Ridley Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 (edited) This is my homage to the 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, The Black Knights of Keflavik that I completed in late 2021. As a crew chief at RAF Upper Heyford, the Black Knights would come to visit us on occasion in their F-4Es. The interceptor grey scheme, after the Thunderbirds, is the prettiest scheme to adorn an F-4 (IMHO). Until I saw the Speed Hunter Graphics Decals issue an F-4C option, I had no idea any of the 'C's were painted as such. As it turns out, 63-7589, was the only 'C' to receive this full livery just a few months prior to being phased out; making way for the 'E's to assume the role of Icelandic Air Defense. I used the excellent Zoukei-Mura 1/48th F-4C, Hypersonic's F-4C fuselage correction, canopy details, horizontal stab pivots, and engine exhaust nozzles; Eduard Cockpit Photo-Etch, PJ Production Pilots, metal pitot and static tubes, Speed Hunter Graphics decals, and AK paint. Shortly after receiving this kit, it was pointed out that the rear fuselage contours were inaccurate, and Hypersonic offered a correction kit, and I took the bait. It was quite the challenge. The mod took several extra man-hours, caused a lot of problems with fitting the rest of the wings and fuselage together, and in the end it was the equivalent of killing a mosquito with a sledgehammer. I've included those on-the-bench pics at the end of this post in case anyone else is leaning towards this undertaking. It's definitely not for the faint of heart and I wouldn't do it again. You'll note that the aircraft is pretty clean. I meant it that way as this was a fresh, short-lived paint job; and she didn't have much time to get grimy. Only a few months after the new livery, 589 was retired to finish her life as an airborne battle damage repair trainer. A sad end for a MIG Killer, or any aircraft for that matter. Another note on this build. At this time in my life I was in denial that the cataracts in my eyes were progressing rapidly to the point of affecting my lively hood. At the same time it was getting more difficult to work on models. After successful lens replacement surgery, this kit project looked absolutely God-awful. So, I stripped it back down and started over again. Luckily I hadn't gotten to the decal stage yet, otherwise you'd be looking at a Michigan ANG scheme. The end was more satisfying than usual just because of the double effort to get it right. I'm still not happy with my pilots, but I've never been good at figures. Somewhere down the road I may rework them. And please ignore the base. I have an idea for a diorama but that too is left for 'down the road'. So, here it is. All comments and criticisms are welcome. Thanks for looking and enjoy! Original on the left, correction on the right Final assembly Edited September 21, 2022 by Ridley 47 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 That's a lovely build! Always liked the 57th camo F-4C's with the full checkerboard fin and tailplanes, and the grey E's in the slightly more 'subdued' scheme! I also didn't know there was a grey C, and that looks equally as good - and especially when modelled as nicely as yours! Top job! Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Phantastic! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 That looks superb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridley Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share Posted September 19, 2022 55 minutes ago, keefr22 said: That's a lovely build! Always liked the 57th camo F-4C's with the full checkerboard fin and tailplanes, and the grey E's in the slightly more 'subdued' scheme! I also didn't know there was a grey C, and that looks equally as good - and especially when modelled as nicely as yours! Top job! Keith Thanks very much Keith. 49 minutes ago, Hook said: Phantastic! Thank you! 30 minutes ago, Stephen said: That looks superb. Thank you Stephen. Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Nice model However, you've reposted a copyright image from Airliners.net. They don't like that, and I understand have become litigious in the past, so we ask all member to post links to the original pics if they want people to see them. I've removed yours, which you'd got on your Flickr account, which breached their copyright. There's a notice about it somewhere on the site - I've forgotten where, and you're new, so we won't send the boys round to beat you up this time 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisj2003 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Phabulous clean rhino. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 (edited) A stunning Phantom in what I too regard as the nicest scheme to adorn a USAF F-4C/E. The F-15s looked good in it too. Mark Edited September 19, 2022 by canberraman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridley Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share Posted September 19, 2022 26 minutes ago, Chrisj2003 said: Phabulous clean rhino. Chris Thank you Chris. Don't see too many clean ones, do we? 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridley Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share Posted September 19, 2022 24 minutes ago, canberraman said: A stunning Phantom in what I too regard as the nicest scheme to adorn a USAF F-4C/E. The F-15s looked good in it too. Mark Thanks Mark. Yep, the F-15s looked pretty clean in this scheme as well. 58 minutes ago, Mike said: Nice model However, you've reposted a copyright image from Airliners.net. They don't like that, and I understand have become litigious in the past, so we ask all member to post links to the original pics if they want people to see them. I've removed yours, which you'd got on your Flickr account, which breached their copyright. There's a notice about it somewhere on the site - I've forgotten where, and you're new, so we won't send the boys round to beat you up this time Copy all Mike. I'll do better 😉 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark V Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Very nice! Thanks for the info/photos on the fuselage inserts. I have a ZM F-4S in the build pile. I don’t think I will go there with mine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Beautiful Phantom II 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted September 19, 2022 Share Posted September 19, 2022 Lovely job on a lovely scheme, I do like ADC grey early F-4s, i have a Michigan ANG bird planned for one day…. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridley Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share Posted September 19, 2022 7 hours ago, Mark V said: Very nice! Thanks for the info/photos on the fuselage inserts. I have a ZM F-4S in the build pile. I don’t think I will go there with mine. Thanks. Glad to help 🙂 3 hours ago, ForestFan said: Lovely job on a lovely scheme, I do like ADC grey early F-4s, i have a Michigan ANG bird planned for one day…. Cheers Thanks very much. It was a tough decision between Kef and Michigan. Both beautiful schemes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridley Posted September 19, 2022 Author Share Posted September 19, 2022 3 hours ago, SAT69 said: Beautiful Phantom II Thanks very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Thats a beauty! Used to see them parked up when flagging Kef. I have a 1/72 E to do in Kef markings with decals from Euro decals. Two nice ADC grey schemes but which one? which one? Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridley Posted September 20, 2022 Author Share Posted September 20, 2022 3 hours ago, Pete in a shed said: Thats a beauty! Used to see them parked up when flagging Kef. I have a 1/72 E to do in Kef markings with decals from Euro decals. Two nice ADC grey schemes but which one? which one? Pete Thanks Pete. Thats a tough choice and I've been there myself. Years ago I built a Hasegawa 1/48th F-4E and did #300 of the 57th. I forgot which decals I used but they had three or four 57th options. You can't go wrong with whichever you choose. They're all beautiful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Thanks for the inspiration! I still have these in the Decal Dungeon, as well as a few Hasegawa 'C's with 57th FIS markings. Cheers, Andre 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Excellent work and a great scheme - well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridley Posted September 20, 2022 Author Share Posted September 20, 2022 6 hours ago, Vultures1 said: Excellent work and a great scheme - well done! Thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntPhillips Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Lovely build of a great subject in a colour scheme that really suits it. I have this one in my future build list too using a set of Speed Hunter Graphics decals that includes a few ADC grey a/c, this one from the 57 FIS, along with 2 from Michigan ANG and 1 of Oregon ANG. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcat101 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Phantastic Phantom! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binbrook87 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Phaboulous! Great to see another F-4 on the forum. Great choice of squadron colours on this machine. I never saw the 57th 'C' aircraft, only briefly the latter 'E' model before they transitioned onto the Eagles. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted September 21, 2022 Share Posted September 21, 2022 Excellent! Simply excellent! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridley Posted September 21, 2022 Author Share Posted September 21, 2022 5 hours ago, AntPhillips said: Lovely build of a great subject in a colour scheme that really suits it. I have this one in my future build list too using a set of Speed Hunter Graphics decals that includes a few ADC grey a/c, this one from the 57 FIS, along with 2 from Michigan ANG and 1 of Oregon ANG. Thanks so much. I must have been having an old-timers moment when I wrote the original post. I meant to say Speed Hunter Graphics, not Furball. Great decals and many great choices to choose from. 2 hours ago, billn53 said: Excellent! Simply excellent! Thank you! 5 hours ago, binbrook87 said: Phaboulous! Great to see another F-4 on the forum. Great choice of squadron colours on this machine. I never saw the 57th 'C' aircraft, only briefly the latter 'E' model before they transitioned onto the Eagles. Thanks. No such thing as too many Phantoms, eh? 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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