Wolfpack MiG Killer - Tamiya 1/32nd F-4C

[11bravo]

Finally wrapped up a year-long build of the Tamiya F-4C/D kit.    This is by far the most involved project I've ever done.    First task before I could even start was the need to remove multiple raised panels from the kit that weren't present on the real thing.  Lots of careful sanding, followed by re-scribing / re-riveting.   Once that arduous task was out of the way, I then rebuilt the intake trunks (the kit ones are hopelessly disjointed).   After that, just a boatload of scratchbuilt detailing, along with aftermarket seats (AMS), instrument panels (Quinta) exhaust nozzles (GT Resin), Mk 117 bombs (VideoAviation), AIM-7 Sparrows (Brassin), AIM-9's (Brassin), wheels (Brassin) and canopies (Airscale).    The decals were from the amazing Fundekals set.     

 

My subject is an early F-4C assigned to the 8th TFW.    These jets were originally in the Navy scheme of grey over gloss white with large, high-viz markings.    As losses from MiG's started to increase, the AF implemented a crash program to camouflage all of their jets.   The jets in theater were painted by contractors, using non-spec paints and patterns.  This led to some wonderful examples of fading and touch up work (using whatever paints were available at the base).     If you want to learn more about this very interesting subject, I highly recommend you read through the amazing Fundekals instructions:   FD32011_Inst.pdf (fundekals.net)

 

Anyway, here is my subject, tail number 63-7589:

 And in real life. 

 Note again the crazy paintwork.   The paint used faded easily and was touched up using random colors.   Makes late-war Luftwaffe paint jobs seem pretty uniform!

Here's 589 in plastic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking, I'll follow up with a few detail shots from various stages of the build.

 

John

Edited January 7, 2023 by 11bravo

[11bravo]

And some detail shots:

 

 

 

 

The AIM-7's tended to get pretty weathered, since unlike the Sidewinders, they typically stayed on the jets for extended time periods.

 

 

 

Nothing is more unrealistic (IMO) than immaculate bombs on a combat jet.   These weapons were typically stored in open-air bomb dumps and were in very rough shape.

 

Added literally hundreds of details to the MER and TER racks.

 

 

 

 

Nice little resin set to add some detail inside the aux air intakes.

 

Aftermarket exhausts are mandatory since the kit parts are much too small. 

 

Nice AMS seats, to represent the early MB Mk5 seats found on the initial F-4C's.  

 

Wheel wells need a lot of extra detail added. 

 

 

 

If anyone's interested, the full WIP is posted over on Large Scale Planes.

 

Thanks for looking lads! 

 

John

[Farmerboy]

Impressive build and superb detailing, must be a big old bird!

[28ZComeback]

Beautiful beautiful beautiful 

[Bertie McBoatface]

That's so filthy. So worn and battered. I love it. 

[Rod bettencourt]

I like it!! Thanks for sharing.

 

Rod

[Pantherhawk27263]

The F-4 is my favorite aircraft of all time and yours is a beauty!!! Very well done.

[Dave Klaatu]

I love the Phantom! Beautiful work, love the detail and the paint! Well done!

[BerndM]

A jaw dropping result.

 

[Linus]

impressionant,......very very beatiful build!

 

[Sky Keg]

That`s the way the Phantom is best remembered.  Combat aircraft are NEVER clean and tidy.  Beautiful presentation!!!!! 

 

Mike

[billn53]

Love the detail work you’ve done, and the final result pulls it all together convincingly! 

[Vultures1]

Excellent work with superb attention to detail - very well done!

[ScaleModeller_54]

Nice looking Phantom , this is one of my favourite aircraft , you have done a excellent job of it 

[Olly Tindall]

No wonder this took a year to complete, absolutely fantastic build 👏 

[Bell209]

Phabulous work!

[2lefthands]

Whats not to love? A behemoth of a model, wonderfully made!

Love the weathering

[Keeff]

One word ..... awesome!  👌

 

Keith 

[DrumBum]

Wow, just…..wow. Fantastic build.

[Alan P]

Beautifully done John. Great eye for detail, not just in the added pipework and cabling but the intricacies of the paintwork as well.

 

These really aren't very good kits by modern standards anymore, despite the eye-watering retail prices! You've done a brilliant job with this, including the wise aftermarket choices.

 

Really well done, great modelling 👍

Alan