Hasegawa F-4's

I am not sure it is something I am pondering this as a future build. Way off in the future. I just wish that they would release an S as a standard release.

I have a newer F-4E, their F-4E 30th aniversary kit with the NJ markings. My plan was to purchase a newer J model and swap the wings with the new E and the new J. I have an older B and an older J that I got from Ebay last year. I am holding off on those two as I plan to rescribe the panel lines. I am taking my time in getting to those I am just not ready for that Gigantic leap yet. I am working on my first full build in over 12 years or so.

As far as markings go. I will decide that when the time comes. I have lots to work on in the meantime. But I just have to wait for money for supplies and such. Thanks for the response. Take care.

Any more help you can provide will be very appreciated. Thanks.

I remember Hasegawa releasing a 1/48 F-4S more than 12 years ago. It is hard to find. IIRC, it was one of the “Hi-Grade” kits, with white metal landing gear, vinyl tires & a PE fret. I’ve seen this kit for sale at a few shows, & it was always going for around $100. If you can get your hands on Hasegawa #09353 VX-4 “Vandy 1”, buy it. The box says it’s an F-4J, but the kit contains their F-4S fuselage halves (with molded on formation lights), the current mold J wings (recessed panel lines), AND the current slatted E wings (yup, two sets of wings in one kit).

Berny gave you good info, but in my opinion, the difference between the E & S slats in 48th may not be worth the time to correct them, especially if you leave them in the position molded on the kit (retracted). Lengthening the wing fence, or making a whole new one, is not that difficult in 1/48th. The formation lights can be easily made from card stock, or just use decals

You stated you have the old mold J kit, so I’m going to bet that’s the one with the raised panel lines & Air Force style rear cockpit. You’ll be left with an odd bag of recessed wing panel lines, & raised fuselage panel lines.

You & I share the same plans of swapping wings to make an early, non-slatted E, & an S, but Hasegawa saved me the trouble with the release of their Thunderbirds F-4E kit, with non-slatted wings, which in turn allowed me to have the parts to build another F-4S with the stuff I already have.

What decals are you going to use on the S?

Chris Ishmael, with 17 Hase F-4’s in the stash

I wish Hasegawa would just release one outright. Thanks for the information Berny, But i am not at that level yet.

The only problem with swaping the wings is the forward missile wells do not line up correctly. A little sanding on the forward missiles and installing them in the wells will solve that problem.

The leading edge slats (LES) on the S model were different than the E model. The inboard LES on the S looked like an L laying on its side. With a little bit of card stock and some blending and sanding, it should be an easy fix. Also the S had a larger wing fence than the E model. That again can be made from card stock.

It wouldn't be hard at all to convert the J into an S with the wing swap. I thought about doing it years ago, but never got around to it.