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1/48 - McDD F-4 Phantom II family by Zoukei Mura - F-4E/EJ/EJ-Kai and G released - RF-4B/C/E in the pipe line & F-4E (late) in April-May 2024


Homebee

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21 minutes ago, Muzz said:

Can anyone clarify something, the images of the new release F-4EJ Kai seem to suggest the kit has a hard wing but the real aircraft has slatted wings or have I got this wrong?

The -EJ and improved -EJ Kai were both hard wing, being introduced in 1971 -- the slatted wing first flew in 1972.  The Japanese Phantoms were not retrofitted. Here's a section from Joe Baugher's web page about the slats (don't have the link right now):

 

"The most significant change at 71-0237 was the replacement of the blown leading-edge wing droops of earlier Phantoms by slats. This was done in the interest of obtaining enhanced combat maneuverability, which had been one of the Phantom's weak points. The outer leading edge slats were were driven by a hydraulic jack and terminated in a large "dogtooth" at the inboard end where the wing folding joint had once been. Immediately downstream of the dogtooth edge was a small wing fence. The inboard wing was also fitted with powered slats which terminated about three feet from the root. The inner 3 feet of the leading edge were fixed.

The first production F-4E to be fitted with slats was 71-0237, but the first to actually fly with slats was 71-0238 which made its maiden flight on February 11, 1972. The addition of these slats greatly enhanced the maneuvering performance, and the USAF decided to retrofit earlier F-4Es with these slats. The USAF ordered the first slat modification kits in April of 1972, and the first retrofitted F-4E (serial number 69-7524) flew on September 28, 1972. 304 earlier production block F-4Es were retrofitted with these slats, which included just about every surviving F-4E except for those serving with the Thunderbirds".

 

ZM will issue a slatted E  "down the line".

 

Gene K

Edited by Gene K
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Thanks Hopkp and Gene, so they did have a leading edge 'flap' but not slats? If that's the case, that's where I'm getting confused as I've seen photos of them with the leading edge dropping. I thought the 'hard wing' literally meant the leading edge was a fixed part of the main wing.

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Leading edge flap on a hard wing F-4EJ, basically the leading edge bends down.

https://www.airfighters.com/photo/240199/M/Japan-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-F-4EJ-KAI-Phantom-II/17-8439/

 

Leading edge slats on a "soft" wing F-4F, the leading edge moves forward and down a bit away from the wing.

https://www.airfighters.com/photo/122723/M/Germany-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-F-4F-Phantom-II/38-10/

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2 hours ago, Creepy Pete said:

Leading edge flap on a hard wing F-4EJ, basically the leading edge bends down.

https://www.airfighters.com/photo/240199/M/Japan-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-F-4EJ-KAI-Phantom-II/17-8439/

 

Leading edge slats on a "soft" wing F-4F, the leading edge moves forward and down a bit away from the wing.

https://www.airfighters.com/photo/122723/M/Germany-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-F-4F-Phantom-II/38-10/

 

That's awesome! I have never noticed this difference!

I wonder what type of wind do the Greek F-4Es have.

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2 hours ago, Creepy Pete said:

Leading edge flap on a hard wing F-4EJ, basically the leading edge bends down.

https://www.airfighters.com/photo/240199/M/Japan-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-F-4EJ-KAI-Phantom-II/17-8439/

 

Leading edge slats on a "soft" wing F-4F, the leading edge moves forward and down a bit away from the wing.

https://www.airfighters.com/photo/122723/M/Germany-Air-Force/McDonnell-Douglas-F-4F-Phantom-II/38-10/

Brilliant illustration there, thanks for that!

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37 minutes ago, LUCIANO007 said:

 

That's awesome! I have never noticed this difference!

I wonder what type of wind do the Greek F-4Es have.

Greek F-4E’s are slatted as the original delivery start with the serial 72-01500. The later aircraft transferred from the Missouri ANG were made prior to the change but look to have been retrofitted with the slatted wing. I’m sure someone else will be able to confirm seeing as I only found out the difference 5 minutes ago😂!

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...
  • Homebee changed the title to 1/48 - McDD F-4E (early & late), EJ/EJ-Kai, F/F ICE and G Phantom II by Zoukei Mura - F-4E (early) released - F-4E AUP conversion set

Source: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=120621033243277&id=107831037855610

 

Quote

In cooperation with Hypersonic Models , Zeus Projects plan to release very soon an F-4E Phantom II AUP HAF upgrade set designed to be used with the latest F-4E Zoukei-Mura kit in 1/48!!

Expected release date and pricing info soon to be shared.

 

138339894-120642739907773-72186115604986

 

V.P.

Edited by Homebee
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  • Homebee changed the title to 1/48 - McDD F-4E (early & late), EJ/EJ-Kai, F/F ICE and G Phantom II by Zoukei Mura - F-4E (early) released - F-4E AUP conversion set by Zeus Projects & Hypersonic Models
2 hours ago, Muzz said:

Arrived today, my first ZM kit, looks lovely.

 

I think for anyone waiting for another manufacturer to improve on it will be waiting a very long time.

Enjoy your build.

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  • 1 month later...

F-4E(late) slat conversion for the 1/48th scale Zoukei Mura F-4E (early) by Hypersonic Models.

This set contains:

  • Slatted outer wings (cast in a special hard resin to prevent warping) with separate slats
  • Inboard slat inserts. No cutting is required for their installation
  • Belly/wing reinforcement strap made from self adhesive white vinyl material in two layers
  • Formation "slime" lights with rivet detail (self adhesive white vinyl as well, the red in the photos is only for better visibility)
  • TISEO pod (with a clear lens and visible internal detail)
  • ARN-101 dorsal antenna
  • Strike cameras (more accurate than the kit contained parts)
  • New cockpit detail for the WSO office comprising of L/H and R/H console, 3D printed throttle handle, radar scope with shroud and new isntruments for the main IP

The production of this set is limited.

Sources: 

https://www.hypersonicmodels.com/product/f-4e-late-slat-conversion

https://www.facebook.com/hypersonicmodels/posts/3749890448430297

 

Quote

Due for release tomorrow (Wed.): https://www.hypersonicmodels.com/product/f-4e-late-slat-conversion

It did take some time and muscle to get knock this one out...This set converts the new Zoukei Mura F-4E (early) kit into a slat winged late F-4E, with as little extra work as possible. You get outer slatted wings (with the main parts cast in a harder, stronger resin type), inner wing slat inserts and a whole host of add-on parts. Such as: the reinforcement belly strap, slime lights (both self adhesive vinyl), TISEO, ARN-101, Strike Cameras and new WSO cockpit consoles and instruments. There is even a 3D printed new throttle handle!

As a special extra and only in available VERY limited numbers, there is a Deluxe set with a fully rivetted belly strap. Producing those straps is too troublesome and costly so the strap in the standard set has only the larger bolts cut in, but not all the rivets. The slime lights all have full rivet detail on them though.

 

Set-2.jpg

 

V.P.

Edited by Homebee
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  • 1 month later...
  • Homebee changed the title to 1/48 - McDD F-4E (early & late), EJ/EJ-Kai, F/F ICE and G Phantom II by Zoukei Mura - F-4E (early) & F-4EJ released - F-4E AUP conversion set by Zeus Projects & Hypersonic Models
8 minutes ago, Nocoolname said:

Didn't realise Tamiya were doing an 'EJ' version?

I don't believe the reference was to a Tamiya EJ. But I wonder who SWS is.

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1 hour ago, SAT69 said:

I don't believe the reference was to a Tamiya EJ. But I wonder who SWS is.

Zoukei-Mura. SWS stands for their Super Wings Series. This is the next in the long nose Phantom series they're doing. I must say I'm more looking forward to the late F-4E and F-4G, but nice to see they're moving along.

 

Michael

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4 hours ago, Test Valley Models said:

The worst kept secret is out, pre-orders are available for this model from 1st May.

 

RRP is being touted as arounf £30 cheaper than the Tamiya version due to land around the same time.

The ZM F-4E was on sale for £80, the Tamiya F-4B is being listed for £89 or thereabouts , how do you get to £30 difference?

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5 hours ago, SAT69 said:

I don't believe the reference was to a Tamiya EJ. But I wonder who SWS is.

My query was in response to a post with with a different title to the above so something appears to be moving around here. That post made reference to a Tamiya kit but without any further details. Now added as the F-4B as seen above. Might need to screenshot some of these to save my sanity.

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3 hours ago, Stephen said:

The ZM F-4E was on sale for £80, the Tamiya F-4B is being listed for £89 or thereabouts , how do you get to £30 difference?

I haven't checked on the retail price, when I placed my order with The Hobby Co some time ago the best guess then was around £120

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