Double build: Robin Olds Phantoms in 1/72

[billn53]

It's been something like four months since my last RFI. During that time, I retired, packed up my workshop and stash, sold my house in Alabama, and moved to Madison, Wisconsin! I had the good fortune of finding a place with a spare bedroom in the finished lower level, which I converted into a bigger, better workshop 😁😁😁 . I have also hooked-up with the local IPMS group (Mad City Modelers), which is very active and has a quite a few highly-skilled builders among its members. Mad City Modelers is doing a group build on the theme "Vietnam", with models due to be shown at this month's meeting. Not much time, considering I learned about this in late November.

 

I had originally planned to build Col. Robin Old's F-4C that he flew in Operation Bolo, using the old Monogram kit as re-boxed by Accurate Miniatures. When I discovered the decal sheet includes also includes markings for Olds's SCAT XXVII Phantom, I expanded my plan to include the Fujimi F-4C kit. Thus, I had to build two Phantoms in less than two months. It's a good thing I'm retired!

I finished the Fujimi kit just before New Years, and the Monogram kit I finished on New Years day. Thus, this project includes both my last build of 2020 and my first of 2021.

 

 

 

 

I included the following add-ons:

 

XMM Seamless Intakes (Monogram kit), and home-grown seamless intakes per Gene's method (Fujimi kit)

Aires afterburner cans and nozzles (both kits)

Eduard cockpit photoetch (Fujimi)

QuickBoost ejection seats (Fujimi)

Master Model brass pitot and ram air tubes (both kits)

 

I used these kits to test out AK Interactive's "Real Colors" and the Hataka Orange Line paints, but I was unhappy with both and ended up using Mr. Color on the Fujimi kit and Life Color on the Monogram kit.

 

In spite of its age, Monogram's detailing is much nicer than Fujimi's, but has the disadvantage of raised panel lines. I sanded down the panel lines and, after painting was complete, replicated them with a 0.2mm mechanical pencil.

 

The WIP can be viewed here:

 

On with the show!

 

Monogram in front, Fujimi at the rear:

 

 

 

 

 

Monogram first, Fujimi second:

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

Some detail shots:

 

Monogram cockpit

    

 

Heavy wear and paint chipping on SCAT XXVII (Fujimi):

   

 

Weapons are OOB for both kits, except for the M117 bombs which came from a Hasegawa weapon set:

 

The XMM seamless intakes are very nice, but some additional work was needed to adapt them to the Monogram kit (they are designed for Hasegawa Phantoms)

 

 

My home-grown seamless intakes for the Fujimi kit didn't turn out exactly perfect, but it's not bad for a first try and a lot cheaper than aftermarket ones:

 

Aires afterburner cans and engine nozzles:

 

 

I used Flory washes to replicate the F-4's typical dirty underside:

 

 

My last "Get Off The Stage" photo:

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone who followed along, and special thanks for all the input and help I received along the way! In these builds, I got to try out a bunch of new techniques and products. Some worked, others less so. And, I made mistakes of my own along the way. The results are certainly not contest quality, but I learned a lot that I intend to use for a more serious F-4 build, when I am not under a time crunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Learstang]

Very nice Double Uglies! The Phantom II is a big hole in my Vietnam War collection that will be taken care of this year, if I can figure out which kit/variant to go with!

 

Regards,

 

Jason

[112 Squadron]

An excellent pair of Rhinos! 👍

[SAT69]

Beautiful work on both models. 

[Dennis_C]

Two excellent Phantoms! Great weathering and paint chipping effects. 

[RidgeRunner]

Very nice, Bill. Your WIP was fascinating. Thanks for that.

 

Martin

[750k2]

I think they look splendid - I hope the old monogram in the stash turns out as nice.

Welcome to Wisconsin - If the show happens this spring perhaps I'll see some more of your work.

Wish I was closer as I would love to be able to join a club.

[billn53]

1 hour ago, 750k2 said:

I think they look splendid - I hope the old monogram in the stash turns out as nice.

Welcome to Wisconsin - If the show happens this spring perhaps I'll see some more of your work.

Wish I was closer as I would love to be able to join a club.

The show in Madison (normally held in March) has been postponed to May, if I recall correctly. 

[russ c]

Great pair of Phantoms there, really nice work

[F-32]

Congratulations on both the builds (they look great) and also the move and retirement!

[billn53]

1 minute ago, F-32 said:

Congratulations on both the builds (they look great) and also the move and retirement!

Thank you ! So far, retirement is everything it’s cracked up to be 😊

[swralph]

Two very nice builds.😀

[Billy54]

Two very nice Phantoms Bill, 

[Chrisj2003]

Phabulous both. And an instructive WIP. 

 

Thanks. 
 

Chris

[stevehnz]

A lovely pair of builds Bill, I like them a lot. I can't see my Italeri kit with Old's markings in it reaching these dizzy heights of excellence but you've given me something to aim for.

Steve.

[IanC]

Excellent and convincing builds. And I love that underside shot - the weathering looks spot on.

[opus999]

These are beautiful!  I enjoyed the WIP with the different techniques and experiments you did -- I learned a lot.  The paint chipping looks incredibly realistic and the dirty underside seems spot on to me.

[billn53]

I knew a guy who was an Air Force aviator mechanic, he was always telling me how dirty the Phantom’s undersides were. 

[opus999]

Yeah, when researching for my Navy Phantom I was amazed at how filthy they were.  I was glad I didn't have to worry as much about over doing it.  

[Booty003]

Good to see two such great looking Phantoms together and a lovely tribute to a fine Pilot as well.  The SEA scheme is so iconic for this legendary aircraft.

[Sky Keg]

Superb Bill 

 

Mike