The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

Sound like what happened to me on my Revell kit.  I snagged a J model last night so I am going to do that instead.

Thunderbolt379

Hi all,

I made a little progress tonight on my Fujimi F-4F. I've been busy with a lot of RL stuff, and a few days ago completed my M110 for Have Gun, Will Travel, so now it's time to divide my time among the other three builds I had hoped to have done this month (fat chance of that...)

I worked on the joints for the Phantom and I must say that all my fiddling to correct the fit of the forward fuselage may have compromised the fit around the intakes. The joints seem just not as accurate as I might have hoped for. Ah well, nearly there... When the canopy is on and masked I think I might use a primer coat on this one to explore the joint work and check for lines that need rescribing.

Cheers, M/TB379

Good afternoon everyone!

Here is my progress so far on my F-4E (Vietnam era) (Hasegawa F-4EJ) Aires cockpit;

Front view of tub:

Left view of tub:

Rear view of tub:

Right view of tub:

Left side wall:

Right side wall:

Front view of first ejection seat:

Left side of first ejection seat:

Front view of second ejection seat:

Left side of second ejection seat:

Top view of pilot's front instrument panel:

Pilot's front instrument panel:

Weapon systems officer's (WSO) front instrument panel:

Behind WSO's front panel:

Top view of several parts still connected to the resin base which consist of (starting at the top) the WSO's radar scope hood, spare WSO's joystick control, spare pilot throtle controls, WSO's throtle controls, pilot's control stick, WSO's control stick, WSO's top instrument panel, and the WSO's radar scope.

Right side of the above parts:

Left side of above parts:

WSO's front instrument panel:

Behind WSO's front panel:

I have a lot more touch up work to do before I will call it finished.  I have also ordered more paint colors from my local hobby shop to finish detailing the cockpit with.  It should be here tomorrow.

Ken

SH -- heck, yeah, go for it! I was going to go back and add a Brit bird but I've not had a chance, so by all means go with this one, it looks great! I usually size standard badges to 150 pixels high, but go with whatever you like!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

It's a WRAP!

From this:

To this:

Guesstimating around 70 hours, 20 of those were on the Eduard Brassin Ejection seats which I highly recommend in this scale. Out of the Verlinden kit I used the canopy PE accs and ''cannibalized'' some of the resin parts to detail the stock cockpit a bit further. In all, I think that I used around 20% of the Verlinden kit, it is a shame that most things on the fret are not mentioned on the instructions sheet. Later on, while looking for random references on the web, I figured out where some of this details were supposed to go, bad thing, it was a bit too late. I was a bit nervous having to use CA for the PE parts on the clear canopy. I've got  ZAP-A-GAP Medium CA+ and worked like a charm, no fumes whatsoever if used with moderation of course.

The FOD covers came from Quick Boost (www.quickboost.net). Just add red paint.

The ladder was optional, I decided to add it to add some contrast to the build.

The model was painted entirely with Acryl Gloss Gull Gray on the top, and Tamiya Gloss white on the bottom using 2 AZTEK AB's. Decals where placed and then coated with Acryl Clear Gloss with the AB. Once the clear dried, I washed it with LAMP BLACK artist oil. After cleaning up the wash, I sealed the whole thing with Acryl Flat clear.

Is my 1st GB, its been very nice. I want to thank all the folks involved and those who have lent a helping hand with info and technical solutions. Thanks to Thunderbolt379 for the initiative.

I re-sized it to 357w by 200h.  At 150 it lost so much detail, you couldn't really make out the markings very well.  Feel free to put it with the others in case anyone else want's to use it if you want.

Rich

Thunderbolt379

SH -- heck, yeah, go for it! I was going to go back and add a Brit bird but I've not had a chance, so by all means go with this one, it looks great! I usually size standard badges to 150 pixels high, but go with whatever you like!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

El Taino.  That is a true thing of beauty.

Rich

George -- that's breathtaking work and you have every right to be very, very proud! I look forward to the time I can add one of these to my stash, and only hope to do it such justice!

Page 1 is updated, you have the GB's second completion!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Very nice Phantom George!  I think it is worthy of entering a contest.  You are a true artist.

Ken

El Taino,

That is sharp!  Really nice!  Seeing your build really makes me wanna start mine.

Wanna...mash...plastic...

Can't...start...yet...

Must...resist...

-O

Looks great El Tiano! Congrats!

Been plugging away on the 'Geasels' camo job, and I was going to post a pic here but when I loaded into the 'puter, it looked like.....well it looked awful! I will try to reshoot tomorrow. In the meantime, the "F" is going slow as I am filling seams along the spine, re-etching those round ports on the top, panel lines and even re-establishing those lost rivets with a tiny drill bit!

Some parts of a build seem to be soooo tedious and boring and this is one of them!

In the meantime. Sprue Brothers had notified me that they have shipped my RF-4E, but I do not plan to submit it for the group build. It would be interesting, though, to one day line up all the completed Hasegawa kits in a row. I will have F-4S, F-4G, F-4E, F-4F and my soon to arrive RF-4E. Wnder if I can locate some others......

Phabulous looking Phantom George.  I see only one mistake but that is because of the kit design and not something you did wrong.  I have seen some on line built up kits and some entered in IPMS shows that wasn't as good as yours.  Excellent build.  

Ken, your cockpit is looking great.  Can't wait to see more progress.

The white is cured on the flat surfaces and still un cured in recessed areas.  I am going to give it a few more days to see if it will harden up before I strip them.  I picked up a 12 oz can of white for 79 cents at Hobby Lobby yesterday.  The bad news is they still haven't received the gray I need for the cockpit.  I am making a flight to P-cola tomorrow so I'll make it to one of the local hobby shops and get the gray.  Wish me luck. 

George, you did the Warlords proud there, that is one great looking Phantom model

Berney, P-Cola?,,,,,,now I'm jealous, it's been over a year since I was at Bobe's Hobby last, lol

Hope you get that paint drying issue settled, maybe it will be dry when you get home

Rex

Don't forget all the non-US variants like the FG.1 and FGR.2.  I always see Hasegawa kits on eBay relatively cheap. lol

I wish my hands were steady enough for hand riveting.  Luckily the FGR.2 isn't that bad.  I'll have to wait to see how the F-4J thaat's coming is on detail.

jimbot58

Looks great El Tiano! Congrats!

Been plugging away on the 'Geasels' camo job, and I was going to post a pic here but when I loaded into the 'puter, it looked like.....well it looked awful! I will try to reshoot tomorrow. In the meantime, the "F" is going slow as I am filling seams along the spine, re-etching those round ports on the top, panel lines and even re-establishing those lost rivets with a tiny drill bit!

Some parts of a build seem to be soooo tedious and boring and this is one of them!

In the meantime. Sprue Brothers had notified me that they have shipped my RF-4E, but I do not plan to submit it for the group build. It would be interesting, though, to one day line up all the completed Hasegawa kits in a row. I will have F-4S, F-4G, F-4E, F-4F and my soon to arrive RF-4E. Wnder if I can locate some others......

I screwed up building showtime 100,got down to decals and realized there were no formation lights!

Im all dressed up and no where to fly!!  IS, WAS there any "J's' with lights? I dont want hack into this plane. 

Thanks to all of those who have posted nice comments about my build. They are really encouraging and I look forward to joining another GB in the near future. My build is over, but I'm sticking around to see all your work in progress, frustrations and solutions which are all part of this wonderful hobby. If I'm of any help, feel free to let me know.

Warmest Regards,

George Collazo

Rascal, are you saying that you have formation "slime" lights molded into the plastic, and now you found out you don't have decals for them?

If that is it,,,,,,,the only J's that had the slime lights were the F-4J(UK)'s,,,,,,,and you won't get to there with a GG over W paint job

if you can get decals for them in your scale,,,,VMFA-112 Cowboys, at least,,,,had Gull Gray over White F-4S's,,,,,all you'd have to change are your wingtips to add slats

I think that is the snag you've hit?

Rex

El Taino

Thanks to all of those who have posted nice comments about my build. They are really encouraging and I look forward to joining another GB in the near future. My build is over, but I'm sticking around to see all your work in progress, frustrations and solutions which are all part of this wonderful hobby. If I'm of any help, feel free to let me know.

Warmest Regards,

George Collazo

Hey George, you deserve the praise!

I like the way the paint and decal blue came out, that's a great match. I also like the detail of the panel lines, ordnance, and wells, -your build would look great parked on a mirror tarmac!

Dominic

Hey Tarnship:

Does this bring back any memories? Check out the cover! :::

http://books.google.ca/books?id=EiEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA191&lpg=PA191&dq=j-79+after+burners&source=bl&ots=ujusx0bvhm&sig=fAsn9can2r8aBdZ1aT9hGMX-QyA&hl=en&ei=5QdkTauRIML98AbQ3d2kDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false

This might be easier:

[View:http://books.google.ca/books?id=EiEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA191&lpg=PA191&dq=j-79+after+burners&source=bl&ots=ujusx0bvhm&sig=fAsn9can2r8aBdZ1aT9hGMX-QyA&hl=en&ei=5QdkTauRIML98AbQ3d2kDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false:550:0]

Hi Tarn Ship

 Ive got the Hasagawa Showtime 100 that was put out in the 80's. Its got molded "in" slime Lts. Stupid Me didnt know they have to be removed to do this "subject".Man Ive come a long way with this kit with all kinds of resin stuff and being really happy with the paint work.Then two things,One the decals feel apart! I had back up Monogram one but their just too much vinl like and wont conform,Then I realize Ive got to remove these lights.

So now Im opting to do ANY F-4J that came with the lights but now it becoming aparent Ill have to get them off the kit. I should looked better at the intructions!They show a drawing of them being removed but Goddamit I cant read Japan! So if you can help does any one put out a aftermarket Showtime 100 decal set? Its a shame cause I got this kit really lookin dead on except for this mess up!

Bockscar, that pic and others like it are what got me to join, lol,,,,,,,by the time 1975 rolled around, I was "hooked and 18",,,,,the Corps was almost one of those "on autopilot" decisions, haha

I built that jet with that loadout, too

as for Showtime 100, I only know about 1/72 parts and stuff, so I am sure you will get some help from one of the 1/48 fans, they would know

that magazine is cool, make a nice addition to a book collection

Rex

Well, on my night instrument flight to P-cola today, I stopped by Bobe's Hobby and managed to get two bottles of FS36231.  I am all set to go now.  The white is all set up, hard, and cured. 

I didn't get much done yesterday.  My son came over and took me out for a birthday lunch and last night the whole family met over at Outbacks for my birthday dinner.  Nice being able to eat without someone passing you the bill to pay.  I went to bed early as I had to get up at Oh Dark Thirty to be at the airport for a pre dawn take off.  All of my requirements are now good until next quarter.

berny13

Well, on my night instrument flight to P-cola today, I stopped by Bobe's Hobby and managed to get two bottles of FS36231.  I am all set to go now.  The white is all set up, hard, and cured. 

I didn't get much done yesterday.  My son came over and took me out for a birthday lunch and last night the whole family met over at Outbacks for my birthday dinner.  Nice being able to eat without someone passing you the bill to pay.  I went to bed early as I had to get up at Oh Dark Thirty to be at the airport for a pre dawn take off.  All of my requirements are now good until next quarter.

Patience is an incredible thing. That paint dried just in time for your birthday...a coincidence? - I think not!

Yeah Berny, it's rough flying to Pensacola to buy model paint.

It's nice not having to pay the dinner tab, and it's almost as nice not having to dig undried paint out of tiny little corners.

Happy Birthday, Berny, and here's to many more.!!!

Dominic

Happy Birthday Berny!  It's nice to get to go out on your Birthday.  It snowed too bad to get out on mine a few weeks back.. lol..  I hope you had a good dinner.  I've only gone to Outback once.  It was OK but they really messed up our whole order.   Will have to give them a try again.  This time at a different store.  BTW, I don't have a chart, what color is FS36231?

I started my FGR.2 cockpit, and a replacement for my dead F model is on it's way.  I had to settle for the Revell J model.  I hope I can find some decent AM decals for it.  I think the kit just comes with plain old navy white and gray.  I am sure I will be picking your brain about something on it someday soon.  LOL

Out of Curiosity, what do you fly? Cessna, Beechcraft etc?

berny13

Well, on my night instrument flight to P-cola today, I stopped by Bobe's Hobby and managed to get two bottles of FS36231.  I am all set to go now.  The white is all set up, hard, and cured. 

I didn't get much done yesterday.  My son came over and took me out for a birthday lunch and last night the whole family met over at Outbacks for my birthday dinner.  Nice being able to eat without someone passing you the bill to pay.  I went to bed early as I had to get up at Oh Dark Thirty to be at the airport for a pre dawn take off.  All of my requirements are now good until next quarter.

Happy Birthday Berny!! 

happy birthday Berny, glad your white dried for you while you were gone

Rich, 36231 is the US cockpit gray, Flat Dark Gull Gray, used on all or most Phantoms no matter what country,,,,,,you can use it for RAL 7046 or BS 637 also, if you need those shades

hth

Rex

Greetings everyone!

Here are some photos showing what I have done so far;

I am real happy how the gloss black gives the "glass look" in this shot.  I need to fix the rest of the paint though.  I think I will try using a brush dipped in thinner to try leveling the paint.  Anyone have any thoughts on that?

The second piece from the left also has some gloss black giving that "glass look".  I am very happy with this one too!

A little more paint on the first ejection seat:

Left side of the same seat:

The second ejection seat:

And the left side of the same seat:

I have ordered more paint colors which should arrive tomorrow.  Slowly but surely I am getting it done.

Hey Berny, glad to hear that your white paint finally dried!  I sure would like to see some pictures of it!  And thank you for the compliments, I really appreciate it!

Ken

I would use super fine grit sandpaper.  Thinner has a bad habit of melting some plastic.  I lost a few kits that way.  Just gently sand the overpainted areas down.  Sometimes you can even get a cool worn metal effect this way too.  The trick is to apply hardly any pressure at all, and sand fast.  It's much safer than thinner.

Son Of Medicine Man

Greetings everyone!

Here are some photos showing what I have done so far;

I am real happy how the gloss black gives the "glass look" in this shot.  I need to fix the rest of the paint though.  I think I will try using a brush dipped in thinner to try leveling the paint.  Anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

The second piece from the left also has some gloss black giving that "glass look".  I am very happy with this one too!