Great! No need to modify the tails, then. Yes on the RHAW fairings -- the kit supplies them and my best research photo shows VMFA-232's -Js fitted with them in August 1973 (the photo is of the last Marine Phantom to leave Viet Nam, Bu. Aer. 153796).

Thanks, Berny!

OK guys,

Not much to post, but I thought I'd show that the VMFA-232 jet is standing on its own legs.

Sorry about the crappy pictures.  I'm still trying to learn how to use my camera, and the light box I got for Xmas. 

Anyway, the semester ends this week, which means I'll finally be getting some time to finish these 3 jets off.

As usual, leave your two cents in the bucket on the way out.

Thanks for lookin'!

-O

Oooohhh, man! She is SWEET!!!!! Can't wait to see her finished!!!

M/TB379

O,

Looks great.  I am finally back in the country and things have settled down at work.

I should be able to get back into the swing of things this week.

Cheers,

Gabe

O she is almost there!!! Really looking good!!

Hey O, that is looking sweet!  Even better that it is a Marine bird!  Your builds are going to look awesome with the great ordnance you built for it.

Cheers,

Greg

Oh yeah looking good O!

The ordnance you finished will be the crowning touch.

Quick update from Down Under: The Fujimi -J is moving along. Here she is with filling getting underway on the big joints:

And here she is with those joints smoothed after their second round:

A third and final round of filler is now on, basically touching up areas where the previous sand back took some parts too deep or uneven. With this operation completed, my next job will be to rescribe a fair few of the very fine recessed panel lines, including giving the model a thorough wash to coax away sanding dust. From that point there's not much construction to do (small dressing parts now) before it's time to get some paint on her. Canopy masking will be fun, as I've become a bit dependant on die-cut sets lately. And that can't happen until those resin bang seats are finished and installed, either.

I'll be away for a couple of days, but should be logging some progress next week.

That is all, men. Carry on (saluting).

Mike/Tb379

Looking good Mike!!!!

OK Phanatics,

The last post was late last week, so I figured now would be a good time to show off my first completed build.

Here's Revellogram's 1/48 -J with a few odds-and-ends added:

I’ll post a full write-up with additional pix once all three jets are done.

Let me know what you think.  Please drop your two cents in the bucket on your way out.

Cheers!

-O

O that is just beautiful mate!!!! I built the same kit years ago as Showtime 100, Randy Cunningham,s bird. Enjoyed the build immensely but pales in comparison to yours. WELL DONE!!!!

Echoing Richie, O, that is one stunning build! To get a result like that from the old Revel-Monogram molds is just superb modeling! My helmet is off to you, sir!

I'll add your build to the roll of honour, you may take the badge of your choice!

Cheers, M/Tb379

O, that is one Phabulous looking Phantom.  Nice job on the weathering.  Not over done but looks like a real Phantom would look like.

Thanks for the kudos everyone!  I really appreciate it.

berny13

O, that is one Phabulous looking Phantom.  Nice job on the weathering.  Not over done but looks like a real Phantom would look like.

berny, thanks a bunch!  Coming from someone who has spent so much time around the real thing, your compliment really means a lot!

Cheers gang! 

So, the semester's over and now I have my evenings to work on the VF-84 & 111 jets.  I'll show progress on those as it comes, then I'll get all three photographed and posted when they're done.

Thanks again!

-O

Hey O, she looks tremendous! Great work! Looking forward to seeing the others.

Tbolt: looking good!

berny13

OK, Manny, I see what you mean about the chin dome.  A file and sandpaper will fix that problem if you want to build the F-4C.  The commentary is wrong about one thing.  It was not an IRST on the F-4C.  Only the F-4A carried the IRST sensor, with the chin dome on the F-4B/C/D housing ECM gear.  The reason the F-4D had a different shape was it had a different ECM with a larger processor housed in the dome.  Also they were always called chin domes rather than chin pods.  Never trust a civilian to get anything right.     

I have the kit now and went ahead and got the Aires resin exhaust set as well as some Eduard pre-painted pe for it...gonna do the Old's bird (post Operation Bolo)...this is a very nice kit in this scale and really has a nice cockpit w/o any AM...the decal sheet is almost worth the price by itself...  

All,

Thought I'll post some update photos and where I stand at the moment.

Decals are from CamDecals and are on most of the aircraft.  Need to do a "Sludge" wash on the landing gear and put bare-metal foil on struts.  Finish up on ordinance and canopy.

Currently getting over a flu/virus and then I can keep going.

Gabe

Wow, Gabe, what can I say? There are some seriously beautiful Phantoms happening, and I'm so glad I launched this GB!

You have a clean presentation but with enough variety of tonality for the model to have that "real" feel -- I'm really looking forward to seeing her on her wheels and properly attired with underwing things!

Refresh my memory, Hasegawa 1:48?

Superb!

M/TB379

Nice choice of markings Gabe.  That yellow really looks sharp!

Cheers!

-O

Gabe that is really looking good Mate!!!! Like those colorful ones!!

Thanks for your kind words.  It is coming on as well as I like it to.

It is a Hasegawa F-4B/N in 1:48.  It's an old kit that I have been waiting to do as a Group Build.

I hope to have this on wheels more sooner than later.

Thanks for all you support.

Cheers,

Gabe

Gabe, what can I say...  PHANTASTC!!!

Okay guys, I'm FINALLY back, and  I finally have some pics to show.  I just unmasked a portion of the fuselage, hoping to add a couple of coats of Future tomorrow in prep for decals.  This is my first camo paintjob.  Don't mind the background!

Everyone's progress looks awesome!

Bob

Bob -- terrific spraywork! I love multi-tone camouflage schemes and US SEA camo has always been a challenge. I free-handed a Revell Phantom into SEA camo in 1979, it was the first model I ever airbrushed, in fact I actually sprayed over an already brushed paintjob to get the soft edge look. It didn't look as good as this, I assure you!

Can't wait to see her evolve through the decals and warload stages!

For myself, I have a production line of MB-7 ejection seats happening, as I now have three Phantoms underway, the Fujimi -J, a Fujimi -E and a Hasegawa -C, though only the -J is likely to be finished for this GB. The other two will be an experiment in finishing techniques. I'm using the Hasegawa kit seats as they're not too far from reality (though will need tape harnesses) and two sets of True Details replacement seats for the Fujimis. Mounting them will be an adventure, as getting the height right is always a matter of sanding or shimming.

Cheers, M/TB379

Bob,

Looking good so far.

Since being a part of this Group Build, I have taken a liking to the Phantoms.  I purchased another one yesterday at my Model Club.  Brought another RF-4B in USMC markings.  This time it has engraved panel lines.  Better for me so I can do a sludge wash on it.

I'll start this one once I am finished this.

Cheers,

Gabe

Help, another stupid question all you guys already know, how is the future floor wax applied? is there more than one type available? I have about 10 coats of clear on mine and it does not seem enough.

Hey x,

Try this article from forum member Swanny: http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html 

It's very informative.  Hope this helps!

Cheers,

-O

Thanks for the info oortiz10, thats what I needed to know, I got the wrong stuff and its not shiney, did decals today but  I'm not happy. The decals were too old and don't stick. I will try future and new decals. Alot has changed since 1983.

Well, Mine's exactly the same way it was since I last posted 2 months or so ago. Things have kept me from even looking at it since then.

Anyways, I think I can finally get started on the color coats this weekend. Yes, I'm knocking on wood as we read. Or as you read since I already read it while I wrote it. Which will mean that I will have already knocked on wood.

Oh now I'm confusing myself, so I'll shut up before I confuse y'all

Bob- she looks like a winner so far!

Thankfully close to finished here, ran out of clear flat and as soon as I get some more I ought be be 99.99% done. Cross your fingers...