The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

Hi folks.

I have a quick question.  I am going to have to risk the ire of the Wifey and get my Daughter the decals for the 1/48 F4J Blue Angels, but I need some advice.  I am currently watching 2 sets.  The first set is made by YellowHammer and the other is a set of CAM PRO decals.  My question is simply this.

Can anyone give me a recommendation for either over the other?  I have not used either brand so I don't know which company makes a better, higher quality set.  They are about the same price so that's not an issue.  I appreciate any info you could give.

Rich

Hi Rich -- both are superb quality and meticulously researched. The Yellowhammer sheet was designed specifically to work with the Hasegawa kit but was applicable to the Monogram -J with minor modification, around the nose gear area I think, though it's a very long time since I heard this. I would imagine similar mods would be called for on the Revell bird. CAM -- no idea about that sheet but I trust their quality from what I've seen so far.

Cheers, M/TB379

Thanks for the info.  I have another question.  I have seen a lot of Blue Angel models built in my life and no two seem to be of the exact same color.  Do you or anyone reading this know which exact color the F4J Blue Angel is supposed to be?

Thanks

Rich

Thunderbolt379

Hi Rich -- both are superb quality and meticulously researched. The Yellowhammer sheet was designed specifically to work with the Hasegawa kit but was applicable to the Monogram -J with minor modification, around the nose gear area I think, though it's a very long time since I heard this. I would imagine similar mods would be called for on the Revell bird. CAM -- no idea about that sheet but I trust their quality from what I've seen so far.

Cheers, M/TB379

Rich, I have two answers for your BA Blue question

First, the easy one,,,,,,it's 15050, available from Model Master as 1772, LifeColor LC034, Gunze H-328, Model Master Acrylic 4687, with Humbrol 190 and Xtracolor 123 given as matches on various sites

15050 is just a little lighter than Gloss Sea Blue and Insignia Blue,,,,,,,and the yellow trim color is Pre WW 2 Lemon Yellow, not the later Chrome Yellow,,,,,,Lemon/BA Yellow is MM Acrylic 4684, MM enamel 2023, Floquil Acrylic Rail Road 414215 CSX Yellow, with Humbrol 69 and Xtracolor 108, WEM also has it listed, but I forget the number

if you have some Gloss Sea Blue aircraft on your shelves, you want the BA to be "just a bit different" so that it stands out from all the "regular blue" models there

the other answer is that Major Elliot in his USN markings series typed up 3 paragraphs about that Blue in his Blue Angels appendix in Vol 4, and then discribed 6 color chips taken from over the years on BA aircraft,,,,,,and they ended up being Munsell matched to 6 different final colors of Blue,,,and then he goes on to describe the non FS paints currently used on the Hornets

I'm going to just go with that MM color, lol, on my BA F11F Tiger, and "cheated" and used Testors square bottle blue on my #7 TA-4J Skyhawk

I know, I know,,,,,,"so much info that the decision is harder now",,,,,,,but, I'm sure she'll be happy with the BA Blue out of one of those listed above

Thanks for the info!  I had ordered a can of Model Masters 1972 Blue Angel Blue but then wasn't sure if it's a match.  Now I know which ones to pick up.

Rich

TarnShip

Rich, I have two answers for your BA Blue question

First, the easy one,,,,,,it's 15050, available from Model Master as 1772, LifeColor LC034, Gunze H-328, Model Master Acrylic 4687, with Humbrol 190 and Xtracolor 123 given as matches on various sites

15050 is just a little lighter than Gloss Sea Blue and Insignia Blue,,,,,,,and the yellow trim color is Pre WW 2 Lemon Yellow, not the later Chrome Yellow,,,,,,Lemon/BA Yellow is MM Acrylic 4684, MM enamel 2023, Floquil Acrylic Rail Road 414215 CSX Yellow, with Humbrol 69 and Xtracolor 108, WEM also has it listed, but I forget the number

if you have some Gloss Sea Blue aircraft on your shelves, you want the BA to be "just a bit different" so that it stands out from all the "regular blue" models there

the other answer is that Major Elliot in his USN markings series typed up 3 paragraphs about that Blue in his Blue Angels appendix in Vol 4, and then discribed 6 color chips taken from over the years on BA aircraft,,,,,,and they ended up being Munsell matched to 6 different final colors of Blue,,,and then he goes on to describe the non FS paints currently used on the Hornets

I'm going to just go with that MM color, lol, on my BA F11F Tiger, and "cheated" and used Testors square bottle blue on my #7 TA-4J Skyhawk

I know, I know,,,,,,"so much info that the decision is harder now",,,,,,,but, I'm sure she'll be happy with the BA Blue out of one of those listed above

Rich, another can o worms for BA Phantoms,,,,,the engines,,,,,,,,when you get the decals, Google the BuNo,,,,,,,just for grins, now, lol

the early jets had F-4B engines, and the jets that came later in life as attrition replacements were "real F-4J" with the F-4J engines

not important if she just wants to build a Phantom and do it up as a BA,,,,,,but, if you have a choice of BuNo on the sheet, it might be good to match up the number with an F-4J for simplicity sake

just a thought,,,,,I'd hate to be the one to create another rivet counter, I'd feel soooo bad, you know?

Rex

Thanks for the further info.  I don't think I will tell her or she is going to want resin AM cans... lol  I am having a heck of a time finding a set of the Yellowhammer decals.  Being OOP and all.  I missed out on one of the sets I had on watched and the only other is in Australia.  I am probably going to have to settle for the CAM PRO sheets even though they are for the Hasegawa kit.  You guys should see her sucking up for these decals..  Hilarious...

Rich

TarnShip

Rich, another can o worms for BA Phantoms,,,,,the engines,,,,,,,,when you get the decals, Google the BuNo,,,,,,,just for grins, now, lol

the early jets had F-4B engines, and the jets that came later in life as attrition replacements were "real F-4J" with the F-4J engines

not important if she just wants to build a Phantom and do it up as a BA,,,,,,but, if you have a choice of BuNo on the sheet, it might be good to match up the number with an F-4J for simplicity sake

just a thought,,,,,I'd hate to be the one to create another rivet counter, I'd feel soooo bad, you know?

Rex

lol, Rich,,,,,,,,,,,I have noooooo idea what you are talking about

"You guys should see her sucking up for these decals..  Hilarious..."

she couldn't be as bad as I was at the Nats with Anne, when we got to a certain resin company booth, next to a decal company booth,,,,,that must have looked badddddd, lol,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm sure l looked like a 5 year old begging for mom to let me have a puppy (the mental image of a white bearded man begging is free of charge, y'all)

can't wait to see her build up

Rex

LOL..  She is really stoked up for this one.  It should be interesting..  I am going to go do some more work on my FGR2 now, and maybe do a little on the Revell kit.

TarnShip

lol, Rich,,,,,,,,,,,I have noooooo idea what you are talking about

"You guys should see her sucking up for these decals..  Hilarious..."

she couldn't be as bad as I was at the Nats with Anne, when we got to a certain resin company booth, next to a decal company booth,,,,,that must have looked badddddd, lol,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm sure l looked like a 5 year old begging for mom to let me have a puppy (the mental image of a white bearded man begging is free of charge, y'all)

can't wait to see her build up

Rex

mississippivol

Taps, try this website. It is the 131 TFW's website that has a lot of Phantom pics. I see the 30th anniversary Rhino in a couple of them.

Glenn

http://s841.photobucket.com/albums/zz333/131stfighterwingdotcom/The%20F-4%20Years/

Glenn & everyone,

Thanks for the help...I found the pics I need from the site you listed, Glenn.

I can't figure out how I didn't come across it.

Well.  I got the CAM PRO F4J 1/48 Blue Angels Decals for Marissa,  Now her dual kit shipped today via priority mail so she should have it before the end of the week.  I decided that since this is one of her first ever kits, I wanted her to get in a practice kit before the other one with the expensive decals shows up.. lol    I have 2 Revell kits already, an F4C Wild Weasel and an F4J Mig Ace.  I am going to let her do the Mig Ace kit in tandem with me as I do the F4C kit.  This way she gets a bit of experience on the same basic kit.  So without further ado'.  Here are some images of the kits and the Daughter in question.

Marissa with her first Phantom kit.

A few images of the two kits we will do together

My C kit

Here are a couple of images of the partially completed cockpits.  First Marissa's, which is not that bad, especially for her first effort with detail painting.  She still needs to paint the instruments but you will get the idea.

Now Mine.  I haven't done much of the painting yet.

Not bad for a start.

Oh here is an image of my FGR2 with the fuselage closed up and the cockpit installed.

Still some touching up to do.  Ohg and This isn't a Phantom but Marissa wanted me to show you her first ever solo kit.  her F89C Scorpion in 1/72 scale.  lol (Still needs paint)

That's about it for tonight.  I'll post more when we have some more progress.

Rich and Marissa

My pleasure, Taps! Hey ya'll, I got to looking around on their site, and if you're bored, the Rhino pages are fantastic! Here's an example:

Hi Marissa! Welcome to the group build, it's great to see your first steps into this wonderful hobby! I'll add your Monogram -J test kit to the lineup. Those old Monograms are venerable kits which can be built very well and were proudly displayed by a generation of hobbyists, so with your dad's help I think you'll have a great time building and painting this bird!

Cheers, Mike/Thunderbolt379

Rich and Marissa:

I'm not sure which one of you is luckier!

Marissa that's a great start to the cockpit. It's the most persnickity part of the aircraft, until you start building detailed wheel bays, engines, or painting your dad's portrait on one of the pilots!

Hey I really like the scorpion as well, looking good! (Silver styrene is still my all time favourite.)

Rich, nice job with the intakes, thanks for the shots. Looking forward to the next steps, it's great to see the progress.

Keep up the great work Marissa!

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

Sprue Brothers contacted me and they are sending me another cockpit along with a pre-paid return label for the defective cockpit.  Awesome service!  Can't say enough good things about them!

Ken

Hey Ken, that's good to hear. I tried to order the Aires Phantom burners, ARS2074, and they were out of stock, but I clicked the send notice button. A week or so later, they emailed with availability and the 'Purchase Now' button, which I dutifully clicked, and the set automatically went into my 'Shopping Cart'.

After waiting what, three weeks, I find they've sent the ARS2094, F8 Crusader exhaust set instead. Hmmmmmm.....I wonder if it is Godot, playing with my mind....funny thing is that 2094 is the very next listed set, but has a different price. I was charged the right price.....no I wasn't drinking wobbly pop.....

I don't think I want to send the F8 set back, uh, greed has set in.......F8 is my second favourite aircraft....

Have any of you ever done something so mind bogglingly stupid that you think you are in need of serious medication?  Well I did.  I was about to do some work on my FGR2, then I realized something...  I had FORGOTTEN to install the nose landing gear bay before I closed up the fuselage.....  So I had to do some fine surgery with a razor saw to put it in.  Then to add to the idiocy..  Those very fine PE ejection loops on the Aires seats had suddenly disappeared..  I know the CA glue I used is good because it worked for everything else.  But somehow it let go of the PE loops...  Now I have a quandry..  I obviously can't do anything else until I decide what to do about the loops.  I DO still have the original plastic loops that came with the kit.  I am thinking I may be able to cut them off of the top chute pack and CA them on to replace the PE stuff..  I did send an email to Aires, asking if it's possible to get replacements, but from Eastern Europe to Ohio is a long trek.  It would mean leaving the kit idle for a few weeks.  I suppose that would give me a chance to finish up the monogram kits with Marissa...  What are your opinions..?  Wait for the PE IF it can be replaced, or go with the plastic..?

Rich

Once or twice, Rich, once or twice... Though not quite so dire! What a frustration! Okay, my recommendation would be:

• See what Aires say and decide if the PE is worth waiting for, IF they can help.
• Separate off the plastic loops and test fit them, you might find they're good enough to be worth going with anyway, and avoiding the cost of the PE, should it be available.
• Work on the Monograms in the meantime, it's all practice and progress!

Cheers Mike/TB379

Sounds like a plan to me.  I really need a vacation.  I haven't had one since 1986...  And I haven't been out of this mobile home, other than for medical appointments for about 4years now...   I expect my brain to leak out of my ear while I am asleep any night now....

Tomorrow my Wife goes out house hunting again, so I may do a quicky one day build of something just for a change of pace.  I still have to work on my P38 kits for that build, the last Monogram Mafia build kit is waiting on paint, and I have to start the Secret Santa/Way too many props build kit which is a 1/32 BF110.  I also need to start doing some more on my Wild Wings build F102.  I am still playing around on my PC trying out different designs for the custom decals I am going to make.   I's going to be really out there.  And if I have time, I may also do my Academy MIG 29 for that build.  I will just be glad when we finally find a decent place and I actually have a workshop room that works.

We did get some progress done tonight on the Monogram F4J and F4C kits.  Both have their fuselages buttoned up and the wings are assembled and drying.  Tomorrow is a day for lots of detail painting.  Oh and I had to do a minor repair to one of Marissa's kits.  She broke the nose probe off of her 1/72 SR-71 and she asked me to fix it.  The weekend looks like it's going to busy...

Rich

Thunderbolt379

Once or twice, Rich, once or twice... Though not quite so dire! What a frustration! Okay, my recommendation would be:

• See what Aires say and decide if the PE is worth waiting for, IF they can help.
• Separate off the plastic loops and test fit them, you might find they're good enough to be worth going with anyway, and avoiding the cost of the PE, should it be available.
• Work on the Monograms in the meantime, it's all practice and progress!

Cheers Mike/TB379

Bockscar

Son Of Medicine Man:

Hi Everyone,

Sprue Brothers contacted me and they are sending me another cockpit along with a pre-paid return label for the defective cockpit.  Awesome service!  Can't say enough good things about them!

Ken

 

Hey Ken, that's good to hear. I tried to order the Aires Phantom burners, ARS2074, and they were out of stock, but I clicked the send notice button. A week or so later, they emailed with availability and the 'Purchase Now' button, which I dutifully clicked, and the set automatically went into my 'Shopping Cart'.

After waiting what, three weeks, I find they've sent the ARS2094, F8 Crusader exhaust set instead. Hmmmmmm.....I wonder if it is Godot, playing with my mind....funny thing is that 2094 is the very next listed set, but has a different price. I was charged the right price.....no I wasn't drinking wobbly pop.....

I don't think I want to send the F8 set back, uh, greed has set in.......F8 is my second favourite aircraft....

Hi Dominic!

Almost sounds like opening a box of Cracker Jack!  You know there is a prize inside, but just don't know what!    At least it was something you liked.

The cockpit replacement showed up today but instead of sending the entire kit, they took out the cockpit tub and the part containing the control sticks and sent that.  I am just guessing, but whom ever did that did not realize just how delicate the cockpit was (with all of the intricate details i.e. the joystick in the rear cockpit).  The joystick is broken and missing, but the spot where the gash was on the previous cockpit is fine.  I really don't want to come off as a butt head about it.  I have already sent another email to Sprue Brothers showing them what was sent.  I will wait and see what they say.  One thing I noticed is that they do not show another one in stock.  I may have to go ahead and try to fix the first cockpit if I want to get something actually moving on this build.

Ken

Hi Merissa,

Very nice job on your cockpit!  Congratulations on a job well done!   

Ken

Sparrowhyperion

Have any of you ever done something so mind bogglingly stupid that you think you are in need of serious medication?  Well I did.  I was about to do some work on my FGR2, then I realized something...  I had FORGOTTEN to install the nose landing gear bay before I closed up the fuselage.....  So I had to do some fine surgery with a razor saw to put it in.  Then to add to the idiocy..  Those very fine PE ejection loops on the Aires seats had suddenly disappeared..  I know the CA glue I used is good because it worked for everything else.  But somehow it let go of the PE loops...  Now I have a quandry..  I obviously can't do anything else until I decide what to do about the loops.  I DO still have the original plastic loops that came with the kit.  I am thinking I may be able to cut them off of the top chute pack and CA them on to replace the PE stuff..  I did send an email to Aires, asking if it's possible to get replacements, but from Eastern Europe to Ohio is a long trek.  It would mean leaving the kit idle for a few weeks.  I suppose that would give me a chance to finish up the monogram kits with Marissa...  What are your opinions..?  Wait for the PE IF it can be replaced, or go with the plastic..?

Rich

Hi Rich,

Sorry to hear about the front landing gear bay.  Believe me, I have done far dumber things than that!

On the note about the loops, what I am seriously thinking about doing is using copper wire to make the loops.  I am thinking if I start with the wire while it is straight and chuck it in a vise, I could use a turn table and make the "stripes" by turning the turn table while moving the paint brush to the top.  Of course you would need to have the wire painted in one of the colors first (yellow or black) and then use the other color to paint the stripe.  Kinda like using a lathe.  That way you would end up with a 3-D loop with a half way decent stripe.

Ken

So many posts since I last checked, too many to comment on them all! I will do one and that is to welcome Marissa to the hobby and the forum! It is great when a young person takes an interest in it, and when it is a young lady as well, it's doubly nice! Keep up the great work! Does that Scorpion actually have raised lines where the USAF and star goes on the upper wing? Seems I remember having a P-41 many years ago that was the same way!

Been hectic and busy lately, but still try to find time put in some work on the "Geasel"! The biggest part has to put all those data decals all over the bottom:

These came out of the Italeri kit with a few tossed in from a Microscale Phantom data set I picked up some years ago. (Actually, I have three sets! I think I paid a buck apiece for them out of a close-out bin at my LHS!) The original Hasegawa set set never included any data decals at all and I think that's why I bought them. The Italeri decals are a bit thick and take a bit of effort to make them behave. I have to over-spray with gloss before I Dull-coat to level of those thick edges a bit.

You can also see I rubbed a bare spot in the paint near the exhaust somehow, and I'll have to fix that shortly. I might add just a few more decals on the bottom before I clear coat it all and turn it over to tackle the topside! Not looking forward to that shark-mouth on the nose, but I gotta have it! I want to finish up the decals before I strip off that masking film and do the metallic areas on the tail. Less handling that way as I just plan to use Testors for that area!

Also have been painting wheels, gear, doors, pylons, weapons and applying some washes to the bays. So much to do and so little time to do it in! Plus, I need to get going on that 'F' Phantom very soon!

Haven't posted on this GB for a while. Been busy with other builds. I have made progress with the cockpit. Have done some scratching with references from Squadron's Walk Around book. Pilots have a way to go before paint, but will hopefully have the fuselage halves together in a week or two. Let me know what ya think.

That sounds good, but my vise is way too big for something like that.  I suppose I will eventually have to get a smaller one for detail parts but right now I can't.  Thanks for the suggestion though.

Rich

Son Of Medicine Man

 

 

 

Hi Rich,

Sorry to hear about the front landing gear bay.  Believe me, I have done far dumber things than that!

On the note about the loops, what I am seriously thinking about doing is using copper wire to make the loops.  I am thinking if I start with the wire while it is straight and chuck it in a vise, I could use a turn table and make the "stripes" by turning the turn table while moving the paint brush to the top.  Of course you would need to have the wire painted in one of the colors first (yellow or black) and then use the other color to paint the stripe.  Kinda like using a lathe.  That way you would end up with a 3-D loop with a half way decent stripe.

Ken

Yup, they are raised.  It is a very very old kit.   lol  But she had a ball building it.  Her F4 may come out better than mine. :)

jimbot58

So many posts since I last checked, too many to comment on them all! I will do one and that is to welcome Marissa to the hobby and the forum! It is great when a young person takes an interest in it, and when it is a young lady as well, it's doubly nice! Keep up the great work! Does that Scorpion actually have raised lines where the USAF and star goes on the upper wing? Seems I remember having a P-41 many years ago that was the same way!

 

How the heck did I miss this?  I wanted in on last year's, but was overwhelmed with work and other GB's.  I'm in on this year's build, just don't know what to build.  I have a Hasegawa RF-4B, Italeri RF-4C, and two Revell Germany RF-4E's as well as the ancient Revell Blue Angels Diamond.  Whatever it will be wil be 1/72.

Son Of Medicine Man

 

Bockscar:

 

 

Son Of Medicine Man:

Hi Everyone,

Sprue Brothers contacted me and they are sending me another cockpit along with a pre-paid return label for the defective cockpit.  Awesome service!  Can't say enough good things about them!

Ken

 

 

Hey Ken, that's good to hear. I tried to order the Aires Phantom burners, ARS2074, and they were out of stock, but I clicked the send notice button. A week or so later, they emailed with availability and the 'Purchase Now' button, which I dutifully clicked, and the set automatically went into my 'Shopping Cart'.

After waiting what, three weeks, I find they've sent the ARS2094, F8 Crusader exhaust set instead. Hmmmmmm.....I wonder if it is Godot, playing with my mind....funny thing is that 2094 is the very next listed set, but has a different price. I was charged the right price.....no I wasn't drinking wobbly pop.....

I don't think I want to send the F8 set back, uh, greed has set in.......F8 is my second favourite aircraft....

 

 

Hi Dominic!

Almost sounds like opening a box of Cracker Jack!  You know there is a prize inside, but just don't know what!    At least it was something you liked.

The cockpit replacement showed up today but instead of sending the entire kit, they took out the cockpit tub and the part containing the control sticks and sent that.  I am just guessing, but whom ever did that did not realize just how delicate the cockpit was (with all of the intricate details i.e. the joystick in the rear cockpit).  The joystick is broken and missing, but the spot where the gash was on the previous cockpit is fine.  I really don't want to come off as a butt head about it.  I have already sent another email to Sprue Brothers showing them what was sent.  I will wait and see what they say.  One thing I noticed is that they do not show another one in stock.  I may have to go ahead and try to fix the first cockpit if I want to get something actually moving on this build.

Ken

Holly Cow! It must be Spring! -I put my head in drawer last night, the resta' me can't find it! Even worse than losing your glasses!

You are right Ken, I suppose the easiest and non-buttthead thing to do is live with the unwanted purchase and save up for the one I wanted, I don't think it is a conspiracy, but then, i've always wondered whether or not i am paranoid enough!

You see, they still have the one I want in stock, but if I end up getting two F8 sets, then I'll know for sure the KGBIA is once again trying to ruin my hobby, I hate it when they do that!

Yeah, Godot is messing with you pal, and maybe with Rich.....

somenewguy

Haven't posted on this GB for a while. Been busy with other builds. I have made progress with the cockpit. Have done some scratching with references from Squadron's Walk Around book. Pilots have a way to go before paint, but will hopefully have the fuselage halves together in a week or two. Let me know what ya think.

 

Hey Sguy: 

Great looking pilots and tubs. Are those crew glued in already or are you going to finish then install?

jimbot58

So many posts since I last checked, too many to comment on them all! I will do one and that is to welcome Marissa to the hobby and the forum! It is great when a young person takes an interest in it, and when it is a young lady as well, it's doubly nice! Keep up the great work! Does that Scorpion actually have raised lines where the USAF and star goes on the upper wing? Seems I remember having a P-41 many years ago that was the same way!

Been hectic and busy lately, but still try to find time put in some work on the "Geasel"! The biggest part has to put all those data decals all over the bottom:

These came out of the Italeri kit with a few tossed in from a Microscale Phantom data set I picked up some years ago. (Actually, I have three sets! I think I paid a buck apiece for them out of a close-out bin at my LHS!) The original Hasegawa set set never included any data decals at all and I think that's why I bought them. The Italeri decals are a bit thick and take a bit of effort to make them behave. I have to over-spray with gloss before I Dull-coat to level of those thick edges a bit.

You can also see I rubbed a bare spot in the paint near the exhaust somehow, and I'll have to fix that shortly. I might add just a few more decals on the bottom before I clear coat it all and turn it over to tackle the topside! Not looking forward to that shark-mouth on the nose, but I gotta have it! I want to finish up the decals before I strip off that masking film and do the metallic areas on the tail. Less handling that way as I just plan to use Testors for that area!

Also have been painting wheels, gear, doors, pylons, weapons and applying some washes to the bays. So much to do and so little time to do it in! Plus, I need to get going on that 'F' Phantom very soon!

That's going well Jim! So far the panel lines are standing out quite well. What's that base coat you've applied?

Sparrowhyperion

Sounds like a plan to me.  I really need a vacation.  I haven't had one since 1986...  And I haven't been out of this mobile home, other than for medical appointments for about 4years now...   I expect my brain to leak out of my ear while I am asleep any night now....

Tomorrow my Wife goes out house hunting again, so I may do a quicky one day build of something just for a change of pace.  I still have to work on my P38 kits for that build, the last Monogram Mafia build kit is waiting on paint, and I have to start the Secret Santa/Way too many props build kit which is a 1/32 BF110.  I also need to start doing some more on my Wild Wings build F102.  I am still playing around on my PC trying out different designs for the custom decals I am going to make.   I's going to be really out there.  And if I have time, I may also do my Academy MIG 29 for that build.  I will just be glad when we finally find a decent place and I actually have a workshop room that works.

We did get some progress done tonight on the Monogram F4J and F4C kits.  Both have their fuselages buttoned up and the wings are assembled and drying.  Tomorrow is a day for lots of detail painting.  Oh and I had to do a minor repair to one of Marissa's kits.  She broke the nose probe off of her 1/72 SR-71 and she asked me to fix it.  The weekend looks like it's going to busy...

Rich

 

 

 

Thunderbolt379:

 

Once or twice, Rich, once or twice... Though not quite so dire! What a frustration! Okay, my recommendation would be:

• See what Aires say and decide if the PE is worth waiting for, IF they can help.
• Separate off the plastic loops and test fit them, you might find they're good enough to be worth going with anyway, and avoiding the cost of the PE, should it be available.
• Work on the Monograms in the meantime, it's all practice and progress!

Cheers Mike/TB379

 

 

Rich, 

All the best house hunting, you are more than forgiven for the pre-assembly error. Mike is right, and you can always scratch with stretched sprue, always my favourite. I once locked my wife out of the house -by accident- here's the trick, I got her to calm down before I let her in!