1/32 Brit Phantom FG.1 XV571 conversion from Tamiya and Wild Hare set

[wellsprop]

Incredible work here! 

[Deano353]

The detail on your Phantom is next level! 

[Antti_K]

That rear cockpit is a masterpiece Anthony. I'm most impressed by all the details and especially by that radar set.

 

Cheers,

Antti

[TheBaron]

Nothing phantom about the quality going into this aircraft Anthony; quite exceptional.

[Anthony in NZ]

On 10/11/2022 at 9:29 AM, wellsprop said:

Incredible work here! 

Thanks so very much!  I am still pretty excited to make a start on your 1/32 Fairey IIIF in the near future!

 

On 10/11/2022 at 9:36 AM, Deano353 said:

The detail on your Phantom is next level! 

Thanks very much, I cant take all the credit though...

 

On 10/11/2022 at 11:05 AM, Antti_K said:

That rear cockpit is a masterpiece Anthony. I'm most impressed by all the details and especially by that radar set.

 

Cheers,

Antti

Thanks buddy!  Nice to know your still along for the ride!

 

On 10/12/2022 at 2:40 AM, TheBaron said:

Nothing phantom about the quality going into this aircraft Anthony; quite exceptional.

Awwww thank you!  I am trying to organise a visit to the Wasp to specifically get behind the barriers to take rotor blade measurements for you! I could only dream that maybe you might scale it down to allow a 132 one to go with my Phantom!  

 

Ok so another quick update.  I need to make sure everything fits and aligns as I dont want to get to the end  and find any surprises....stuff like that puts things on the SOD for me!

 

Looking at the Aires Tub I cut off against the BBox one it was a no brainer, the Black Box one is superior and at least seems more accurate for the FG.1 configuration.

 

So with a bit of tweaking, I got everything in situ and am pretty happy.  Just working out front cockpit differences to the 'J' but it seems quite similar.

Here is everything all trimmed and test fitted, sidewalls still to go

 

 

 

I feel like I am making progress and am seeing some light at the end of the tunnel!

 

Thanks for tuning in chaps...it's the weekend now.  Maybe I can get some good modelling time in?

 

Cheers

Anthony

[Tony G]

Love the way you have made the wear greater on the left cockpit cills than the right very realistic.  I don't think I have ever seen a models front canopy  screen fit so well.

[Anthony in NZ]

4 hours ago, Tony G said:

Love the way you have made the wear greater on the left cockpit cills than the right very realistic.  I don't think I have ever seen a models front canopy  screen fit so well.

Lol very observant mate! I wondered if anyone would pick up on that! 10/10

 

3 hours ago, Blackcat2020 said:

Only just picked up on this discussion.

Beautiful work.

Correct me if I'm wrong but, was there not supposed to be a 1/32 kit of a Spey Phantom announced some time ago? 

Thanks very much, it’s been a longer road than I imagined lol. 
yes HK Models announced one some time ago. I got tired of waiting so now they are waiting for me to get this monster finished so they can release the kit! I don’t mind taking a hit for the team lol  

 

who knows when they will release it but in the meantime the detailed research is going into making parts for those wanting to convert one themselves are being made available through Ali at Aerocraft. 
 

Thanks for tagging along 

 

cheers Anthony 

[Dr. Quack]

Still watching this inspiring labour of love with admiration. 

Exemplary work Anthony.

Q

[bigbadbadge]

Ooooooo nice to see the front tubs come into play , the two are night and day aren't they, the BB one looks awesome.   

 

Of course when one is released yours will be more detailed Anthony. 

 

Chris

[mark.au]

Glad to see building momentum Anthony, a sure sign (I hope) that the recent challenges are receding into the past.  And, not only momentum to be sure, more and more quality layered on.  Great to follow along with.

[Anthony in NZ]

On 10/15/2022 at 7:24 AM, Dr. Quack said:

Still watching this inspiring labour of love with admiration. 

Exemplary work Anthony.

Q

Thanks Doc, always appreciate your input!

 

On 10/15/2022 at 7:47 AM, bigbadbadge said:

Ooooooo nice to see the front tubs come into play , the two are night and day aren't they, the BB one looks awesome.   

 

Of course when one is released yours will be more detailed Anthony. 

 

Chris

haha, it might be more detailed but I will be a lot grayer too!!

 

On 10/15/2022 at 9:41 AM, mark.au said:

Glad to see building momentum Anthony, a sure sign (I hope) that the recent challenges are receding into the past.  And, not only momentum to be sure, more and more quality layered on.  Great to follow along with.

yes mate, onwards and upwards

 

So, a bit of scratchbuilding and archer rivets added

 

Radar printed and painted

 

 

Test fitting....again, this time with Quints panel fitted and radar glued in.

 

 

 

Few more gauges , instruments and decals to go on this lower section before I can finish off the top half

 

I really cant wait until this bit is over so I can get back to other things...

 

Thanks for looking in

Cheers Anthony

 

[PeteH1969]

Good Progress.

 

What are you doing about the inflight refuel probe?

 

Pete

[TheBaron]

2 hours ago, Anthony in NZ said:

really cant wait until this bit is over so I can get back to other things...

I know what you mean Anthony. That work inside there looks just astonishing but I've begun to suspect there's a finite duration we can spend on any one part of a model before  we start hankering to do a different section, no  matter how good the results we're getting.

 

And those results of yours are very good indeed!

[bigbadbadge]

4 hours ago, Anthony in NZ said:

haha, it might be more detailed but I will be a lot grayer too!!

You shall then be known as the silver fox

They look absolutely phenomenal Anthony,  what cracking detail and paint .

Great job

Chris

[Anthony in NZ]

12 hours ago, PeteH1969 said:

Good Progress.

 

What are you doing about the inflight refuel probe?

 

Pete

Thanks Pete, I am going to have it extended

 

10 hours ago, TheBaron said:

I know what you mean Anthony. That work inside there looks just astonishing but I've begun to suspect there's a finite duration we can spend on any one part of a model before  we start hankering to do a different section, no  matter how good the results we're getting.

 

And those results of yours are very good indeed!

Yup....there just comes a point when its time to move on.....and cant LOL.  You know all to well and probably better than me!

Thanks for the nice compliment, that means a lot coming from you!

 

8 hours ago, bigbadbadge said:

You shall then be known as the silver fox

They look absolutely phenomenal Anthony,  what cracking detail and paint .

Great job

Chris

Hahaha, I have been getting somewhat grayer in the past few years....hang on, thats about how long this Phantom has been going LOL

Thanks buddy!

 

More bits going in.  The Quinta F-4J set chopped up some more and bits rearranged.  Funnily enough a lot of stuff is there but you brit's decided to move it all around the cockpits to make us modellers lives hell 50 years later!

 

 

Few decals added to the instrument casings 

Thanks for tuning in, time for another coffee (what is that already...5 today?) to stop my shakes for the next round LOL

 

Cheers Anthony

 

 

Edited October 21, 2022 by Anthony in NZ

[Antti_K]

The rear cockpit is really life-like! Excellent painting, decal work and weathering.

Please, do tell us about the instrument decals. I used Airscale decals on my Phantom and they don't look nearly as nice as those.

 

Cheers,

Antti

[Anthony in NZ]

11 minutes ago, Antti_K said:

The rear cockpit is really life-like! Excellent painting, decal work and weathering.

Please, do tell us about the instrument decals. I used Airscale decals on my Phantom and they don't look nearly as nice as those.

 

Cheers,

Antti

Thanks Antti!

I use Airscale decals a lot and those stencils and placards are from Airscale.  However the instrument panel and switchboards are from a Russian company who produced the F-4J Phantom set just before the war broke out. They are called Quinta Studios. I managed to get a set but I suspect they are still available.  It's just I think a lot of Russian companies have been blocked by social media and sanctions imposed as I never see them on my facebook feed.  Red Fox is another company who I think do the F-4J in 1/32 as well.  They are 3D printed in colour....quite amazing!  I highly recommend them, at least the Quinta ones

 

Cheers Anthony

[TheBaron]

I'm sure you're well sorted for pictures by this stage Anthony but  just remembered I'd taken a few shots of the FG.1 they have in the hangar at the Ulster Aviation Society if they're of any use.

https://flickr.com/photos/145347300@N05/albums/72157711843911696

 

[bigbadbadge]

The instruments look fantastic and the rear of them too with the main bodies and wiring, absolutely fantastic .  Your sacrifice of going grey whilst building this beauty means we will see the ultimate Phantom, which will be amazing.

Cracking work. 

Chris

[Anthony in NZ]

19 minutes ago, TheBaron said:

I'm sure you're well sorted for pictures by this stage Anthony but  just remembered I'd taken a few shots of the FG.1 they have in the hangar at the Ulster Aviation Society if they're of any use.

https://flickr.com/photos/145347300@N05/albums/72157711843911696

 

Thank you sir!  Although my ineptness only allows me to find just the one of the nose....Although I did get stuck on your lovely Anson build...brilliant!

 

11 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said:

The instruments look fantastic and the rear of them too with the main bodies and wiring, absolutely fantastic .  Your sacrifice of going grey whilst building this beauty means we will see the ultimate Phantom, which will be amazing.

Cracking work. 

Chris

yeah its not coming up too bad for an old fart who hates doing cockpits.  Although there's still room to phaff it up...I hope not

 

Cheers guys

Anthony

[Johnson]

Just noticed the labels on the rear cockpit instruments! Wonderful! 

[Autle]

Blimey I thought I was back in the office again, It's just as I remember her. Don't worry about adding more dirt, dust, paint chips, dents and the odd nut, bolt and washer for added authenticity

[Anthony in NZ]

On 10/23/2022 at 12:41 AM, Johnson said:

Just noticed the labels on the rear cockpit instruments! Wonderful! 

Thanks Charlie!  I think little details like that bring an area to life.

 

13 hours ago, Autle said:

Blimey I thought I was back in the office again, It's just as I remember her. Don't worry about adding more dirt, dust, paint chips, dents and the odd nut, bolt and washer for added authenticity

Hahaha...I will take that as a compliment!

Might have to throw some more crap in there then LOL

 

Rear comm’s panel done. This houses the nav computer and control panel as well as various instrument and antenna switches

This was a pain to scratchbuild once I even found out what it even looked like on the back side of the panels. Still more wiring, instruments etc still to go in the already cluttered rear pit!

The trickiest bit was getting the central canopy section to fit over the top

 

 

 

 

As always thanks for your encouragement...

 

Cheers Anthony

 

 

[Max Headroom]

Wow a veritable rats nest of wiring there! Level of detail is unreal.

 

Trevor the unworthy 

[Navy Bird]

Is there a superlative that is higher than epic? I'm at a loss for words...   

 

Cheers,

Bill