rafalbert Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 (edited) I will be in with this old girl, along with the Aeroclub improvement set and Modeldecal decals. I am probably going to improve the nose by taking a copy of a Fujimi kit and blending it in. Pics as promised. I have the a set of the Fujimi Alcock and Brown decals which I will never use so if anyone would like them, PM me. I think I will build the Fujimi kit alongside this one; I have realised that I do not have a built-up F-4 in my collection! Time to remedy that! Edited June 25, 2019 by rafalbert pic added 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Nice to see an oldie getting some improvement works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 I added a resin copy of the Fujimi nose, kindly supplied by @rs2man. I shimmed the top seam by about 1mm, and bent the front lower corners of the fuselage downward to splay them slightly and increase the slope down to the rear of the radome. Then I glued in the radome and filled the remaining gap underneath with more card shims, and sanded the whole thing to blend it all in. You want to try to avoid reducing the resin radome to fit the fuselage, because it's the right size. However, this will all mess up the fit of the Matchbox canopy, which will now be too narrow. But since it's a bit rubbish anyway, you'll probably want to replace that, too. Does the Aeroclub set include a new canopy? If not, and you're happy with vacform canopies, I can let you have a closed up replacement, but if you're showing off the seats etc, then you might need to source the parts elsewhere... It's worth the effort though... it completely transforms the look of the old girl: best, M. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 i seem to recall reading somewhere that the Fujimi canopy fits the Matchbox Phantom with a great improvement in its appearance. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 It does Steve. I made one some many years ago with Airfix nose cone, Fujimi canopy and some other bits plus Aeroclub parts for the jet pipes and so on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs2man Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 1 hour ago, cmatthewbacon said: I added a resin copy of the Fujimi nose, kindly supplied by @rs2man. I shimmed the top seam by about 1mm, and bent the front lower corners of the fuselage downward to splay them slightly and increase the slope down to the rear of the radome. Then I glued in the radome and filled the remaining gap underneath with more card shims, and sanded the whole thing to blend it all in. You want to try to avoid reducing the resin radome to fit the fuselage, because it's the right size. However, this will all mess up the fit of the Matchbox canopy, which will now be too narrow. But since it's a bit rubbish anyway, you'll probably want to replace that, too. Does the Aeroclub set include a new canopy? If not, and you're happy with vacform canopies, I can let you have a closed up replacement, but if you're showing off the seats etc, then you might need to source the parts elsewhere... It's worth the effort though... it completely transforms the look of the old girl: best, M. In actual fact Matt , it was a resin copy of the Esci radome . rafalbert , if you want a copy of the Esci radome , PM me your address & I'll put you one in the post . 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 It does look a lot better! PM on the way.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Doh... yes, the one above also has the Fujimi canopy, courtesy of rs2man as well... which is why I have a spare vacform one. I would say the Fujimi canopy "can be made to fit", rather than "fits" . You have to carve out the lower canopy frame rails, which Matchbox moulded on the fuselage rather than the clear part, and then blend the Fujimi sills and central "bridge" into what remains. best, M. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 Matchbox Phantom a great choice and nice to see it here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 Being a Matchbox kit, the cockpit is beyond spartan. Luckily, the seats in the Aeroclub improvement set are rather detailed and add weight to the nose. Due to laziness I will not be adding the grab handles, but even without they look a lot better than the kit seats! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 I have assembled the fuselage and attached the far superior radome kindly supplied by John (rs2man). It has taken a bit of fettling to blend in but it definitely improves the shape of the old girl. I need to do some cleaning up now before I progress further. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs2man Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Looking good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted August 31, 2019 Author Share Posted August 31, 2019 Hi guys, As per my note on my other f-4 build, this will not be completedon time. Good luck with all yours! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Looks good Dave, it is a amazing what a pair of resin seats does to spice up the cockpit, especially a nice set of MB Mk7s. Hope to see it finished when you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted February 20, 2021 Author Share Posted February 20, 2021 I am not sure if anyone will see this but I have finally finished the old girl. Not my best effort but she scrubs up well. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs2man Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Very nice build . Shows how a decent radome and canopy can transform the kit . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafalbert Posted February 20, 2021 Author Share Posted February 20, 2021 And I couldn't have done it without your generosity John. Again, many thanks for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs2man Posted February 20, 2021 Share Posted February 20, 2021 You're welcome mate . Glad I could help 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Looks great Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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