I started with this kit when i spotted it on sale and thought it would be a good companion for my F-4G Phantom. When I began to assemble the cockpit, I realized the kit supplied decals for the instrument panels were too large and I just wasn't happy with them. A quick check on the net found an Eduard PE kit for this kit and placed my order.
I also realized the kit came with a full sheet of decals for not only the plane, but also the underwing pylons and weapons! Unfortunately Trumpeter provided no guide for the placement of these decals, something that has been noted in several online reviews of this kit. Days of research did little to help and finally turned here for help. A kind soul here had recently built a 1/32nd scale Trumpeter kit and made photocopies of his decal guide for me! That problem solved and I again thank the member here for for that!
When the parts arrived, I happily began assembling some of the PE parts, and I also removed the control sticks from the cockpit tub, and dropped it into some Pollyscale EZ-lift off. In the mean time, I managed to damage a couple of the PE parts in my over enthusiasm and had another piece launch from my tweezers into the unknown.......I then ordered another set and waited for it to arrive.
The forgotten cockpit tub spent several days in the paint stripper, and when finally remembered and rescued, I found it had partially dissolved and had developed several cracks, and even broken into pieces! Disaster! I tried to fix it by putting it back together and painting it, but it just looked bad. I made the decision to make an attempt at scratch building.
As I have little experience with scratch building, it has been very slow, with many restarts and redo's until finally the tub with all the bulkheads and side panels have taken shape! Gluing in tiny bits of styrene and brass for the details as copied from the original, and constant test fittings to the fuselage, with many corrections! I am even a bit pleased with what I have been able to produce!
Now I am approaching the point where soon I can remount the control sticks......if I ever find them! I seem to remember putting them someplace 'safe' but I can not figure just where that 'safe' place was! It must be so safe, that it is hidden even from me! I have searched every drawer, bag, box, and storage container they could possibly be in and even some placed where they couldn't be! I even hand vacuumed the entire floor around the work area with a net across the hose in case they had been knocked to the floor! But that was in vain! Now it looks as if I may also need to make them as well!
With all these problems, I'm getting frustrated as h*ll!