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The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

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  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Sunday, July 10, 2011 10:30 AM

Jim -- Good point, we rather left the Luft 70s camo hanging. My own position is this: The topside gray I have an exact match for, Revell Aqua #36 378 Dunkelgrau. Nobody seems to make a match for the topside green, and it varies a fair buit in photos, from a yellowish olive to a very dark green. As the German name for the shade is Gelbolive, my gut tells me to add a spot of yellow to one of the dark greens until it 'feels" right. The underside gray was officially named Silbergrau, and my best description was that it was a metallic gray, but that the metallic component was very subtle and was often indistinguishable.

Best bet? Homebrew the green and silver gray until they look like the best reference shots. I'll be doing that with the RN -K, the topside Extra Dark Sea Grey is only found in the Gunze range, and everyone says Tamiya Panzer Grey is very close, but to me there's a blue component to the EDSL in many photos that Panzer Grey is missing, so I'm thinking of adding some XF-82 Ocean Grey 2, which is lighter and does have a blue feel. That might visually do the trick, and create a scale colour effect too...

Today's progress on the -K is nothing spectacular. The first round of filling is rubbed down and a few spots are refilled, hopefully that job will be done tomorrow. I'll turn to the canopy as soon as the heavy handling is done, and that'll be as soon as the panel lines are redefined in a few places. I've fitted the twin nose intakes and they were a largely custom job, the parts are a mile out so were carved to shape with a file and flushed into the bearers with adzed CA.

The lower tail antenna still needs to be replaced, and there'll be eight gear bay door parts that can go straight on, then it'll be time for paint. Black for the radome, two shades of metallic for the tail end, mask up and into the main colours, putting a total of 24 missiles into white at the same time. I'll do the engine bay auxilliary air doors open.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Monday, July 11, 2011 10:10 AM

Today's progress on the Fujimi F-4K:

The second round of filling and sanding is done, though there's likely to be a few spots that demand more attention before I commit to paint. The panel lines were gently run-through with a scribing tool and though they're very subtle in the sanded areas there was enough to guide the point, so they're still there. The instrument coaming was resprayed in tire black to better match the anti-glare characteristic, then the projector for the HUD was created with a spot of silver paint before the reflector glass was mounted. Then the canopy went on with plenty of Testor Clear Parts Cement and will dry overnight.

Of course, it was not until the canopy was on that I noticed some paint had worn off one of the ejection grips that I detailed so carefully (it took the magnification effect of these photos for me to see it...) Ah well, nothing I can do about it now!

Next up, mask the canopy, get some masking into the intake trunks, mount the gear bay doors or at least mask their mating points, and I can think about colour. On that note, I began masking the seeker heads of the Sparrows for this and two other kits today as well.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Between LA and OC, SoCal
Posted by oortiz10 on Monday, July 11, 2011 10:41 AM

Howdy F-4 junkies,

As much as it pains me to say this, I may have to throw in the towel on this build.  Maybe rescribing and riveting the build was too ambitious.  Here we are in July, and I haven’t even finished riveting the fuse yet!  It’s scribed, but I’m still stumbling along with the rivets.  I’m about 80% done with the fuse, but I’m not sure if I’m satisfied with the results.  Part of me thinks I should just cut my losses, box up my progress for another day, and turn my attention to another project. 

I’m on the fence here gang.  I still wanna build the 15 minigun Phantom,  but I don’t know if it’s gonna happen for this GB.  I have a Hase -B in the stash that I think I can turn into a –C, or I can pick up Revellogram’s –C, leaving both with their raised detail.  Or maybe I plug along and finish what I’ve started?  I dunno…I may be at the point where I’ve officially lost interest in this project. 

What do you guys think?

Cheers,

-O

 

-It's Omar, but they call me "O".

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Monday, July 11, 2011 8:18 PM

Hang in there O.  A lot can happen in six months.  An old Crew Chief saying is "The difficult we do imediately, the impossible takes just a little bit longer".

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Monday, July 11, 2011 8:44 PM

Greetings everyone,

Well, I finally got home and unloaded the truck and unpacked my suitcase from our trip to the museum with Berny.  We had a wonderful time.  For those of you who were not there, you missed a really fun, informative, great time.  I am going to share some of the pictures.

This one is where we surprised Berny by having the museum reserve his very own parking place:

 

Berny was also given access to walk behind the barriers to get up close and personel with the RF-4C at the museum.  Here is a picture with him posing next to it:

 

Then Berny had a seat in the F-4 cockpit that the museum has set up.  Here is a picture of him investigating flight readiness:

 

Now this next picture would be a Mig's worst nightmare to see on it's six:

 

Thanks Dom for that shot!

I will post more pictures later.

Ken

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Monday, July 11, 2011 9:20 PM

berny13

Hang in there O.  A lot can happen in six months.  An old Crew Chief saying is "The difficult we do imediately, the impossible takes just a little bit longer".

Hi Berny,

Good to see you posting.  I guess that means your flight home went okay?

I just wanted to thank you again for the honor and privilege to spend the weekend with you at the museum.  I had a great time and I am still beaming and grinning ear to ear!  It was very entertaining listening to your stories about the time you spent in the U.S. Air Force.

Ken

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Toledo Area OH
Posted by Sparrowhyperion on Monday, July 11, 2011 9:28 PM

Or in the case of us ex-grunts, just a bit more ammo.. lol  Had a great time Berny, hope you had a good flight home.

 

berny13

Hang in there O.  A lot can happen in six months.  An old Crew Chief saying is "The difficult we do imediately, the impossible takes just a little bit longer".

In the Hangar: 1/48 Hobby Boss F/A-18D RAAF Hornet,

On the Tarmac:  F4U-1D RNZAF Corsair 1/48 Scale.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Monday, July 11, 2011 11:23 PM

Great stuff, ya'll! Wish I could've been there.

O, technically, you could hang those 5 mini guns on any mark of the F-4. Hanging those in real life was probably for giggles anyhow.

Glenn

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 9:03 AM

Looks like you had an absolutely marvelous time at the museum, guys, I so wish I could have been there to hear Berny's reminiscences about the Phabulous Phantom! Looking forward to more pics!

Today's progress:

Not much to report, been hard at work on RL things, but I got the canopy masked, using EZ-Mask vinyls, which went on suprisingly well. Here they are "raw":

And with a few tape tidy-ups (probably my fault, I'm working with twin magnifying glasses to see the edges of the canopy frames) and seals where the right and left halves come together:

Quite a good product, and you get two sets on a sheet, designed for the Fujimi kit -- I haven't found an Eduard set for this bird so far.

The big question now is, what colour was the inside of the canopy frame? Black or gray? Photos of Brit birds seem to be showing black, anybody got any thoughts?

Cheers, Mike/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:00 AM

Mike/TB379, the inside canopy frames, windshield frames, and canopy sill are flat black.  That was the standard color on all versions of the Phantom. 

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:06 AM

Ken, Dom, and Rich, I had a great time at the museum.  I could have spent a whole week there and would have enjoyed each day.  Thanks to all three of you for giving me the opportunity to share time with a great bunch of guys. 

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:08 AM

The Phab Phour.

Left to right

Ken (Son Of Medicine Man), Dom (Bockscar), Berny, Rich (Sparrowhyperion).

 

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b309/berny13/IMG_0099.jpg

 

Berny

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:08 AM

berny13

Mike/TB379, the inside canopy frames, windshield frames, and canopy sill are flat black.  That was the standard color on all versions of the Phantom. 

Thanks, Berny -- I'll see if I can lay on the colour tomorrow, and maybe get the first metallic on the tail end as well. I'm hoping to have this one to the finish line in the next week or two, depending on committments, it'll be my first finished Phantom since 2003 (which appeared in FSM that year, and was Hasegawa's original tool -E, in the markings of the 57th FIS, by Superscale.)

Cheers, glad you had a great time at the museum!

Mike/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Ontario, Canada
Posted by Bockscar on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:14 AM

Hi everyone;

Yes, it was a great trip. I only hope I can remember half of the things Berny mentioned, it was great to learn from a Master.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n625/Fooser_Ken/100_4676.jpg

I wasn't actually able to see through the viewfinder for this shot, I was leaning way over the guardrail, arms and camera extended as far as I could reach, thank goodness I wasn't trying to catch a baseball, I hear that's becoming a real dangerous occupation! -just glad it turned out okay!

Many, many thanks to Ken and Rich for all of the work they put into making this a successful trip. I wish we had a shot of Berny when we drove up to the Museum and he saw his reserved parking!

Berny, the most thanks to you man!

I am so glad you came up to give us your time!

Thank you as well for the stories, and teaching us all how to get real technical, and "read between the lines!"

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Between LA and OC, SoCal
Posted by oortiz10 on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:32 AM

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!  I slept on it and decided to keep working towards finishing a Phantom with 15 guns.  It may not be the Hase kit I'm working on, but I will finish something... 

It looks like those of you that went to the museum had a great time!  I'm sure it was fun and informative!  The museum staff showed some real class by pulling out all the stops for Berny.  And you guys that were actually able to make the trip with him?  Kudos to you guys too!  Awesome idea for a get together.  It looks like I missed a good time.

Cheers!

-O

 

-It's Omar, but they call me "O".

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Toledo Area OH
Posted by Sparrowhyperion on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:48 AM

It was a pleasure Berny.  I was honored to meet you, Dom, and Ken.  I'm still processing photos.  I have over 200 to clean up, just from my camera.  I haven't even started on Deb's memory cards yet. lol..

 

berny13

Ken, Dom, and Rich, I had a great time at the museum.  I could have spent a whole week there and would have enjoyed each day.  Thanks to all three of you for giving me the opportunity to share time with a great bunch of guys. 

In the Hangar: 1/48 Hobby Boss F/A-18D RAAF Hornet,

On the Tarmac:  F4U-1D RNZAF Corsair 1/48 Scale.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 11:25 AM

Wish I could have been there but I'm happy to see you guys had a good time. And thanks for the photos, nice to be able to put a face with your online handles.

Edit: Oops! Thought I was posting this in the Berny thread over on the General Forum- still same sentiments guys Toast

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 4:45 PM

berny13

Ken, Dom, and Rich, I had a great time at the museum.  I could have spent a whole week there and would have enjoyed each day.  Thanks to all three of you for giving me the opportunity to share time with a great bunch of guys. 

Hi Berny,

I have not had that much fun in a long time!  It was just great.  I am ready to do it again!

Ken

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 8:20 PM

Hello Everyone,

As promised, here are a few more pictures. In this one you can see Rich in front with Berny behind him and to the right of Berny is Dom. They are checking out the F-105D. If you look farther in the background you can see Deb sitting and part of Merissa.

 

In this next shot you can see Berny laughing (probably at one of Dom's jokes) standing next to an F-4C.

 

In this next picture you can see Berny (sitting in the chair) with Dom standing beside him checking out the F-105G. Also you can see Merissa talking to her dad Rich.

 

The following picture has Dom checking out the display case and Berny is reading one of the displays. Notice the B-52D looming over their heads! (One of Dom's favorite aircraft by the way.)

 

I am including the next picture because Berny mentioned how much he really likes the F-84E (after the Phantom II of course!)

 

Here is a good shot of Berny with the B-52D in the background.

 

In the picture Rich is checking out one of his favorite aircraft, the B-58.

 

This next photo is a shot of Berny getting ready to pop a wheelie!

 

 

There is more to come, so stay tuned!

Ken

  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 9:11 PM

Wow!  I so wish there was someway I could have been there! I love the picture of the F-105G which is currently my 'other' project that I'm attempting to scratch build a new cockpit tub as I stupidly ruined the kit tub.

I do have the rest of the week off and one of my plans includes a trip to the Wings Over The Rockies Museum. I can visit some of my favorite planes, which include an F-4 (I believe an 'E'?) and an FB-111A! I think there is also a 'Thud', but I don't remember. This will also take in a trip to Colpar Hobbies, which I rarely do as it is across town for me. I can always think of you guys when I'm there looking at similar displays.

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 10:57 AM

Terrific photos, guys! I must visit myself one day. They sure keep it dark in there, it's not easy for photographers -- you did a great job!

Today's progress:

Not a lot of action, I got the intakes masked with tape and tissue, and I fitted the inner and outer portions of the main gear bay doors. fFom this point onward, the bird is on the painting stand until the gear is mounted at the finish. Yes, this is the same stand that appeared in FSM in 2003.

Tomorrow, I see no reason why I can't apply the flat black for the canopy struts, satin black for the radome, and at least the first metallic on the tail. I can hopefully spray the metallics for the other two Fujimi birds underway as well. I'll need to mask the white rudder of the Red Devils -J too, and get some masking into the Sparrow wells of both.

Speaking of Sparrows (and attendant loadouts), today I scored the Hasegawa 1:48 weapons set featuring the TERs and Rockeyes for Showtime 100, and identified the set I need for TERs and Mk. 82s for the Red Devils plane. As a Marine bird I thought it would only be right to show her loaded to shift mud.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: San Antonio
Posted by paintsniffer on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 11:27 AM

It is a damn travesty the modern flight gallery is getting painted black like the rest of the museum. I guess they really don't want people taking pictures.

 

That isn't just any F-4 he is standing next to. That was the one flown by Col. Robin Olds during Operation Bolo.

Excuse me.. Is that an Uzi?

  • Member since
    April 2005
Posted by Thunderbolt379 on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 11:30 AM

Yeahhhh! I noticed!

M/TB379

http://worldinminiature.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 3:06 PM

Your Phantom is coming along very well Mike.  Looks very good so far.  Yes 

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 3:09 PM

How do you spoil a good day at a museum?  Have some kid pull the fire alarm.  That happened to us on Sunday while we were in the IMAX.  Had to leave in a hurry right after the movie was over. 

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Mobile, AL
Posted by RotorHead10 on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 4:53 PM

Just picked up a gem from a flea market.  Going to start my second 1/72nd phantom.  Hasegawa's F-4EJ.  Only problem....no decals!  Looks like a basic fix I could turn into a USAF F-4.  Can't wait to get started.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/MikeTheModeller/GB_Badges/Phantom2011_1.jpg

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 4:56 PM

berny13

How do you spoil a good day at a museum?  Have some kid pull the fire alarm.  That happened to us on Sunday while we were in the IMAX.  Had to leave in a hurry right after the movie was over. 

I totally agree.  At least we got to finish seeing the movie.  I hope they caught the kid that pulled it.  It was a good flick though.  "Fighter Pilot".  Pretty cool.  I liked that they showed not just the pilot and his flying, but all of the support personel as well.  Like the Crew Chiefs!

Ken

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Lafayette, Indiana
Posted by Son Of Medicine Man on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 5:14 PM

Hi Everyone,

Here are a couple more pictures from our museum trip.  In this first one, Dom is in heaven standing next to his all time favorite plane in the world, "Bockscar".  The B-29 bomber that dropped the "Fat Man" nuclear weapon over Nagasaki.

 

And in the next photo is Berny taking a picture of me taking a picture of him!

 

Man, we had a great time.  I want to do it again!

Ken

  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 10:39 PM

Wow! That's the actual B-29 used? What a piece of history! Whether you agree or disagree with what it did, seeing an actual piece of history like that is just...cool!

I made it down to my little museum here in Denver and found myself making a bee line straight to the Phantom display! It is interesting how that since I joined the group build and learned so much about the Rhino, I was able to confirm, with just a look, that it was indeed an "E"! I believe that at one time, they also had a "C", but the decision was made to only keep one, and it was donated to another museum. (In Texas, maybe?)

Interesting, with a smaller museum like this, what you end up with. No fuel tanks, exhaust nozzle only present on the right side, (no engines of course) and they had mis-matched missile rails mounted on the port inboard pylon. I will say, though, that it is a very well preserved plane! Can't recall the markings, so I could have figured out where it was from!

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Thursday, July 14, 2011 3:14 AM

Need your guy's input:

I was thinking about a future build of the F-4E and wanted to add a detail set to the interior. However, it seems the Eduard set I would like (SS201) is sold out in the US. Not even Ebay turned one up Eduard still lists them, Discounted! Sharply reduced! The set is about $7.00 but wondered how hard it is to order from overseas like that and would the shipping be outrageous? Have any of you done this? I could add something else to it to make it a bit more worthwhile, such as a ladder set for my F-105G...

Huh?

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

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