The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

Wish I had ordered the nuke Bullpups....

Here is how the two pods will look.  The top picture is of the AN/ALQ-87 ECM pods and the second is the AN/ALQ101 ECM pod.

Thanks Berny.  I got Hasegawa Weapons kit B for the ALQ-101 pods it had.  I think we almost have everything ready to start building.  We can worry about the ordinance and ECM pods when they get here. I pilfered the missiles out of a couple of my other kits.  so we should have everything there.  I think you are going to like this one.  One other question.  Where did you find the shark mouth on the kit you built?  I can't find one that's a match for it and I was wondering which kit it came with or did you get it with some AM decals?

Rich

berny13

Here is how the two pods will look.  The top picture is of the AN/ALQ-87 ECM pods and the second is the AN/ALQ101 ECM pod.

 

Sparrowhyperion

Thanks Berny.  I got Hasegawa Weapons kit B for the ALQ-101 pods it had.  I think we almost have everything ready to start building.  We can worry about the ordinance and ECM pods when they get here. I pilfered the missiles out of a couple of my other kits.  so we should have everything there.  I think you are going to like this one.  One other question.  Where did you find the shark mouth on the kit you built?  I can't find one that's a match for it and I was wondering which kit it came with or did you get it with some AM decals?

Rich

 

berny13:

Here is how the two pods will look.  The top picture is of the AN/ALQ-87 ECM pods and the second is the AN/ALQ101 ECM pod.

 

 

The shark mouth came from AM decals.  I built the kit over fifteen years ago so I couldn't tell you which decals they were.  Are you sure the Hasagawa Weapons kit B has the ALQ-101 pod?  The ones I have seen have the ALQ-87, ALQ-119 and ALQ-131 ECM pods.  The only source I know of for the ALQ-101 pod is in the Monogram F-4C/D kit in 1/48 scale.  Fujimi had a lump of plastic in their F-4 kit which was quoted by several sources as being a 101 pod but it did not look anything like any ECM pod I have ever seen. 

I stand corrected.  You were right, it has 2 ALQ87s.

Here is whats in the kit.

contains AGM-12B x 4, AGM-12C x 2, AGM-62A x 2, GBU-8 x 4, GBU-10 x 2, GBU-12 x 4, AIM-54 x 4, LAU-3 x 6, LAU-10 x 4, Pave Spike Pod x 2, ALG-131 x 2, ALQ-119 x 2, ALQ-87 x 2, PAVE Knike Pod x 2, AERO 5A-1 Launcher x 4, 2x Sparrow adaptor for F-4, Ter x2 and all the decals

Hmmm..  I just realized I have that F4 C/D kit, but I didn't see any ECM pods in it. I'll check again.

berny13

 

Sparrowhyperion:

 

Thanks Berny.  I got Hasegawa Weapons kit B for the ALQ-101 pods it had.  I think we almost have everything ready to start building.  We can worry about the ordinance and ECM pods when they get here. I pilfered the missiles out of a couple of my other kits.  so we should have everything there.  I think you are going to like this one.  One other question.  Where did you find the shark mouth on the kit you built?  I can't find one that's a match for it and I was wondering which kit it came with or did you get it with some AM decals?

Rich

 

 

berny13:

Here is how the two pods will look.  The top picture is of the AN/ALQ-87 ECM pods and the second is the AN/ALQ101 ECM pod.

 

 

 

 

 

The shark mouth came from AM decals.  I built the kit over fifteen years ago so I couldn't tell you which decals they were.  Are you sure the Hasagawa Weapons kit B has the ALQ-101 pod?  The ones I have seen have the ALQ-87, ALQ-119 and ALQ-131 ECM pods.  The only source I know of for the ALQ-101 pod is in the Monogram F-4C/D kit in 1/48 scale.  Fujimi had a lump of plastic in their F-4 kit which was quoted by several sources as being a 101 pod but it did not look anything like any ECM pod I have ever seen. 

Bockscar

 

jimbot58:

 

It seems that model building is a lesson in problem solving: Before I got too carried away with painting the bottom of the 'Geasel', I needed to think about the ALQ-119 pod to be mounted in the LH forward Sparrow bay. Naturally, the Hasegawa kit doesn't provide any underwing stores, so I had to get one of their add-on weapons kits to obtain one. (Same with the required AGM missiles) The other problem was the pylon for the pod! They don't provide that either! I knew I would likely have to scratch one, but I didn't know what it looked like.

I came up with an alternative: The Italeri kit in my stash has a "G" option and provides both the pod and the pylon! The part in question is already mounted to its pylon, but like the rest of the kit, details are 'soft', poorly done, with ejector pin marks deeply embedded in the side. The pylon would be usable though.

Cutting off the locater pins from the bottom, I cemented the whole piece into the bay, using the other kit part as a guide:

 

The Hasegawa part that will be used is held there by a bit of tape for comparison.

Once set, I cut away the crappy Italeri pod, leaving the two tiny rods that where the new one will mount (hard to see with my stupid camera, I know!). How I will mount it securely will be a problem for another day, but maybe some brass wires drilled in may be the answer:

Hopefully, it will someday look somewhat like this:

As always, sorry for the quality of my pictures, I wish I had a better camera.....

Also I would mention that after examination of the Italeri kit with its raised panel lines, poor fit, lots of ejector pin marks in all the wrong places, and lack of decent detail issues, I decided this kit is fair game for savaging parts, including the decals that will go to the Hasegawa 'Geasel'! No intentions to ever build it.

 

 

Rich, I found Jim's post, not really sure what those are either, but it may help. That's back on Page 62.

Rich, Bockscar: Sources I have found generally call for the AN/ALQ-119 pod to be carried by the "G". I understand there were others used as well, bu it is what I went with.

I ended up scratching a pylon to carry it as the Italeri part I intended to use was about a billion miles from even being close to correct. I have a Fujimi F-4 that had the pod and mount and used them as a guide to build one, using stock pieces of styrene and then used sway braces from an old Hasegawa F-15 kit that got scrapped. I had to narrow those down by slicing a piece from the middle and cementing them back together. If you can be a bit patient, I will see if I can get a decent photo of it.  I just got home from a 14 hour work and then go take care of Mom day and don't feel a lot like hobby work at the moment. I might have to use what's left of my day to do that one thing..... What is it called again? Oh, yeah! Sleep!

Jim

Jim.  I'm doing an E version,  A very specific plane.  Berny listed the weapons and stores as only using an ALG87 or ALQ101.  I found a bunch of images on the net of the 101 which looks very close to the one you are using.  I looked in my Monogram/Revell F4-C/D kit but there were not any ECM pods in it.  I did order the Hasegawa B weapons kit that has a couple of 87s though.  I suppose they will be just as good as using the 101s.  The only issue I am having now is that there is a minute difference in the wing pylons for the AIM9s and AIM7s I will be using and the ones Made by Hasegawa.  So there will be some minor surgery involved.  It shouldn't be very major though.

Rich

just a couple of "steerage inputs",,,,,,the ALQ-101s that you are seeing that look like -119s are late mod updates to the -101 pods,,,,,the kind you are after are the round ones without that gondola hanging from the bottom, like Berny's drawing

you probably have a ton of "nuke bullpups" in your stores box,,,the AGM-12D looked just like the AGM-12B that is included in Skyhawk and F-100 kits,,,,,,,the stripes are different, but the bodies look almost the same,,,,,,,,those huge AGM-12C Bullpups with the large wings, are not the nukes, they are just a larger conventional explosives version ,,,,,,,,,granted, they look like "they should be the nuclear ones", but, they're just HE

hth

Rex

Thanks for the info.  I did find one of the ALQ101s in my testors kit, but it's nasty.  We ought to write up a list of AM stuff that we always need and can never find and get about a billion people to email the list to all of the larger AM manufacturers. LOL  Like a set of METAL hinges for the darn 1/32 Revell F4U Corsair...

Rich

TarnShip

just a couple of "steerage inputs",,,,,,the ALQ-101s that you are seeing that look like -119s are late mod updates to the -101 pods,,,,,the kind you are after are the round ones without that gondola hanging from the bottom, like Berny's drawing

you probably have a ton of "nuke bullpups" in your stores box,,,the AGM-12D looked just like the AGM-12B that is included in Skyhawk and F-100 kits,,,,,,,the stripes are different, but the bodies look almost the same,,,,,,,,those huge AGM-12C Bullpups with the large wings, are not the nukes, they are just a larger conventional explosives version ,,,,,,,,,granted, they look like "they should be the nuclear ones", but, they're just HE

hth

Rex

 

I know this is a long shot, but does anybody happen to have any 1/48 Monogram Phantom II extra canopies around?  Parts 80 - 84.  I just got a kit from E-bay, and its missing the canopies.  I've looked for A/M vacu-form canopies and have had no luck yet.  Any ideas, anybody?

Thanks,

John

John, I'm pretty sure I have some laying around.  I've got a junkyard of sorts for that kit.

I'll send you a message when I'll find something.

Ish

Ish47guy

John, I'm pretty sure I have some laying around.  I've got a junkyard of sorts for that kit.

I'll send you a message when I'll find something.

Ish

Ish,

Thanks!  I'll be looking forward to your message.  Thanks again!

John

TarnShip

just a couple of "steerage inputs",,,,,,the ALQ-101s that you are seeing that look like -119s are late mod updates to the -101 pods,,,,,the kind you are after are the round ones without that gondola hanging from the bottom, like Berny's drawing

you probably have a ton of "nuke bullpups" in your stores box,,,the AGM-12D looked just like the AGM-12B that is included in Skyhawk and F-100 kits,,,,,,,the stripes are different, but the bodies look almost the same,,,,,,,,those huge AGM-12C Bullpups with the large wings, are not the nukes, they are just a larger conventional explosives version ,,,,,,,,,granted, they look like "they should be the nuclear ones", but, they're just HE

hth

Rex

Yeah it just goes to show you, how small stuff became, I remember seeing the little Davey Crocket battle field nuke, man, now that's what i cal a firecracker!

Okay, I like blowing stuff up,.....but only the bad guys......

Sparrowhyperion

Jim.  I'm doing an E version,  A very specific plane.  Berny listed the weapons and stores as only using an ALG87 or ALQ101.  I found a bunch of images on the net of the 101 which looks very close to the one you are using.  I looked in my Monogram/Revell F4-C/D kit but there were not any ECM pods in it.  I did order the Hasegawa B weapons kit that has a couple of 87s though.  I suppose they will be just as good as using the 101s.  The only issue I am having now is that there is a minute difference in the wing pylons for the AIM9s and AIM7s I will be using and the ones Made by Hasegawa.  So there will be some minor surgery involved.  It shouldn't be very major though.

Rich

My bad! I was days behind on reading posts and sort of skimmed through them. I just saw the reference to my post and assumed you were working on a "G". I can use the info, though as there is an "E" in my stash that needs to be done someday!

Jim

jimbot58

 

Sparrowhyperion:

 

Jim.  I'm doing an E version,  A very specific plane.  Berny listed the weapons and stores as only using an ALG87 or ALQ101.  I found a bunch of images on the net of the 101 which looks very close to the one you are using.  I looked in my Monogram/Revell F4-C/D kit but there were not any ECM pods in it.  I did order the Hasegawa B weapons kit that has a couple of 87s though.  I suppose they will be just as good as using the 101s.  The only issue I am having now is that there is a minute difference in the wing pylons for the AIM9s and AIM7s I will be using and the ones Made by Hasegawa.  So there will be some minor surgery involved.  It shouldn't be very major though.

Rich

 

 

My bad! I was days behind on reading posts and sort of skimmed through them. I just saw the reference to my post and assumed you were working on a "G". I can use the info, though as there is an "E" in my stash that needs to be done someday!

Jim

No Jim that was me, not you,

I just posted your stuff to help reference, you didn't understand the context there.....

Naaahhh, no worrrriies man, you helped out, sorry to ambush you there, that was my SNAFU, .....

Only complaint....can't you get a bit more organized pal......lol......

LOL... Organized???   LMAO.... US????   You really weren't paying attention to those pics I posted a while back of my work area...  It's so bad, I am commandeering the kitchen area to build the E in... lol

Rich

Sparrowhyperion

LOL... Organized???   LMAO.... US????   You really weren't paying attention to those pics I posted a while back of my work area...  It's so bad, I am commandeering the kitchen area to build the E in... lol

 

Rich

Gosh......Jim didn't have those customer ticket 'next' dispensers, and no ISO numbers prominently displayed, Hey Jim, what's up with that?....lol.....     

"Organized"? If you fellers are gonna start throwin around them fancy words I don't know the meanin' of, I'm gonna leave!

Gosh Jim, uhhhh.......it's just that,,,,, we mean, uhhh, for a messy guy, uhhh, you kinda make some neat looking rows, yeah, that's it, neat looking rows......don't go way all madn' like......

Well.  As of now, all of my other builds are on hold for this GB.  The last few things I needed to get started on good old 69-260 arrived and construction has officially started.  Today, we started by adding the ejection release loops to the Aires MK 7 seats and right now my lovely volunteer Wife with the very steady small hands is painting and adding the rest of the PE to them.  I was able to modify the fuselage and attach the Resin Intakes.  I discovered something rather odd.  As you may know, KMC went belly up and True Details got all of their molds, including the resin intakes.   Well with this particular Hasegawa F4 version (F4-EJ), the True details resin intakes wouldn't work.  They were just a bit too thin to get a good fit, so I tracked down a set of the original KMC moldings like the ones I used on my FGR2 and got them.  I was lucky and found the invoice from the vendor I got my first set from and he had 1 set left of the KMCs.  I have a lot of filling and sanding to go to get a smooth fit yet, but it is a good start.  Below are some images.

Here's the kit box for the kit I am using.

The Decal sheet I got and the PE cockpit set.

Now the Aires exhausts.

These are the intakes before installation.

Here are the Aires seats before installation and painting.  Note I have the ejection loops already attached.

Those images Berny posted of the Mk 7 seat is really useful.  Now here are a couple of shots of the installed intakes before the fit and finish work.

Thats all I have for now.  I will be posting more as she progresses.

A HUGE thank you to Bockscar for footing most of the bill for this one.  Thanks Dom.

I hope you like it so far Berny.  This ones for you Buddy. :)

Rich

P.S.  Which set of shark mouths on the decal sheet do you like better Berny?  I was going to use the larger one and hand paint the black outline so it would look more like the one in your kit's image.

That's lookin' pretty good, Sparrow! I noticed the nice set of AM decals, but I have to say that the MiG21 silhouette is a neat scheme. The JASDF has a history of some uniquely marked Phantoms. That's probably a group build unto itself.

Glenn

Rich;

That's looking real good, a lot of progress in such a short time.

Mike,

Thanks for the kit review.  It's always cool to read stuff from back in the day.  I tried to look for a copyright date on the kit but I can't find it.  Has to be from the late 70's early 80's (can't believe I've been carrying it around that long, but I found evidence that I started one.  Don't know what I was thinking trying to putty over the Sparrow mounts.  It can be corrected.)  Building four should be easy, I'll do them assembly line style.

Tarnship,

Thanks for the info and the offer.  You wouldn't happen to have a set of instructions you scan would you?

Berny,

Hang in there, you've got another person in your corner.

Rich -- that's a tremendous start on what should be a remarkable project! I must say that as the host I have what amounts to a paternal pride in the work going on here, a helluva bunch of guys (and young lady in one case, plus a talented lady wife in another!) turning out quality projects with enthusiasm. I am very glad I launched the Rhino builds!

lewbud -- no problemo, I look forward to seeing that old classic come to life!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

I agree.  It's a cool scheme.  I have never seen an F4 with quite so many data decals though.  lol

Rich

mississippivol

That's lookin' pretty good, Sparrow! I noticed the nice set of AM decals, but I have to say that the MiG21 silhouette is a neat scheme. The JASDF has a history of some uniquely marked Phantoms. That's probably a group build unto itself.

Glenn

Deb is doing a great job on the seats.  It's taking longer than normal for the paint to completely dry because of the high humidity out here right now though.  She hopes to have them finished and ready to install tonight.  I will be going back to work soon on the cockpit tub and PE parts.  Then I will tackle the fit and finish work on the fuselage halves.

Rich

Bockscar

Rich;

That's looking real good, a lot of progress in such a short time.

Here's a couple more in progress pics.  I have the PE installed on the instrument panels.  I wish the set I got would have had panels for the side control panels.  Deb is letting the first coat of paint dry before touchup.  I had one casualty though.  I was letting Deb use my FGR.2 cockpit tub as an example to paint the seats.  It had somehow fallen on her chair, and when she sat down......  I think one of the trees that Hasegawa is replacing is the one that also has the cockpit parts on it.  If not, I'll have to order a new tree.    I tried to salvage the PE on it, but I glued it way too well... lol.  Oh well.  Anyways, on with the pics.

Here's the cockpit tub with the front and back office control boards installed before painting and completion of assembly.

Pardon the poor quality image.  My camera battery is getting low so I am recharging it now.

Here are the seats.

Not a bad morning's work I think.  The seats actually look a lot better than in the images.

Let me know what you think.

Rich

Man that's looking nice......

Thanks.  I'm pretty much waiting for the seats to be finished right now.  I have the gray on the cockpit floor and sides as well as the black on the panels.  I want to get the seats in before I do the detailing on the side control panels.   There are a few panels which are pretty identical to what's left of my FGR.2 panels, so if I can get the PE removed for those, without destroying them any further, I may add them on.  The PE detail set came with a lot of other stuff, but I am limited in what I can install.  I need to have my Wife Debbie help me with that tiny stuff.  I'll install what I can of it, but a lot of it is stuff that will never be seen once the fuselage is closed up anyways.

Bockscar

Man that's looking nice......