1121 I strongly dislike them but realise that I can build them if I take a lot of time and put in a ton of effort. Best of luck with your build, especially as your converting it to a UK version. Talking of which. Nearly all of the resin detail parts for the cockpit will be useful. Gondor Vacs are certainly an acquired taste, but as you say with some hard graft and effort they can make stunning, and rare, models. I can understand why they're not everyone's cup of tea, though! Regarding the cockpit - I'd resigned myself to scratch-building it anyway so the only use for the kit parts will be useful templates! Tom Link to post Share on other sites
Max Headroom 7,288 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Oh goody another Tom wundabuild!!! Trevor Link to post Share on other sites
Ascoteer 4,958 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Oh Wow! Another Tom Probert vacform master class. I shall be watching with interest. (I really need to get started on my Combat Models C141 ... only every time I look in the box I just want to put it back on the shelf). Link to post Share on other sites
bentwaters81tfw 6,735 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Tom, between you and Melchie, we will end up knowing all things Phantom! Link to post Share on other sites
heloman1 2,782 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Tom, I think you're both crazy and brave, it's going to be a monster however, I shall follow your build with great interest. I do hope you've sellected EDSG over White rather than the other rather uninteresting colour scheme? Colin 1 Link to post Share on other sites
brianthemodeller 693 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Yay! Tom's off on another epic quest.... Link to post Share on other sites
S5 modeller 1,881 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Woohooo. Can't wait to see some progress. In from the start of this one too. Matt Link to post Share on other sites
Radleigh 3,161 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Tom, I think you're both crazy and brave, it's going to be a monster however, I shall follow your build with great interest. I do hope you've sellected EDSG over White rather than the other rather uninteresting colour scheme? Colin I don't think you'll be disappointed....... Link to post Share on other sites
Ace From Outer Space 235 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 (edited) Hi Tom, Congatulations to you and Mrs P. We are also expecting a baby, our second, in March next year. Will this be your first child? Good luck! I will be following this build with great interest! I love the Phantom and I really like the look of this kit! Cheers, Viv Edited October 10, 2015 by Ace From Outer Space Link to post Share on other sites
Vesa Jussila 615 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Very interesting project. I must follow this, maybe I will learn something. Link to post Share on other sites
franky boy 2,080 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I'm looking forward to seeing this one progress after watching your Halifax and Stirling Tom. I think you're crazy by the way! Congrats on the new baby too. James 1 Link to post Share on other sites
badger 3,355 Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 (edited) Hi Watching with interest. I may be able to help with the references as I have copies of the maintenance manuals for both the FG1 and FGR2. PM me if these would be of use and I'll get them sent over. Ben Edited October 11, 2015 by badger 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mcdonnell 3,067 Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Hello,Tom - Godspeed on a noble mission with this build.I wish you every success with this model.You'll do a fine tribute to a fine aircraft.All the best,Paul. Link to post Share on other sites
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