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Starting my F-4 Phantom Thunderbird build

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  • Member since
    January 2015
Starting my F-4 Phantom Thunderbird build
Posted by TheMongoose on Sunday, January 15, 2017 8:20 PM

Well, my wife got this for me 3 years ago for my birthday and I've finally got all the ideas for it flushed out so i can get going. I started with the stand on this one. I bent the acrylic rod with my heat gun. Found the plastic bolt and nut in the specialty fastener bin at Home Depot. when it's done I'll put a mirror under it so you can see the Thunderbird graphics below as well. Today I got the seemless intakes fitted up. These are a huge savings in filler!

Best part of the week was going up to Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland. All these years in the area and i never knew they had a Thunderbird and Blue Angel F-4 on display out front! I got lots of close ups to help with the details and painting. Mine is the 1/32 Tamiya F-4E.

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Monday, January 16, 2017 7:54 AM

Everything's great.  I especially love the stand!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Monday, January 16, 2017 11:35 AM

I thought that static display bird looked familiar!  Have been there many times.  Will be following along on this one.

Mike

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Monday, March 6, 2017 6:19 PM

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Monday, March 6, 2017 9:17 PM
Very nice progress!
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 5:51 AM
Excellent. The engines look like a copy of the picture

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Sunday, March 12, 2017 4:18 PM

I got quite a bit done this Weekend. Here's a few shots of what i have done dry fit together. Yesterday i did the pe in the cockpit, all that's left is the seats and pilots now. Today i put the intakes on and lined things up.

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Monday, March 27, 2017 8:33 PM

Made some progress on the cockpit this weekend. I have to save the right arms for after i put it in the plane so you'll see them laying amuck...it wasn't a Wookie that tore them off.

I added some white to the royal blue and drybrushed the uniforms. Next I plan to use a wash to try and bring out some shadows in the creases. Any advice on how to make it all look sharper would be great.

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    October 2008
Posted by RedLeg0811 on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 5:09 PM
That is looking nice. I am working on the 1/32 Revell RF-4C. Very slowly as I am also working on a Spitfire. Decided to PE up the cockpit. This is my first real foray into PE. I am currently working on aftermarket seats. Sort of a love hate feeling. Is that a seamless sucker intake? If so worth the money? I really like the job you did on the exhaust. Kit or aftermarket? Can you go into a bit of how you painted them? Thanks Martin
  • Member since
    June 2016
  • From: Bristol CT
Posted by XF-15DCC on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 5:28 PM

Coming along nicely. 

It was hard enough keeping an F-15C clean, can even think on how hard it was to keep a white F-4 white!

 

Kevin

We live in fame or go down in flame. 

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 6:32 PM

Hey Martin, thanks for the compliment on the exhaust. I primered them with Citadel's chaos black...because i found the vallejo primer peeled right off the resin parts. I used Vallejo metal colors - Black as the base, i handpainted it on To try and add some texture both inside and outside. I used jet exhaust on the inside exhaust flaps. I applied tamiya clear green on the outside of just the rectangular stiffener style pieces at the end of the nozzle flap, not sure what they are called but they have the bolts on them, then put jet exhaust over that to get the color in the photo. I used duraluminum to represent how the flaps scrape the paint off each other as they open and close. I tried to stroke the brush around the nozzle to get the worn affect to look like it was from the motion of the flaps against each other. Then i put 2 coats of matt varnish on everything because it still looked too shiny using the metal colors.

i used GT Resins for the exhaust and the seemless intakes. Both sets are of course way more detailed then the kit parts. The value is really evident on the intakes because the 3-piece kit parts would only look ok after hours and hours of work. 

I have to agree with you on the PE! This is my 2nd time using it and it has been better than the 1st. I still lost 2 parts that committed suicide by jumping from my tweezers. So far on this size model I really find it adds something to the kit. On my 1/48 scale kit most of it seemed to be lost to sight.

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    October 2008
Posted by RedLeg0811 on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 9:06 AM

Thanks for the write up.

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 10:30 AM

Amazing detail!  I'm looking foreward to the completion.

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 5:48 PM

I had to decide whether to line up the panel lines or mount the intakes aligned with the top of the fuselage as recommended. Since i know how to putty and sand but nothing about rescribing i took the safe route for me on this build. Here's what it looks like before the final coat of primer...

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Friday, April 7, 2017 10:34 PM

I have the metal done on the stabilizers now. I put down citadel chaos black as the initial primer. its used alot for figures I'm told. I like it for the smooth, thin coat that goes on. I seem to have better luck with vallejo paint sticking to it rather than using their primers right on the plastic. So next i put on the vallejo gloss black primer for metal colors. Then matte aluminum on the stabilizer and magnesium for the center section. The center section almost matches the royal blue on the display bird. I laid out all my metal colors trying to find the best match. After this dries I'm going to try and do some weathering so it matches the real thing better.

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Sunday, April 9, 2017 12:36 PM

I can't comment on the rest because you're nailing it all, literally picture perfect. What can be said? Lol

But to answer your pilot question, they look great. I would only try a medium- dark blue wash to give the flight suits some added depth. Otherwise I wouldn't change a thing.

You have a serious eye for realism! I am seriously impressed with that skill!

Keep it up!!! :D

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Sunday, April 9, 2017 6:23 PM
Thanks Mike! This thread is becoming my progress based on all the questions im asking in the forums. Ive had a few redos so it's great to hear its looking good as i go through each bit of assembly. I'm going to try your idea for the blue wash as I'm not happy with the black pinwash i tried. It didn't seem to add anything.

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Sunday, April 9, 2017 6:48 PM

A black pin wash is good for defining separations between the sleeve cuffs and gloves, but I wouldn't try it over the entire figure. The results, if heavy enough, will make the figure look more like a cell animation than a life-like figure.

But a wash with a darker tone of the base color will add more definition and get you more realistic results.

Happy to help!  

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Monday, April 10, 2017 7:00 PM

I tried a wash of dark blue tonight. This is roughly 1/1/4 water/dish soap/acrylic paint. I waited 20 minutes and then moistened a paper towel and rubbed the surface gently to remove wash from the flat surfaces. I put down a gloss clear first btw.

 

 

I roughed up a toothpick tip and Dabbed some stars on the back of their helmets. Appropriate for 1/32 scale lol this may need improved later but when i look at pilots in the cockpit you can't tell their stars right?

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Friday, April 14, 2017 10:04 AM

 I made significant progress this week. I have the lights mounted for the afterburners and I have the fuselage fitted and glued together! The fit has been just great. I was also thrilled I didn't break anything while doing this. Seems like alot of work to get the fit the way I want it but I keep saying it's worth it. Now I just have to relax and go find something else to do so I don't go fiddling with it while it dries.

  

 

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Friday, April 14, 2017 10:24 AM

Just saw this thread. Love the Phantom so I will be watching this one.

Phantastic job on the cans, pit and crew.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 4:07 PM

It's starting to look like a Phantom! I just finished the leading edges of all the wing surfaces. this is vallejo metal paint - using aluminum for the leading edges. 

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Saturday, April 29, 2017 2:04 PM

 

I've got the first coat of finish paint on the bottom of the fuselage! I'm soooo happy to finally get to this point. Learned something else, even though I practiced on the C-54, I had some stray fibers all over the bottom. I'm using a lens cleaning cloth prior to painting. First time I've had this problem, but that's why I started on the bottom. Will find my tac cloth before i start the top. Looks like I should be done with the major portion, if not all, of the painting this weekend...the wife wants to go out tonight so maybe done by Monday

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Sunday, April 30, 2017 3:29 PM

One step closer! Here's the top... I almost messed this up. Had a horrible time with paint. My "dust" was really dried paint from airbrush. My first batch today was too thin and it ran. Since it's Vallejo i just wiped the plane down with a rag and reshot it with no retarder or thinner. That combo worked. I have alot more experiments too with this paint. 

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: 29° 58' N 95° 21' W
Posted by seasick on Sunday, April 30, 2017 8:27 PM

2.33 *10^23 thumbs up.

Chasing the ultimate build.

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Saturday, May 6, 2017 8:54 PM

Big numbers really appeal to the engineer in me, even if it is chemistry...avagodro's number?

 

Really looking the part now! Even though it's not that visible i spent some time on the reo today. After seeing a few threads on modifying figures I cut his arm off and repositioned it so both weren't holding the stick. Turned out pretty decent. Had to do a repair on the wing...the gloss varnish dried yellow? Too thick I'm thinking? If you've experienced this let me know if that's the right thought process?

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Sunday, May 7, 2017 10:59 AM

Oh yes, this is looking very nice. 

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Sunday, May 14, 2017 10:18 PM

Didn't do much this weekend as it was nice out and the yard needed mowed...yada yada yada lol. I did get the decals done on the bottom of the fuselage though, as well as finishing my C-54 which you can check out in the multi-prop group build. Here's the latest on the Phantom -

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Saturday, May 20, 2017 1:07 AM

I couldn't wait to get started on the Thunderbird again this weekend. Tonight I got the red striping on the nose and the smoke canisters painted white and blue. 3:1 Prussian Blue to Gloss black seems to be pretty close. I'll put a gloss coat on n it and i think it'll be a close match. Tomorrow, well actually later today seeing as 2am came pretty quick, I will put the blue stripe on the nose and the us air force decals on the sides and then i can let everything dry before glossing all the decals.

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by PFJN on Saturday, May 20, 2017 8:25 AM

Hi,

Your paintjob looks great.

Pat

1st Group BuildSP

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