11bravo Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 (edited) 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 by 11bravo 34 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11bravo Posted January 7 Author Share Posted January 7 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 34 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Impressive build and superb detailing, must be a big old bird! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28ZComeback Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Beautiful beautiful beautiful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 That's so filthy. So worn and battered. I love it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod bettencourt Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 I like it!! Thanks for sharing. Rod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantherhawk27263 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 The F-4 is my favorite aircraft of all time and yours is a beauty!!! Very well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Klaatu Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 I love the Phantom! Beautiful work, love the detail and the paint! Well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndM Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 A jaw dropping result. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 impressionant,......very very beatiful build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 That`s the way the Phantom is best remembered. Combat aircraft are NEVER clean and tidy. Beautiful presentation!!!!! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Love the detail work you’ve done, and the final result pulls it all together convincingly! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Excellent work with superb attention to detail - very well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScaleModeller_54 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 Nice looking Phantom , this is one of my favourite aircraft , you have done a excellent job of it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Tindall Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 No wonder this took a year to complete, absolutely fantastic build 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell209 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Phabulous work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2lefthands Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Whats not to love? A behemoth of a model, wonderfully made! Love the weathering 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeff Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 One word ..... awesome! 👌 Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumBum Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Wow, just…..wow. Fantastic build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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