The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

Yeh, I really don't do well in high heat anymore. lol

Son Of Medicine Man

Hey Rich, I know you get the same weather we have here but just a little later.  I would say the summer heat is already here.  Good thing is that the museum is air conditioned.  If we want to see the outside exhibits, we can go early before the museum opens while it is still cool then go inside after it opens at 9:00 AM.

Ken

Hi Everyone,

Here is my update.  I have the ejection seats finished as far as paint is concerned.  I need to let them dry one more day then they will be ready to have the bases cut off.  I will cut the base off of the cockpit tub at the same time.  I will have to clear everything out of the paint booth since there will be a lot of dust.  Then I will be ready to attach some more photo etch parts to both the cockpit tub and the seats.

I have started on the front console for the rear cockpit.  The color photo etch I bought is not exactly a fit to the Aires resin.  I tried trimming it to make it fit but it is not going to work.  The gauges end up being cut off.  So I will have to use the photo etch that came with the Aires cockpit.  It is not color, so it will take a bit more work to give some color.  What this means is a lot more work and time.  I have to paint the background white (for the face dials) and this will take a couple of coats.  I read about a way to paint the photo etch to make it match.  I will need to pick up some acrylic clear along with some acrylic thinner.  I going to stop by Hobby Lobby and hope they have some in stock.  If not, then I will stop by the local RC Hobby Shop to see if they can order it for next day delivery.

I know I am taking a lot of time to get this done, but I want it to look good.  I am also cursed with a perfectionist addiction.  It is just my personality and at my age, it is very doubtful that it will ever change.

Ken

Ken;

........it only means you are approaching perfection........

Well, my little squirrel friend passed on so I gave it a funeral by tossing it into a nearby field. As the outlaw Josie Wales said, "Buzzards gotta eat, same as the worm!"

In the mean time, I did a few things trying to finish up this plane: I painted the little air sensors that go into the intakes, and I also cemented in the afterburner cans, though I had to re-touch the areas around them before I did as handling has wore away the metalizer. It's going to be a pain to cement in those sensors with how well my eyesight is these days.

The other thing I'm doing is trying to repair one of the little tabs on the rear canopy that broke off some time ago. Trying to cut a tiny piece of plastic and get it to cement in place! Oy! Soon I can complete the canopies!

Other than that, all the weapons, pods, tanks and pylons have all been decaled, either clear-coated or dull-coated as needed and are ready to mount. Hopefully I should be able to announce completion very soon!

berny13

 

Bockscar:

 

Repeat? -Thanks

 

 

I built a few of those.  It was the first good model of the F-4 to come out.  Pretty accurate too.  I still consider it the best F-4E until Hasagawa came out with their Phantom Phamily of kits. 

Jimbot -- you deserve a special badgfe for sticking with a build so long and complex and challenging. The repairs have turned up the complexity more than once, but she'll be a credit to you when she goes on display!

M/TB379

Hey Rich, I hope your AC is running okay, otherwise, I hope it's not going to get too much above 75! 

That was a sad squirrel story, sometimes that happens here when the cats get a bird.....I've never seen a critter recover once it tangled with a cat....mind you our cat is way too dumb to actually catch a squirrel. 

Looking forward to that F-4 Jim! -no pressure, I hate rushing....lol....

I have the only AC unit in the house, and it barely keeps it tolerable in here.  The room is too small and packed and the computers, switch, router and other hardware heat it up more than the tiny AC unit can handle.  Right now it's about 80 in here with the AC running.

Rich

Bockscar

Hey Rich, I hope your AC is running okay, otherwise, I hope it's not going to get too much above 75! 

I have the only AC unit in the house, and it barely keeps it tolerable in here.  The room is too small and packed and the computers, switch, router and other hardware heat it up more than the tiny AC unit can handle.  Right now it's about 80 in here with the AC running.

Rich

Bockscar

Hey Rich, I hope your AC is running okay, otherwise, I hope it's not going to get too much above 75! 

"Well, my little squirrel friend passed on so I gave it a funeral by tossing it into a nearby field. As the outlaw Josie Wales said, "Buzzards gotta eat, same as the worm!""

Sorry to hear that. I think my neighborhood has the squirrels from the Geico commercials. Fortunately, I've missed both them and the trees.

Glenn

Bockscar

That was a sad squirrel story, sometimes that happens here when the cats get a bird.....I've never seen a critter recover once it tangled with a cat....mind you our cat is way too dumb to actually catch a squirrel. 

Looking forward to that F-4 Jim! -no pressure, I hate rushing....lol....

I am not very fond of squirrels, but at the same time, I don't like to see animals suffering. Don't get me wrong, I've killed a few animals in my day, but it should be quick and not cruel.

As far as the Phantom, the biggest challenge has been finding the time. With many evenings spent looking in on my elderly Mum, (she will be 81 in a month!) and the crappy hours I work, it can be frustrating. I don't think I sit more than an hour at a time at the work desk. I am shooting for the end of the week, if nothing goes wrong, to declare my victory!

Hi Everyone,

Tonight I cut the base off of the resin cockpit.   It was a long tedious process since it is a large chunk of resin.  I cut a big part of it off with a small hack saw getting as close as I dared.  Then I used a very small file to remove the remaining resin.  That was the part of the operation that took so long.  Now I am ready to start adding the remaining photo etch and resin pieces.  It is getting close!  I can't wait.

Ken

Three words..

Zona Razor Saw... LOL

20-30 seconds max.

Rich

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Everyone,

Tonight I cut the base off of the resin cockpit.   It was a long tedious process since it is a large chunk of resin.  I cut a big part of it off with a small hack saw getting as close as I dared.  Then I used a very small file to remove the remaining resin.  That was the part of the operation that took so long.  Now I am ready to start adding the remaining photo etch and resin pieces.  It is getting close!  I can't wait.

Ken

Sparrowhyperion

Three words..

 

Zona Razor Saw... LOL

 

20-30 seconds max.

Rich

 

Son Of Medicine Man:

Hi Everyone,

Tonight I cut the base off of the resin cockpit.   It was a long tedious process since it is a large chunk of resin.  I cut a big part of it off with a small hack saw getting as close as I dared.  Then I used a very small file to remove the remaining resin.  That was the part of the operation that took so long.  Now I am ready to start adding the remaining photo etch and resin pieces.  It is getting close!  I can't wait.

Ken

 

Hi Rich,

The blade would have to be 2.5 inches in height.  I did check out their website and they do have a blade that is a "Flush Cutting Saw" that would work, but it only has 16 TPI.  The hack saw I used has 24 TPI which offers a finer cut.  If they made a flush cutting saw with finer teeth it would be great!

Ken

I have one about that wide.  If it's not wide enough just make two passes, one on each side of the cut area, then just sand any misalignment that might occur out.

Son Of Medicine Man

 

 

 

 

Hi Rich,

The blade would have to be 2.5 inches in height.  I did check out their website and they do have a blade that is a "Flush Cutting Saw" that would work, but it only has 16 TPI.  The hack saw I used has 24 TPI which offers a finer cut.  If they made a flush cutting saw with finer teeth it would be great!

Ken

Sparrowhyperion

Dom and I were thinking somewhere around the weekend of 7/9.  Before the summer heat really kicks in.

 

berny13:

 

 

 

I am all for it.  Just give me some time to get my strength and energy back.  I could fly up and one of you could meet me at the airport and spend the following day going all over the Phantoms.

 

Sounds good for me.  I could fly up on Friday, 8 July and fly back home on Monday 11 July.  Let me know if those dates would be OK and I'll make my airline reservations.

I have been there before and you can't see everything in one day. 

Sounds good to me.  Anyone else feel like joining us?

We will have to drive down real early on the 9th.  I'm not sure whether or not we will be able to stay over Saturday night or not.  It depends on available funds and if we can find an Iguana-Sitter.  Now we just have to find a way to recognize each other and arrange a meeting point and time.  I have a couple of ideas so let me flesh them out a bit.

Rich

 

Sounds good for me.  I could fly up on Friday, 8 July and fly back home on Monday 11 July.  Let me know if those dates would be OK and I'll make my airline reservations.

I have been there before and you can't see everything in one day. 

berny13

Sparrowhyperion:

Dom and I were thinking somewhere around the weekend of 7/9.  Before the summer heat really kicks in.

 

berny13:

 

 

 

I am all for it.  Just give me some time to get my strength and energy back.  I could fly up and one of you could meet me at the airport and spend the following day going all over the Phantoms.

 

 

Sounds good for me.  I could fly up on Friday, 8 July and fly back home on Monday 11 July.  Let me know if those dates would be OK and I'll make my airline reservations.

I have been there before and you can't see everything in one day. 

Hi Berny,

I have put in for vacation on those dates.  I should not have any problems with getting them off.  I am looking forward to this!

Ken

berny13

 

Sparrowhyperion:

 

Dom and I were thinking somewhere around the weekend of 7/9.  Before the summer heat really kicks in.

 

 

berny13:

 

 

 

I am all for it.  Just give me some time to get my strength and energy back.  I could fly up and one of you could meet me at the airport and spend the following day going all over the Phantoms.

 

 

 

 

Sounds good for me.  I could fly up on Friday, 8 July and fly back home on Monday 11 July.  Let me know if those dates would be OK and I'll make my airline reservations.

I have been there before and you can't see everything in one day. 

That's great Berny, I can get an extra day as it works out, I'll head out about 4:00 on Friday, be in Dayton somewhere between 13:00 and 15:00 depending on how fast i clear the border.

Son Of Medicine Man

 

berny13:

 

 

Sparrowhyperion:

Dom and I were thinking somewhere around the weekend of 7/9.  Before the summer heat really kicks in.

 

 

berny13:

 

 

 

I am all for it.  Just give me some time to get my strength and energy back.  I could fly up and one of you could meet me at the airport and spend the following day going all over the Phantoms.

 

 

 

 

Sounds good for me.  I could fly up on Friday, 8 July and fly back home on Monday 11 July.  Let me know if those dates would be OK and I'll make my airline reservations.

I have been there before and you can't see everything in one day. 

 

 

Hi Berny,

I have put in for vacation on those dates.  I should not have any problems with getting them off.  I am looking forward to this!

Ken

So this is a photo of the kit, airbrushed......uh......cost effective......lol.....nice lightning......musta' had incoming Bears.......

Bockscar

Son Of Medicine Man:

 

berny13:

 

 

Sparrowhyperion:

Dom and I were thinking somewhere around the weekend of 7/9.  Before the summer heat really kicks in.

 

 

berny13:

 

 

 

I am all for it.  Just give me some time to get my strength and energy back.  I could fly up and one of you could meet me at the airport and spend the following day going all over the Phantoms.

 

 

 

 

Sounds good for me.  I could fly up on Friday, 8 July and fly back home on Monday 11 July.  Let me know if those dates would be OK and I'll make my airline reservations.

I have been there before and you can't see everything in one day. 

 

 

Hi Berny,

I have put in for vacation on those dates.  I should not have any problems with getting them off.  I am looking forward to this!

Ken

 

Depending on Berny's flight arrival and our scheds I figure either one of us could greet Berny. 

No problem Dom.  Dayton Ohio is only a 3 hour drive for me and I will be taking Friday off.  No matter what time Berny's flight comes in I will be able to pick him up.  If he is coming in early on Friday I will go over Thursday night and spend the night.  That would be cool since that would give us more time to spend at the museum.

Ken

Thanks Ken;

I hate running good folks offa' the highway in Ohio....lol....

LMAO.. Dom, I learned to drive inn Boston MA.  The defensive driving capital of the planet.  If you can survive driving there, you can drive anywhere.  I terrify people out here..   Oh BTW.. I found that conversion page I was looking for.  Heres a link in case you ever need it.

http://www.paint4models.com/paintchart/paintconversionchart20100101b.html#app=b83a&9639-selectedIndex=1

Bockscar

Thanks Ken;

I hate running good folks offa' the highway in Ohio....lol....

Sparrowhyperion

LMAO.. Dom, I learned to drive inn Boston MA.  The defensive driving capital of the planet.  If you can survive driving there, you can drive anywhere.  I terrify people out here..   Oh BTW.. I found that conversion page I was looking for.  Heres a link in case you ever need it.

 

http://www.paint4models.com/paintchart/paintconversionchart20100101b.html#app=b83a&9639-selectedIndex=1

 

 

 

Bockscar:

 

Thanks Ken;

I hate running good folks offa' the highway in Ohio....lol....

 

 

Awesome chart! Gosh, they forgot "Serious Rib Bruise Black, Deep purple, Red Stripes, a Little Green Around the Edges Colour"....what's up with that?

Good God I would love to be able to join you guys at the museum, but unfortunately, finances, distances and responsibilities here prevent it! Maybe I will make a trip to the Wings Over The Rockies Museum here that weekend and thereby be with you in spirit! Tell us all the details, ok?

Anyway, I am this close to being done:

I managed to mount the AGM-45, the AGM-78 and the air sensors in the intakes. Those went well, though I was really expecting to drop them into the nether regions of the fuselage!

I also mounted the ALQ-119 ECM pod:

I also finally got the rear canopy repaired that was missing the little tab on one side. I plan to wait until the very last to mount the canopies to hopefully avoid any last minute accidents! They will be mounted open! I think I need to change those pitot tube ends to a steel color as the silver just looks wrong to me!

Perhaps I will be able to announce its completion within the next few days! It will take me a bit to produce a decent photo for the honour wall as I will need to load up the old SLR, wait for a day at home to catch the best outdoor light, and then then off to the developers! (Yes, it's true! An actual 35mm film camera!) I already have a roll of film and also plan to take a few shots of my other builds.

I still pan to be in the build as that "F" is still there waiting for me to return to it!

Watch Out SAM! Incoming Weasel!!!

Howdy all,

Embarrassingly, I completely forgot I had signed up for this group build.

Anyhow, I have finished my two builds (sans pitot tubes which i normally leave off) and thought i'd post them here.

This one is a Tamiya 1/72 scale finished in German camouflage.  I understand it's actually a repackaged Italeri model.  Overall, it was ok, but it does have raised panel lines which i'm not a big fan of.  I encountered some fit issues around the nose resulting in most of the panel lines being sanded off.  I'm not dedicated (or experienced enough) to try rescribing, so the nose looks quite plain.

My main motivation for building this model was just to try out the paint scheme.  I've never painted a splinter scheme before and was pretty keen to try one.  I was quite happy with the result, but wish I had used more contrasting grays on the tail - there are two different shades there, but they're hard to differentiate, even when holding the model, let alone in the pics.

I wanted it to look pretty dirty, so I used pastels and artist oils to dirty it up a bit.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

Chris.

Further to my last post, this is a 1/72 Fujimi in RAAF scheme.  Same issues as above - lots of raised panel lines, but a better fit overall.  Between the two that I built, I rate this as the better kit.

I kept this one nice and clean as it's a gift for my uncle.

Again, thoughts/comments welcome.

Thanks for looking.

Chris.