Popular Post billn53 Posted February 11, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 11, 2020 It's been a three-month gestation but I've finally given birth to my Zoukei-Mura F-4J Phantom, done up as VF-114 "Aardvarks" The WIP is posted here: I used a fair amount of aftermarket during this build, the most significant being: Aero Bonus ejection seats with crew GT Resin seamless intakes Aires afterburner cans and nozzles Hypersonic Models canopy details and outer wing pylons << excellent products!!! (shameless plug for @JefferyK 🙂 ) ZM resin wheels Eduard photoetch Master Model turned brass pitot and ram air tubes VF-114 markings are from Draw Decal Stenciling is using wet transfers from HGW << another excellent product, and outstanding customer support. Thanks again, Martin! 🙂 🙂 Paints are True North enamels, and are a dream to use Let's get on to the pics! Aero Bonus ejection seats with crew: Hypersonic's F-4 canopy detail set is great! GT Resin's seamless intakes are indeed seamless, on the inside. But, their fit leaves much to be desired: I replaced the kit's position light lenses with clear, UV-activated acrylic gel: I also used the UV-activated gel to create the wingtip lights: Even the AIM-9 Sidewinders got the UV-gel treatment, for their nosetip seeker windows: Bare metal paneling on the tail and stabilizers is using AK Interactive Xtreme Metal enamels, with metallic pigment powders for detailing: Aires afterburner cans and exhaust nozzles: I used Flory wash and oils to dirty-up the Phantom's underside: Speed brakes (kit stock): Auxiliary air inlet. I went to a lot of trouble to add a surrogate engine behind the air inlet, but it's barely visible! Nose gear bay (kit stock) Nose landing gear (details added) Oops! How did this happen? No problem. The Draw Decal sheet includes enough for two aircraft. Good as new: That's it! Be sure to check out my WIP for all the gory details. And, many thanks to everyone who followed my progress and gave encouragement & advice! 74 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert_ Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 She’s a beauty. Love the scheme and really nice weathering. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobo Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Spectacular result! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polybebber Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 That's how a Navy Phantom should look, excellent paintwork and weathering. You made her a busy looking plane - I love that. Hats off!!! Lothar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 A Phantom that just looks 'right' from all aspects, including the convincing cause > effect weathering and scuffing. Inspiring build! Kind regards, Joachim 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 That is a bit gourgeous Bill, really top shelf. Steve. PS Is that another oops with the starboard nose 200? Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 One of the best Phantoms I've seen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 That is a stunner and in some of my favourite markings too Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey-1980 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Outstanding finish!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 10 hours ago, stevehnz said: That is a bit gourgeous Bill, really top shelf. Steve. PS Is that another oops with the starboard nose 200? Steve. Thanks, Steve. Yep, I have double “oopses”. After I had clear-glossed everything, I masked the anti-glare and walkways to give them a semi-matte finish. Despite de-tacking the tape, the “200” and insignia decals lifted. I used spares from the DrawDecal sheet to fix both. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 4 hours ago, Hobo said: Spectacular result! Thank you, Hobo. 3 hours ago, polybebber said: That's how a Navy Phantom should look, excellent paintwork and weathering. You made her a busy looking plane - I love that. Hats off!!! Lothar She would have been busier with a full load out of Mk82s, but I didn’t want to distract from her beautiful markings. But, when I do my Academy F-4D, you’ll see plenty of ordnance. 3 hours ago, Spitfire31 said: A Phantom that just looks 'right' from all aspects, including the convincing cause > effect weathering and scuffing. Inspiring build! Kind regards, Joachim Thanks! A Phantom isn’t a Phantom if it isn’t dirty & worn. 1 hour ago, stevehnz said: That is a bit gourgeous Bill, really top shelf. Steve. I thoroughly enjoyed this build, the ZM kit is very nice (but with a couple issues). Took a bit longer than I had planned, what with doing two other builds concurrently. 1/48 isn’t my preferred scale, but for a Phantom I’m willing to go big (I have two 1/48 Academy’s, and a 1/32 Tamiya, in my stash 🙂 1 hour ago, Stephen said: One of the best Phantoms I've seen. Too kind! I’ve seen some truly great ones here on BM. 38 minutes ago, Red Dot said: That is a stunner and in some of my favourite markings too Andy Mine, too. Now my gentlemen’s-scale Aardvark has a big brother. I’m also a fan of the Screaming Eagles, and I have an Academy 1/48 F-4B queued up with those markings. 33 minutes ago, Mikey-1980 said: Outstanding finish!! I’m loving the True North enamels. And, I’ve learned that Klear/Future gives a smoother finish if diluted 50-50 with Mr Leveling thinner. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Wonderful build and finish, and l love to see a crew on board, it always adds to the model, good job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 5 minutes ago, Farmerboy said: Wonderful build and finish, and l love to see a crew on board, it always adds to the model, good job! Thank you. The AeroBonus seat+crew combos make adding a crew easy. ‘tho I did have to do some fiddling and (in the case of the RIO) outright amputation to make them fit in the ZM Phantom’s cramped cockpit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Same problem with a recent Revell Phantom build, both crew members slightly lacking below the knee! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Very nice result Bill - lovely finish and weathering. Must get round to making one of these but all those stencils.......!! Like the use of UV gel - I have a couple of manufacturers gels and will have a play myself. Cheers Malcolm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Bob Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Great F4 build Bill Not sure how I missed this WIP but caught up now, I have some ZM F4s to build so this has been most informative. I agree that Jefferys canopy detail sets are a must for any F4 build, I have them for the Academy F4, and an open pair of canopies looks wrong without them. All the best, Bob. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 39 minutes ago, Baldy said: Very nice result Bill - lovely finish and weathering. Must get round to making one of these but all those stencils.......!! Like the use of UV gel - I have a couple of manufacturers gels and will have a play myself. Cheers Malcolm The HGW waterslide package makes adding stencils much easier. Multiple stencils are combined together in a single transfer. Once they are in place, the clear transfer material is peeled off, leaving the stencils behind. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 4 minutes ago, billn53 said: The HGW waterslide package makes adding stencils much easier. Multiple stencils are combined together in a single transfer. Once they are in place, the clear transfer material is peeled off, leaving the stencils behind. Cheers Bill - that alone sounds like an excellent reason to give those try! Cheers Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 A minor caveat with the HGW transfers is they are sized for the Academy Phantoms. They don’t always line up with ZM’s panel lines. A couple of times I had to cut the larger transfers into two or three smaller pieces to improve the fit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Superb job, I love a 'Varks F-4 and yours looks awesome 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 11 minutes ago, F-32 said: Superb job, I love a 'Varks F-4 and yours looks awesome I have my eyes on doing a ‘Vark Tomcat as well (in 1/72... I’m running out of shelf space and a F-14 in 1/48 would be just too much!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Great build with well detailed progress report, awesome finish Bill!.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvanVasili Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 How could one ever not call this a "beauty". Great model and thanks for sharing it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binbrook87 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Very nice 👌 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneheadff Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 She turned out really great!! Phantastic!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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