Ghostbase Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 My first Academy 1/48th F-4B Phantom, I started this kit three years ago however she went on the shelf of suspended doom when I started to get frustrated with airbrushing with acrylic paints. I re-started her a few weeks ago, to be quite honest it was a 'just get it finished' job and it remained that way until I started to apply the decals. Somehow the ugly duckling turned into a swan, or at least something approaching that. This is the end result: 20201018_124319 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr This was my first build of the Academy Phantom. I am used to the ESCI/Italeri and Revell/Monogram kits, have also put together a couple of Hasegawa kits over the years, and I was impressed with the Academy offering. I liked the one piece upper body section, the separate rear section, the way the kit went together, and the wide variety of missiles included in the box. Very little filling or sanding was required. Definitely a thumbs up! I do have a couple of the Eduard boxings in the stash and I would love to start one soon to see what difference the additional goodies make 🙂 20201018_124333 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr This next photo does show one major problem. I built and painted the rear section aft of the jet exhausts complete with the tail planes/elevators, dry fitted it and all was fine, however it sort of went wrong when I cemented the section on. Not too sure what went wrong! The other side was fine so no harm done I guess. 20201018_124354 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr I prepared all the spues with Halfords primer, grey on top and white underside, then rattle-canned Halfords appliance white to the under surfaces as well as the top of the ailerons and the rudder. This went on well. I then applied light gull grey top sides using an acrylic paint 'configured for the air brush' and it was a disaster! The airbrush sprayed for about five seconds, clogged up, then spattered thick drops all over the fuselage and wings. Trust me, it was a very sudden and short journey to the shelf of doom. 😞 It took me a long time to learn how to apply acrylic paint with the airbrush and several coats of light gull grey managed to hide the appalling first coat. The metallic areas were painted using Humbrol metal-cotes which I always find to be reliable. 20201018_124427 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr This build was saved by the decals which represent F-4B BuNo 152965 as 'AA-100' operated by VF-11 'Red Rippers' off the USS Forrestal in 1973. These were from the Furball Decals F-4B/N Phantom II Air Wing All Stars Part II set (now OOP). Stencils and standard markings were from the Academy kit. The Furball decals went on really well indeed. Unfortunately I broke one of the red stripes that should have met behind the cockpit canopy so they had to be truncated. 20201018_124457 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr One thing I did do reasonably well was the weapons load. I added four AIM-7 Sparrows in the wells under the fuselage, four AIM-9 Sidewinders on the pylons, and three bombs (I can't remember which ones they were) on a TER on each pylon. The kit yellow stripe decals for the bombs refused to settle down so I left them off. I also added three 'gas bags' or fuel tanks. The Academy instructions suggest that this was a valid loadout for a mission but to be honest I am not sure about that. 20201018_124514 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr My last photo, which has to be the colourful markings on the tail section of this showy Phantom, so well depicted by the excellent Furball decals. I am glad I decided to persevere with this stalled build, the end result isn't anywhere near perfect but it came out a lot better than I expected and I am happy with that. When can I start the next one? 😉 Michael 20201018_124606 (2) by Ghostbase, on Flickr 34 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggie78usmc Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 Looks great! I did my first academy 1/48 f-4 about 3 weeks ago. I have to say that I had problems with the cockpit fit( bulkheads and instrument pannels, and intake jugs. overall it is a very nicely detailed kit. You did an amazing job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 Youve done a great job. I love the colourful Navy schemes. I had a very similar experience with acrylic paints and still haven't dared to have another go. Cheers Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 Excellent Ripper’s Phantom ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 As far as I'm concerned, you've produced a magnificent build. Display with abundant pride! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell209 Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 A very nice phinish and one of my favourite F-4 schemes. Well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 Lovley 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark4700 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 I bet your pleased you went back and finished it. Superb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Deserved to be finished,superb job on her. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Back in the Saddle Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Nice work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Really nice build ! So color full they were back then! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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