The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

couldn't find one from an F4 specifically, but this is the same Era and they were made to fit almost every aircraft. as you can see the shape and my current lack of detail on the cam could make it look like anything, and this conversation has strayed away from the whole purpose of this thread the Aircraft not the weapons.

That is a TARPS pod carried by the F-14 Tomcat.  I didn't know the RF-4 could carry one.  As for weapons, anyone loading ordinance on an F-4 would be very relevant to this group build.

http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/tarps.htm

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-tarps.htm

http://www.topedge.com/alley/text/other/f14tarps.htm

that last pic is of a TARPS pod,,,,,,only ever used on the F-14, except for some early testing of the concept on the the A-7 (and I think the A-7 Tarps test pod was a different shape)

and for me at least, it's about the weapons,,,,,,that's the whole reason for even building multiple Phantoms,,,,,,,,,so we can do the MW-1, the LGB's and the various PAVE pods, targets, flares, Igloo White, etc, and very long etc

on the subject of PAVE,,,,,there was an early one, the PAVE Sword, it's based on the SUU-11 case, with the laser in a gimble mounting in the front, but, lots of misinformation out there in print, it's labeled in one photo caption as "ALQ-119 Pave Sword",,,,,ackkkkk,,,,,,,lol,,,,,,,should be AVQ-11 PAVE Sword

but, don't mind me, I'm still plugging away at ideas for making SUU-7's , currently looking at scabbing a Matra rocket pod nose onto the back of a BLU-1 case and adding 19 hypo needles cut down for the eject tubes

hope this helps

Rex

hah, but don't I type slow, eh?

Rex

I prolly build backwards,,,,,,,of all the planes I do and will do,,,,,,,,I figure out the weapons load first, then figure out if there are decals for one carrying them, then make what decals I need to "pull it all into a model"

where others say "first, I start with the cockpit", I will say "first, the weapons for ZZ-xxx" and then go from there

oh my mistake

berny13

Mobius118:

but the the right pylon is holding a camera because it is the same style ive seen with our CF188's and the left is in fact a infrared scanner. again unless Revell did no research into the model they made. i could be possible because i just realized that i actually didnt finish painting it that may look different. but my focus was on the Aircraft not the armaments.

 

I am not trying to argue with you.  From the angle it looks like an ECM pod on the right pylon.  I stated I didn"t know what was on the left.  Below is a AN/ALQ-119 ECM pod.  Post a better picture so I can get a better look at what is hanging on the right side of your jet.

 

As I said, if you could post a picture showing the right pylon, I can see what it looks like.  From the pictures you posted, that is not a TARPS pod on the pylon.  It has the forward gondola hanging below the nose which would suggest an ECM pod.  Until I can see a better detailed picture I am going on the assumption that it is an ECM pod.

perfect ill just concede to that assumption your right. there

Mobius118

perfect ill just concede to that assumption your right. there

Hi Mobius,

I truly believe that you are just taking Berny's comments the wrong way.  He is probably one of the most helpful people on this site.  He was not in any way trying to point out where you are wrong for the sake of pointing fingers.  One of the nice things about a group build is learning about the subject that the group is doing.  And I think Berny is one of the foremost experts on the Phantom.  He is just trying to help you.

Ken

I agree, I think he is just being helpful, in case anyone wants or needs an ID of the pod

My AF Phantom books and articles almost all have a little post it stuck on them with "per Berny" on them

being a mostly Naval guy, it's been a big help to me to read his comments from these two group builds

Rex

Son Of Medicine Man

 

 

 

Hi Mobius,

I truly believe that you are just taking Berny's comments the wrong way.  He is probably one of the most helpful people on this site.  He was not in any way trying to point out where you are wrong for the sake of pointing fingers.  One of the nice things about a group build is learning about the subject that the group is doing.  And I think Berny is one of the foremost experts on the Phantom.  He is just trying to help you.

Ken

TarnShip

I agree, I think he is just being helpful, in case anyone wants or needs an ID of the pod

My AF Phantom books and articles almost all have a little post it stuck on them with "per Berny" on them

being a mostly Naval guy, it's been a big help to me to read his comments from these two group builds

Rex

 

Son Of Medicine Man:

 

 

 

Hi Mobius,

I truly believe that you are just taking Berny's comments the wrong way.  He is probably one of the most helpful people on this site.  He was not in any way trying to point out where you are wrong for the sake of pointing fingers.  One of the nice things about a group build is learning about the subject that the group is doing.  And I think Berny is one of the foremost experts on the Phantom.  He is just trying to help you.

Ken

 

Guys, just let it drop.  It looks like I stepped on someones toes when I questioned the load out.  My conception is if you are going to post something as fact you had better have documentation to prove it.  I know the F-4 isn't capable of carrying the TARPS pod, but that isn't the point.  You can load AIM-54 Phoenix missiles on an O-1 Bird Dog and say they carried them in Vietnam.        It may look kool but not very accurate.

Thanks for the primer tip Darrin.  I might even have a can of that in my garage. 

The Tiger F-4E is grrrrreat!  Pun intended, but great nontheless.

I've been enjoying all the good info going on here.  I'm just lurking for now.  I probably won't start my F-4J until next month.  As for loadouts, the Hase weapons set I have, has a HiPeg gun pod.  I'm pretty sure that is going to be used.

Good stuff!

Cheers,

Greg

1320wayne -- you certainly can join up, I'll mark up page 1 for you right away. The big Revell is a classic kit, I remember looking longingly at it nearly three decades ago but knowing I couldn't do it justice at that point, nor have anywhere to store something that size. I still hope to build some 32s!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Berny thanks for the advice. I'm building the F-4E. It will be a few weeks before I can get fully started on this one as I have a 1/72 scale Mirage to finish first. That will work though as I will be attending the IPMS show in Jacksonville Feb. 5th and I hope to pick up a few things for the large scale build.

Hi Everyone,

I am bummed again.  Each day I come home from work hoping that there will be a package with my kit inside waiting for me on my doorstep.  But again I am disappointed.  Maybe tomorrow?

Berny, I have a question which will not have a quick answer I am sure.  Since I am building an F-4E Vietnam version, the F-4EJ kit that I will be using will not have the colors I need to use.  Could you give me the FS numbers or point me to a good reference that has them?  I have already ordered the "Squdron F-4E Phantom II - Walk Around No. 45" but I don't have it yet and I also don't know if it will have the colors.  If I could get a heads up on it, I could go ahead and order the paint while I am still waiting for the kit to arrive.

Ken

I know the feeling of having to wait until your just about to crack.. :)  I just found out I ordered the wrong hose for my airbrush.  I had to RMA it for the correct one.  Now another week or so before I can get started.  I suppose I could start the cockpit assembly and painting, but I would rather wait until I can use the airbrush on some of it.  This has not been a good week.  I had my wife's keyboard go funky and I was told it was out of warranty, so I got her a brand new one on eBay and today I get an email apologizing and giving me an RMA number for a return for replacement.  Oh well, I suppose it is always good to have a spare.  Oh yeh, and the Fan controller panel on my PC pooped the bed too, another RMA I have to send off tomorrow..  I don't even wanna consider what could go next. lol

Rich

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

I am bummed again.  Each day I come home from work hoping that there will be a package with my kit inside waiting for me on my doorstep.  But again I am disappointed.  Maybe tomorrow?

Berny, I have a question which will not have a quick answer I am sure.  Since I am building an F-4E Vietnam version, the F-4EJ kit that I will be using will not have the colors I need to use.  Could you give me the FS numbers or point me to a good reference that has them?  I have already ordered the "Squdron F-4E Phantom II - Walk Around No. 45" but I don't have it yet and I also don't know if it will have the colors.  If I could get a heads up on it, I could go ahead and order the paint while I am still waiting for the kit to arrive.

Ken

Ken -- I got this one. US South East Asia camouflage Federal Standard numbers are:

• Dark Green FS 34079
• Medium Green FS 34102
• Dark Tan FS 30219
• Camouflage Gray FS 36622

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Thunderbolt379

Ken -- I got this one. US South East Asia camouflage Federal Standard numbers are:

• Dark Green FS 34079
• Medium Green FS 34102
• Dark Tan FS 30219
• Camouflage Gray FS 36622

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Thanks Mike!  I appreciate that.  Another question, I have seen some Phantoms with a gloss finish and others with more of a flat finish.  Which one is correct for Vietnam birds?

Ken

Ken,

Go flat.

Dean

I was wondering the same thing about my RAF bird.  Any suggestions on that one?

Rich

f-4phantom

Ken,

Go flat.

Dean

Ken

Here is one of my instruction sheets for a 1/72 Hasegawa F-4E with the SEA camo pattern views left/right and top/bottom with the color callouts on the right hand side.  If you have issues with clarity, PM me and I'll scan them in PDF format and email them to you.

Let me know if you need the clearer scan.

Rich -- RAF I'm not sure about but they were 'peacetime' birds and if the RN Sea Harriers were anything to go by the peacetime colours were certainly not flat (I think!). It'll stand more research...

Ken -- wellllllll.... the standard answer is flat (and those FS paint codes are for flat paints, you can tell that by the 3 at the start) buuuuuttt... I have Osprey photo books with excellent closeups of USAF F-4s of the period and the lustre of the paint is anything but flat. My own intentions when building those subjects is to use a bright finish for decals and panel accents and a final coat mixing flat and satin for a low-sheen finish. I'm lately singing the praises of the Microscale finish coats, and the armour guys lambast their Flat as not actually being flat, so it might be an excellent starting point. Given that even a matt-painted object remains slightly reflective in strong sunlight, a low sheen on a model can emulate that to the eye.

Hope this helps, M/TB379

Thank you Mike, sounds like a good plan to me!

Ken

Well, the paint has been ordered, thank you everyone!  Now the wait continues......

Ken

Ken -- I just took a look through Robert F. Dorr's Vietnam The Air War, and it's a real mixed bag. Some planes are clearly more glossy than others, and it probably has a lot to do with how recently they were repainted, what batch of paints was used, what environmental factors were at work... Some are very flat but still manage a faint gleam in sunshine, some display a definite "slickness" to the paint that suggests a satin finish. My gut says low sheen would work well as an attractive model and still be truthful to historical information. Beyond that, if you're building a specific aircraft, I'd suggest making a judgement call based on your photographic references, i.e.," this aircraft after this particular mission was probably several months out from its last touchup and was looking pretty flat and dirty..."

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Sparrowhyperion

Rich

 

Son Of Medicine Man:

Berny, I have a question which will not have a quick answer I am sure.  Since I am building an F-4E Vietnam version, the F-4EJ kit that I will be using will not have the colors I need to use.  Could you give me the FS numbers or point me to a good reference that has them?  I have already ordered the "Squdron F-4E Phantom II - Walk Around No. 45" but I don't have it yet and I also don't know if it will have the colors.  If I could get a heads up on it, I could go ahead and order the paint while I am still waiting for the kit to arrive.

Ken

 

This might help.  Just don't paint the shingle panels, blast panels, or inboard stab wedges. 

I found something on eBay which might be of interest to the folks who are doing Vietnam Phantoms.

http://cgi.ebay.com/US-F-4-Phantom-II-VietNam-decals-1-48-Print-Scale-25-/380261059404?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5889534b4c

They are Vietnam Phantom decals.  Not sure of type, but in 1/48 scale.  REAL inexpensive.

Took a look at the sheet.  They are for F-4C,D, and a RF-4C.  There are markings for four aircraft with Mig kills, two of which are for Steve Ritchie & Robin Olds.

Check out the shipping price!    Buyer Beware.

Dean

A little progress to report on the Fujimi RF-4E. Last night I applied trhe Fujimi instrument decals with the Microscale system, and this morning used the edge of a blade to trim the overhang -- they're always larger than the surfaces they go onto... Today I sprayed the seat frames flat back, then brush painted the cushions, this may be the first time I ever got acrylics to go on cleanly from a brush. Then the faceshield handgrips in yellow and black, and harness from Tamiya tape painted Deck Tan and cut in fine strips... Convincing MB-7s they're not, but they'll do, as I can't be bothered tussling with True Details seats on this one.

A bit spartan, but in this scale I'm not going to go overboard, the eyestrain has given me a nice headache already. The only extra detail I might add is some spots of brass paint to suggest buckles. The canopies will be closed so this detail should suffice.

I also sprayed the interior of the nose black to provide darkness behind the camera bays, also a dark end to the intake tunnels; tomorrow a little gray on the cockpit walls (yes, I forgot when I had the AB loaded, I was so busy spraying the separate tub...) and I can proceed with assembly. White in the intakes, gunmetal exhausts, white landing gear components... Then she should build up quite quickly.

Cheers, Mike/TB379