Looking for a better 1:48 Blue Angels Phantom

Devil Dawg

Darren, I just gotta ask - where do you keep all of your completed builds? You've shown so many on the forums that it seems like you've probably got at least a hundred, if not more, completed builds to display! Must be a huge display case that you have! Love seeing your work on the forums, by the way. Very impressive!

I'm following this thread with interest because my Wife wants me to do the Blue Angels she saw at an air show but i also want a quality kit to start with. Snap Tite's are all over the place in B.A scheme but I wanna do a better one as well.

Thanks for the offer.  At this point I'm going to look at the Academy.  Let me know when you get back

Darren, I just gotta ask - where do you keep all of your completed builds? You've shown so many on the forums that it seems like you've probably got at least a hundred, if not more, completed builds to display! Must be a huge display case that you have! Love seeing your work on the forums, by the way. Very impressive!

I'd give the Academy kit a try. I believe the Blues had the short nozzles, which the Academy kit gives you (as well as the long nozzles). Both the Hasegawa and Monogram will work as well. While the Hasegawa is very nice, I have to respectfully disagree that they blow the Monogram out of the water. I actually know quite a few builders who still like the Monogram shape over the Hasegawa shape. As one guy said, the Monogram kit just "has more Phantomness to it." With some effort, the Monogram kit can look very nice. Here are a couple of examples that I've done.

stcat

If it's just a better F-4J, would you have tips for who would carry blue angel decals for that period?

Thanks

stcat,

I might have a spare set of 1/48 Revell / Monogram F-4J Blue Angels decals at home.  I won't be able to confirm for another few weeks though as The Boss and I are on vacation in Florida.  I'll look in the decal folder when I get home and get back to you, if those decals will suit your needs?  I would imagine that you can use them and get a bottle of Blue Angels yellow to do any touch ups.

Mike

You might try a stab at the Academy F-4J as a starting point.  I believe Cam Pro makes decals.  The Academy kit is a bit newer than the old Hasegawa kit and builds up beautifully.  I'm not sure what additional modifications the Blues made to the Phantom.  I remember being in High School when we had a Blue Angels pilot come and speak to the class.  He said something to the effect that their aircraft are mostly the same as active service aircraft, save for the smoke unit and some tweaks to the controls.  Though that was with the F-18.

The Hasegawa one of course!! Beautiful kit, hands down. Both the raised panel and recessed panel line versions blow the Monogram, Revell one out of the water. The Recessed panel lined boxing is kit # 09403 I believe??