Popular Post Navy Bird Posted August 6, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 6, 2022 Before there was a Phantom II, there was the Phantom. But after the original Phantom (and Banshee) there was the Demon. Although not as well known as its famous progeny, after some teething difficulties it served well as an all-weather fighter from 1956 to 1964. Due to its excellent pilot visibility, the F3H was often referred to as "The Chair." Pilots were "Demon Drivers" and mechanics were "Demon Doctors." (We won't mention the nickname "Lead Sled" - it's been used too much.) The F-4 Phantom II was initially developed as an advanced, two-engine version of the Demon, kind of a Super Demon, and was originally given the designation F3H-G/H. My build process is detailed in the WIP thread here. As can be seen from my list of corrections and improvements below, the Emhar kit was not shake and bake. Those who are leery of such things may not want to look at the WIP! Project: McDonnell F3H-2N Demon Kit: Emhar Kit No. EM3002 Scale: 1:72 (as required by the Egyptian Book of the Dead) Decals: Xtradecal X027-72 (VF-122 Black Angels), some home-printed, and a few from the kit Resin: Pavla cockpit set no. C72121 (not all of it used); Eduard 632083 AIM-9B Sidewinders Photoetch: Airwaves AEC72060 Interior & Exterior, AC7262 Wing Spoilers, Fences and Boarding Ladder Masks: Made by hand! With a pencil and a pair of scissors! Paint: Gunze H325 FS26440, H11 Flat White, H12 Flat Black, H14 Orange, H90 Clear Red, H94 Clear Green, H317 FS36231 Dark Gull Gray; MRP 127 Super Clear Matt, 048 Super Clear Gloss; Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black; Alclad ALC101 Aluminum, ALC111 Magnesium; Testors 1169 Flat Yellow Weathering: Very subtle post-shading - so subtle you might miss it! Improvements/Corrections Obviously, the Emhar kit is rather old and a bit of a slog. Skip to the photos if you don't want to read such a long list! Add all wing fences using photoetch and card stock Add wingtip skid plates Add wing fuel dumps using flattened brass tubing Add resin cockpit, instrument panel coaming and ejection seat Add photoetch wing spoilers (scabbed on just like in real life!) Fill “worse than Matchbox” panel lines with Mr. Surfacer and sand entire fuselage for days Scratchbuild nose gear bay and detail all wheel wells Add gun camera housing under nose Detail fuselage airbrake wells with photoetch Add photoetch airbrake and add structural detail on the inside with card stock Added photoetch boarding ladder Drill out compressor seal leakage ducts on side of fuselage Thin walls of engine cooling inlets on fuselage sides Thin out intake walls Add intake vanes made from thin card stock and position at correct angles Reshape aft fuselage underside fuel dumps (add a bend - kit parts are straight) Drill lightening holes on inside of nose gear doors Add several linkages to all landing gear Sand and polish all canopy parts to remove molding seams and try to get a smooth surface Add flange to front of windscreen to reshape for proper angle Add pitot tube to front of windscreen Design artwork and print decals for wing fuel dump stripes, all vents, shell ejection chutes and underside antennae Scratchbuild arresting hook bay and reshape hook Add photoetch from spares box to detail all landing gear, arresting hook, and airbrake bays Add tail bumper Add catapult bridle hook Add top fuselage beacon Add resin turtledeck Replace nose wheel (kit part is too small) Kit-bash afterburner nozzle from kit part (thin the walls way down) and exhaust tube with flame holder from RF-4C Phantom II Re-shape the aft end of the beaver tail and add navigation light Lower flaps to normal “parked” position Modify kit AERO4A missile launchers into AERO1A for AIM-9B Sidewinders Drill out cannon holes Add circuit breaker panels to cockpit Squadron markings from the kit and Xtradecal sheet Add static pressure boom to starboard wing Add several tubes of putty and sand for hours Drop the model at least once Spend hours wondering why I didn’t just buy the Sword kit… And a whole bunch of other stuff that I can’t remember because I’m old OK, that's enough. Photos! Whew! Cheers, Bill (who never learns after building these old kits) PS. Here is one of the Super Demon mock-ups: Look familiar? Add a back seat, turn up the wingtips, turn down the horizontal stabs... 84 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2lefthands Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Whole lotta love in this old kit and it shows! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Amazing work, bravo! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntPhillips Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Beautiful build, hard to imagine that started as the Emhar kit 👍👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Even without taking into account all the modifications, amendments and added details to the original kit offering, this is a wonderful model! But since all the above happened, it is also an example of masterful craftsmanship, together with attention to detail and proper research. And in a catchy scheme! What now? Ciao 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted August 6, 2022 Author Share Posted August 6, 2022 2 hours ago, 2lefthands said: Whole lotta love in this old kit and it shows! I actually like building older kits and seeing how pretentious I can be with my list of corrections/improvements. But this kit needed it! And I will admit to having Zeppelin on the turntable while building it. 1 hour ago, Roberto said: Amazing work, bravo! Thanks mate. 1 hour ago, AntPhillips said: Beautiful build, hard to imagine that started as the Emhar kit 👍👏 Thanks. It's even harder to imagine that I subjected myself to all that work. I must be daft. Wait, I actually am daft. 50 minutes ago, giemme said: Even without taking into account all the modifications, amendments and added details to the original kit offering, this is a wonderful model! But since all the above happened, it is also an example of masterful craftsmanship, together with attention to detail and proper research. And in a catchy scheme! What now? Thanks Giorgio. I have no idea what to build next. I seem to remember that I promised to build the F6U-1 Pirate - at least that kit doesn't have many parts. But neither did the Demon and look what happened with that! I'll have a look through my stash and find something. My latest kit acquisition is the Italeri (ESCI) F-5A - there are some nice Canadian markings. Or maybe an F-104C in SEA camo. How about the old Monogram AD-5 Skyraider with yellow wings? Or maybe a P-51 "Passion Wagon." No, I think a Sea Harrier FA.2 in Oxford Blue would be nice. Or maybe the YF-23? I love Northrop designs. How about the AH-1Z Viper? The CF-105 Arrow! The biplane Helldiver! Arghh, there is no end to the ideas... Cheers, Bill 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Superb Demon, and very well kept, at that! The boarding ladder sets it off perfectly. But, perhaps a few well placed little scuff marks would elevate the impression even further? 😉 Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Marvelous Demon! Fantastic amount of work that's gone into this & possibly a good guide to smartening up the Sword kit as well. Looks like the Flightpath ladders intended for the Voodoo? Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 53 minutes ago, Navy Bird said: Or maybe an F-104C in SEA camo That sounds soooooo good.... Ciao 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Slowbuild Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Staggering….. and that’s just the number of bullet points. The model’s pretty decent too. Well a bit more than that, outstanding!! Amazing work Bill, quite brilliant! Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Lambess Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Demonstrally perfect ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 Absolutely superb model, and what a list of modifications! Was there any of the original kit left once you'd finished?! Always had a soft spot for this rather forgotten type, reminds me of the Scimitar in general shape and era. You've done it proud! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted August 6, 2022 Author Share Posted August 6, 2022 3 hours ago, Spitfire31 said: The boarding ladder sets it off perfectly. But, perhaps a few well placed little scuff marks would elevate the impression even further? 😉 Thanks Joachim. The ladder has just been requisitioned from stores, so it hasn't been scuffed up yet. 3 hours ago, Lightningboy2000 said: Fantastic amount of work that's gone into this & possibly a good guide to smartening up the Sword kit as well. Looks like the Flightpath ladders intended for the Voodoo? Thanks Martin. Not sure about the Voodoo, but I have a colour photo of a Demon with this same ladder. The photoetch bits to make it came from Airwaves in one of their Demon sets. 3 hours ago, giemme said: That sounds soooooo good.... They all sound good to me! I have the Revell 104C kit and the new(ish) Caracal decal sheet with SEA camo and nose art. Should look pretty cool. First things first, though, gotta clean up the workbench. Haven't done that in several models. 1 hour ago, Dave Slowbuild said: Staggering….. and that’s just the number of bullet points. The model’s pretty decent too. Well a bit more than that, outstanding!! Amazing work Bill, quite brilliant! Thanks Dave. I wasn't aiming for that many bullets, but that's how it worked out. 1 hour ago, Neil Lambess said: Demonstrally perfect ! Well, I did leave in at least one mistake, but I didn't bother pointing it out. Got to protect my rep, eh? 58 minutes ago, Vulcanicity said: Absolutely superb model, and what a list of modifications! Was there any of the original kit left once you'd finished?! Always had a soft spot for this rather forgotten type, reminds me of the Scimitar in general shape and era. You've done it proud! Thanks Phil. There is quite a bit of the original kit parts used - fuselage, wings, gear struts, gear doors. canopy. I think if I built it out of the box it wouldn't look as nice. Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted August 6, 2022 Share Posted August 6, 2022 You've produced a gem! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 That's a long list of improvements/corrections but you certainly turned out a very nice Demon in the end👍 CJP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 That's a stunner Bill ungainly looking aircraft but always been a favourite of mine,top job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John R Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Your WIP started in March and ended in August. Was that time spent exclusively on the Demon or are there others in the pipeline? I don't think that I could sustain my enthusiasm for any model that long even if I matched your skills. Some of my models have taken much longer but they were the ones that I really wanted but were so much trouble that they were put on the shelf of doom (several times!) until I could bring myself to restart them. Do you have models like that? Given my interest in prototypes I got a couple of those Emhar Demons with the intention of producing a prototype but the stumbling block has been producing its much slimmer fuselage. Perhaps I should build one 'out of the box' to show how really good yours is. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Bill my friend, a standing ovation is in order for you after this incredible accomplishment you made. I tried the Emhar Demon kit and immediately gave up knowing it was far too crude to try and create anything special however you have done just that. Impressive does not begin to accurately describe your efforts that you shared with us here. Bravo good sir!!!!! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 An epic build on the very basic kit, superb modelling ! Wulfman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy54 Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 I really like it Bill, thanks for sharing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maginot Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Neat! Good to see these less common types from the 50s presented on this forum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Congratulations Bill !! Really fine Demon !! Time to restart mines.... That's a lot of work on this kit !! Sincerely. CC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted August 7, 2022 Author Share Posted August 7, 2022 On 06/08/2022 at 18:50, SAT69 said: You've produced a gem! Thanks. When I first opened the box and looked at the sprues I said "Man, this is a real gem." But I don't think I meant that the same way as you! On 06/08/2022 at 20:41, CJP said: That's a long list of improvements/corrections but you certainly turned out a very nice Demon in the end👍 Thanks. I wasn't intending for the list to be that long, it just kind of evolved. On 07/08/2022 at 02:34, stevej60 said: That's a stunner Bill ungainly looking aircraft but always been a favourite of mine,top job! Thanks. I set the model in my display case right next to an F-4 and it's quite surprising how big the Demon is. Pretty much the same size as the Phantom, but with only one engine, and under-powered at that. On 07/08/2022 at 05:47, John R said: Your WIP started in March and ended in August. Was that time spent exclusively on the Demon or are there others in the pipeline? I'm a serial modeller, one at a time. The only time I have more than one going on is when I'm waiting for aftermarket to arrive for the other. The Demon took longer than usual (I typically finish four-five models per year) due to the amount of work involved plus some other issues, like the pneumonia that took me out of commission for a few weeks. Plus a couple of vacations and the usual babysitting for the grandkids and the next thing you know it's August. On 07/08/2022 at 06:07, Sky Keg said: Bill my friend, a standing ovation is in order for you after this incredible accomplishment you made. I tried the Emhar Demon kit and immediately gave up knowing it was far too crude to try and create anything special however you have done just that. Thanks. Even some of the most basic kits can be made into something. Not all of them, of course. In the case of the Demon there was quite a bit of aftermarket available for the Emhar kit. This project would have been easier, I think, if I used the Sword kit but it wasn't around when I bought all the stuff I used to make this model. On 07/08/2022 at 06:16, Wulfman said: An epic build on the very basic kit, superb modelling ! Thanks. It came out better than I initially expected. However, I reserve the word epic for Homer. And I don't mean Simpson! On 07/08/2022 at 11:18, Maginot said: Neat! Good to see these less common types from the 50s presented on this forum. I agree! The 50s and 60s are when I was born and grew up, so I feel a lot of affinity to those times. The 50s especially, when it seemed like there were new designs and prototypes coming out every few weeks. A lot of really interesting aeroplanes for sure. On 07/08/2022 at 13:24, corsaircorp said: Congratulations Bill !! Really fine Demon !! Time to restart mines.... That's a lot of work on this kit !! Thanks. Yes, it's time to restart yours - we need more Demons on the forum. Both McDonnell and Hawker. Cheers, Bill 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tailspin Turtle Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Trivia: The Demon was actually "too long"; that resulted in the Phantom II being shorter originally: https://thanlont.blogspot.com/2009/06/missed-it-by-that-much-iii.html 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Simply superb, Bill! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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