SaintsPhil Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Well I've still not finished my other 2 phantoms but why let that stop me entering a 3rd! I discovered this kit by accident, took a punt on eBay as it was cheapish! I had read one review that said it was ok! I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box! I think it's of the same standard as the ESCI first gen harrier kits. See for your selves: Few closeups to show the very nice surface detail As with the harriers the cockpit is a little sparse... So I got this to spruce it up a bit! Only minor issue is it's for the Has kit so it may not fit that well! Also I think the F4J(UK) probably has a different pit layout to the Typical J variant, but it's got to look better than the kit offering! I've also got FOD covers These are for the revell kit so I'm not sure how well they'll fit, if they don't I'll use them as a template to make some, then of course I'll have to buy the revell kit to go with them.... Finally the kit seats are the real low point, after shelling out for the PE I didn't want to waste half by not using the details for the seats and buy resin ones. Fortunately a kind BMer helped me out (as they usually do!). Thanks to FZ6 (Mark) for these from the revell kit, they have great detail anyway but I'm going to add the belts etc. Both my other 2 entries are getting some paint presently so I'll kick this one off in-between coats! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Another one? You're turning into a bit of a Group Build Groupie! Seriously though, I'll be keeping an eye on this as I've also seen mixed reviews on this one and I'm kind of tempted to get it to do an F-4J(UK) too. I kind of baulk at the cost of the Hasegawa F-4Js, even though they are rather good they're not worth the prices being asked these days. If you haven't got it already, get your hands on Aeroguide 25 McDonnell Douglas F-4J(UK) Phantom. It's 36 pages devoted to 74 Sqdns planes, lots of pics and info (especially useful is the run down on the painting in the US with FS equivalents of BS greys). Your presumption that the cockpits would be slightly different to standard Js would seem to be right. Aeroguide doesn't gp into detail, but mentions that they were some kind of hybrid of F-J and F-4K/M. It also notes that when intially delivered, the ejector seats were the US Navy types which weren't compatible with British flying kit at the time. I would assume this means there is some kind of hardly noticable in 1/72 difference in the Personal Equipment Connectors(PEC) rather than some huge difference in the shape of the seat itself. Looking forward to your progress, Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 Thanks Mark, You're right I am addicted to GB at the moment! I hope I'll get this one done as we've just bought a house, which needs renovation so the pressures on to get it done before we move, which hopefully will be a week or 2 before the GB deadline! I've got the aeroguide, had a quick look last night, limited pics of the pit, but as you say the colour guides will be useful! Plus it has some detail on this aircraft. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I've got to agree limited pics on the pit are a bit disappointing as normally Aeroguides are quite good in this respect. I was rooting through the stash a couple of nights back to find my entry for this GB. All I'm saying is that it will be British and it'll be made from a Fujimi kit, so watch this space.... Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 I was hoping for a shot of above the rear seat IP, I can see there's a periscope like the FGR2, so I might just assume they crammed similar gear up there! I'll be watching out for yours then Mark! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Well if that's the case, get yourself a copy of Verlinden Lock On No.10 as it has two superb images of exactly what you are looking for. In fact, here's a couple of images to get you started with colours etc, but they don't show the top of the rear IP. http://www.f4phantoms.co.uk/cockpit.html The periscope is pretty much the only obvious addition and bolts straight onto the canopy frame between the two cockpits. Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 Cheers Mark, They're spot on! Not found any colour pics before! Confirmed what I thought the Eduard colour PE is too light grey! Might have to try repainting!! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Happy to help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 Ok I'm back with an update, I got a but carried away between updates, but I did take pics as I went. Pit with Eduard PE, I repainted the Grey bits of the PE to match the grey of the pit, as they where too light! I scratch built the rear IP too as the kit part is the wrong shape for the PE! Bang seats, from Revell kit plus PE belts, I think the belts might be the wrong colour as these are meant for the US seat but never mind! Scratch built rear side panel. Fit of the kit is pretty good! So it's together! Filler and plasticard shims in the usual spots on a phantom kit! Few nasty sink marks too. The panel lines are a little shallow so I've recur them all, made a few mistakes but I'll correct them after primer. I also added some rivets to exhaust area, never done this before and I'm happy with result! I'm annoyed I didn't add some detail behind the rear IP, it's a little hollow there so I may try and correct that! Otherwise she's about ready for primer! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 You've fairly cracked on with that! It'll be caught up with the other 2 you've got on the go in no time. Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 I got most of yesterday on it so made good progress! The other 2 are at the slow stage waiting for varnish to dry, they should be RFI by end of next weekend with some luck! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 Update time, Got a fair bit done this weekend as the girlfriend went to see her sister! I got a coat of primer on Friday afternoon, so that dried overnight, I then sprayed a thin coat of Tamyia XF4 Yellow Green, over the areas that would be the US attempt at cammo grey! Id read that part of the reason the paint looked a funny shade is that they'd been sparing with the top coat and the primer showed through! I left the patches where I'd added more filler after priming as I figured it would all add to the interesting colour scheme! Next pre shade on the underside, I used DSG rather than black as its light grey top coat. Then I sprayed the light grey and did a touch of post shading This pic was actually taken at the end so the metallics are done too here! Next up topside pre shade then the odd duck egg colour! I used Tamyia XF23 light blue mixed with a little XF53 Neutral Grey, sprayed thinly over the XF4 it gave a reasonable colour match I think! Then the inner wing upper surfaces where sprayed XF53. Both had some post shading done. Lastly the tail was sprayed black and the metallics done using citadel chain mail and bolt gun, with a thin cost of tamyia smoke over the top once dry! One long weekend with the airbrush later I got here: Some touch ups needed, plus I realised after I'd painted the main colours that the stabs needed the raised lumps removing! So a bit of work to do then gloss coat and decals! Thanks for looking Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Well I've still not finished my other 2 phantoms but why let that stop me entering a 3rd!I discovered this kit by accident, took a punt on eBay as it was cheapish! I had read one review that said it was ok! I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box! I think it's of the same standard as the ESCI first gen harrier kits. Would agree with that - until the arrival of the Fujimi (and later new Hasegawa) kits this was by far the best Phantom in 1/72, it was a revalation when it came out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 Great kit! It's gone together really nicely too, just waiting for something to catch me out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 (edited) Ok another update! After a couple of costs of quickshine I've decalled her, but of a mixed bag of decals. Some from the kit, some from a Fujimi FGR2 (the one I'm doing for this GB) dome from spares and the serial number tiger stripes and tiger on the nose from the AM decals, that's all you get!! Following decals was more quickshine and then a pin wash with Windsor and newton oils plus oil and dirt smears. I tend not to weather display scheme jets as they tend to get looked after better than the others, or at least they got painted more recently.... However I figured this one hadn't been painted so it would be a bit dirty! Matt coat tomorrow then time to add the fiddly bits and she's done! Thanks for looking Phil Edited October 25, 2011 by SaintsPhil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 This is coming along very nicely! I too was much surprised at a 1:72 scale ESCI F-4C kit that I picked up at a garage sale for $1.00 - it looked quite nice in the box, but I've had many kits that meet that criteria and still end up in the bin! Now I know from seeing your kit go together that it should build up nicely too! Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 Thanks Bill, Assuming the kit is the same basic kit then I can highly recommend it! You got a bargain there!! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 (edited) Oooooh, that's looking a bit tasty! Looking forward to the big reveal on this one now. Mark. Edited October 25, 2011 by Harry Lime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 Cheers Mark, Don't hold you breath though, I always get distracted at this point and start something new! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Don't you dare start anything new!!! Focus. Eyes on the prize. You're 5 metres out from the try line, get the ball out the ruck, quick hands and crash over the line in style! Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 Too late! Got to do something while the varnish dries... That sounds like my one and only try from a short rugby career.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 D'oh! I never played beyond my school years. Turned out for my ATC wing against Somerset and Avon(?) wing at RAF Locking Moor nearly 20 years ago now. I remember 2 things, 1. The base was a bit of a dump, but it did have a Gnat as a gate guard. I thought this was a bit odd as it was a signals establishment IIRC. 2. We lost. Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintsPhil Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 I played union at school, league at uni then union again for a season after uni. My only try was a 2yrd dash to the line in a game we lost 70 odd points to 5! Still I scored all the points!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Lime Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Glad to see you only crossed over to the dark side for a season! Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periklis_sale Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 WoW!! this looks amazing my friend!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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