The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

Hi everyone,

I just had a pleasant surprise.  The Aires cockpit is already the correct shade of gray!  I stirred the paint and put it next to the cockpit and I can't tell the difference.  Very cool!  Now I can start the meticulous painting of the detail.

Ken

sidure

sorry, I just read your latest post and it looks like that side is a gonner. Considering the work you have done already on the radome and painting the rest of the blue it might be best to wait for replacement parts

Steve

Stev-o-, don't worry fella, I believe that you will be fine with micro scale. I have used it before and it works.

Now for Berny and/or Rex. Is that the right shade of blue for the WL's? I ask because originally Tamiya calls for X-4 which is a blue as deep as that one from Cam Decals. Here is a 1/48 WL and the shade of blue seems like that one from the Tamiya decals.

sidure

Way to go Bernie, its good that we have this community of builder who help out in times of trouble like this. This is the reason I like these forum with guys who step up to help others.

Steve

It is one model builder helping another model builder.  I will never use the decals, so why not let someone that can.

I have more parts in this group build than I realized.  AIM-9 Sidewinders, pylons and now decals.  Someone please don't ask for a complete unassembled kit. 

well, I'll throw my opinion out there for you,,,,,,,it's worth exactly what you paid for it, though, lol

as a long time NavAir model builder,,,,,I like following specs well enough,,,,,,BUT,,,,,,I'm not a huge fan of the aircraft when they  were trimmed in Insignia Blue,,,,,,I like the "spec color" a whole lot better,,,,,more on line with FS True Blue 35109 or so (the color used for the 300 series of an Air Wing),,,,,,and that looks like the Tamiya decal color and the color used on that model you linked to,,,,,,,very attractive build up to my eye,,,,,,I'd just PM Bernie and get the replacement sheet and go with that

heck, do what I do,,,,,,,,,,cheat,,,,,,build a nice looking model,,,,,,,and call it "scale effect",,,,you'll be part of the in crowd that way, haha

they gave plonkers like me the perfect out when they started talking about scale effect ratios, etc,,,,,,I can now use just about any Blue I choose on anything, it's very difficult to be an "accu-freak" and use scale effect on the same model

your blue radome is just too pretty to paint over with the nearly black of an insignia now, don't you think?

that's about 7 cents worth, I know,,,,,,,but, it is more fun

Rex

no sweat man,,,,,,,,you build in one of the "wrong" scales, anyway

lol

Rex

El Taino

sidure:

sorry, I just read your latest post and it looks like that side is a gonner. Considering the work you have done already on the radome and painting the rest of the blue it might be best to wait for replacement parts

Steve

 

Stev-o-, don't worry fella, I believe that you will be fine with micro scale. I have used it before and it works.

Now for Berny and/or Rex. Is that the right shade of blue for the WL's? I ask because originally Tamiya calls for X-4 which is a blue as deep as that one from Cam Decals. Here is a 1/48 WL and the shade of blue seems like that one from the Tamiya decals.

This is the only thing I can find.  If it is correct, It matches the color of the Tamiya decal sheet.  To be honest, I really don't know what the correct color is.

Check out this set on eBay.  I think it has what you need.

http://cgi.ebay.com/EAGLE-STRIKE-1-48-48112-PHANTOMS-PHOREVER-PT-7-/330498615804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf340a9fc

Let me know if this helps.

I checked that set

http://cgi.ebay.com/EAGLE-STRIKE-1-48-48112-PHANTOMS-PHOREVER-PT-7-/330498615804?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf340a9fc

And it looks like it has the blue color scheme you want.  It's not too expensive either.

El Taino

Thanks for looking and commenting Sparrowhyperion.

Howdy Rex, after posting the picture and rant here, I went back to the decal. I did slide one half in place and carefully the other one. Since there was a gap, I tried to move it carefully to match both halves. As careful as I was, it turned into pieces. I inspected the decal sheets included with the kit and they seems very thin. In fact, I had to look very hard to notice a faint clear carrier. In some of the decals they look like they don't have the clear carrier at all. That wasn't my experience with their 1/32 Viper

Your suggestion seems very good, I have available Micro Scale. The only thing is that I lost that side. I will contact Tamiya on Monday, but I would like to know where to get a set of these from some other manufacturer. I build mostly OOB and I'm not that familiar with AM decals. I looked shortly around the web and came across a set. But the blue on it looks from the picture a very deep blue.

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi everyone,

I just had a pleasant surprise.  The Aires cockpit is already the correct shade of gray!  I stirred the paint and put it next to the cockpit and I can't tell the difference.  Very cool!  Now I can start the meticulous painting of the detail.

Ken

That is great Ken.  At least something is going right for someone this week. 

Well, The Revell kit is officially underway.  I am working on the cockpit as of last night and I have the base color coats for the seats and shell done.  I have to do all the little nit picky details now.  Luckily this one comes with decals for the instrument panels, so all I have to detail are the seats and side panels.  I also need to do a tiny bit of touch up on the black.  Here's an image.

Thanks sparrow, the only issue with that set is that it is for 1/48, I'm working on 1/32. I might order it anyways

Sorry.  I thought you were doing 1/48.  My Bad...

Rich

El Taino

Thanks sparrow, the only issue with that set is that it is for 1/48, I'm working on 1/32. I might order it anyways

Just scored another RoG F-4F anniversary 1/72.  My first was molded in silver and light gray plastic.  This latest is molded in gray plastic only.

Question I have is about the ejection seats in the F-4F.  Are they the same as American F-4s?  The shape in this kit look different than other Phantoms I have built.

Painting tomorrow!!!! Almost 60 degrees, low wind forcasted, so I can finally do more!!!

The Mike

Just scored another RoG F-4F anniversary 1/72.  My first was molded in silver and light gray plastic.  This latest is molded in gray plastic only.

Question I have is about the ejection seats in the F-4F.  Are they the same as American F-4s?  The shape in this kit look different than other Phantoms I have built.

Luftwaffe Phantoms used the same seat. There's considerable differences between kit manufacturers as to what the seats actually look like. I don't know what the RoG seats look like, but of the ones I've built, the most inaccurate ones would be the Italeri/Testors kits; the best ones I've seen are in the Monogram kits. Hasegawa and Fujimi are ok for the overall shape, but lack detail.

Glenn

Hi guys,

Wow, away overnight and there's about two pages of posts!

El Taino -- bad luck on that decal sheet, it's so frustrating when that happens. Good to see you have the situation in hand re the Microscale Liquid Decal Film, I can vouch for that product too -- it's everything the maker's claim and more besides, I'd never be without it. It's great to see modellers pulling together to solve a problem!

Berny -- you sure make it a team effort! Kudos!

Rex -- I must agree, the concept of scale colour, when mated to the effects of clearcoats, takes shades far enough from "raw" that you can just about mix from scratch and still make a reasonable claim to "accuracy," inasmuch as anything can be accurate with so many variables at work. And that's excellent latitiude for getting around problems!

I've pretty much decided to add Hasegawa's big Showtime 100 sometime later in the build, it'll be my first 1:48 Phantom in 32 years...

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Been doing a lot of filling on this kit.

Greetings everyone,

68GT:  Looks like some fine Rhinoplasty your doing there.  It will be a while before I will be getting to that myself.

I have the first coat on the cockpit instrument panels.  This is my first time painting a model since I was a teenager.  I am beginning to get a handle on how much paint to get on the brush.

I am using enamel so I will let it dry overnight before I put another coat on.

Ken

I am not having any luck this week.

I finished the cockpit on my 1/48 Monogram C model, then tried to put it in and close up the fuselage.  I then discovered that the port fuselage half was about /4 inch shorter than the starboard half. I've ordered replacement parts from Revell, but I have no idea how long they will take to get here if they actually get here.  Oh well.  I still have the Hasegawa and the Testors I can work on.  I am totally frustrated.  I spent days on that cockpit and I know whats going to happen when I try and debond it from the fuselage half...  I had to bend and CA glue it because it wasn't fitting right, now I know why..

Sparrowhyperion

I am not having any luck this week.

 

I finished the cockpit on my 1/48 Monogram C model, then tried to put it in and close up the fuselage.  I then discovered that the port fuselage half was about /4 inch shorter than the starboard half. I've ordered replacement parts from Revell, but I have no idea how long they will take to get here if they actually get here.  Oh well.  I still have the Hasegawa and the Testors I can work on.  I am totally frustrated.  I spent days on that cockpit and I know whats going to happen when I try and debond it from the fuselage half...  I had to bend and CA glue it because it wasn't fitting right, now I know why..

Sorry to hear that, good thing is that Revell delivers quite fast spare parts and decals. I wish other manufacturers would be as easy and as fast.

68GT

Been doing a lot of filling on this kit.

 

Looks good!

We'll trade notes on your re-scribing when you get to it.

Dominic

Here's the progress, or regress is more accurate.

First, I broke open the cockpit and pulled out the solid bulkhead I put in between the pilot and the WISO:

Next with the help of other builds here, I cut out the little window/portal through the bulkhead (that's the pilot's panel beside it):

Another shot without all the hair I was pulling out also:

Here's the progress on the RhinoPlasty:

And:

I pulled just about everything out of the cockpit:

I thought I might as well use the cut-out to beef up the WISO's controls:

and

I was inspired by the great work other's are doing so I broke down and removed the intakes, see the big gaps, also there is no air ducting other than that piece on the centre-line inside the fuselage:

and

and

and

I'm also using a Tamiya 1/32 as a reference and inspiration, I get to build it If I finish this Revell kit!:

Many miles yet to go!!!

Next weekend I am going to remove the splitter plates to fix up that fuselage tolerance issue I started last weekend. I realize it is just too ugly to try and fix it such tight quarters, wish me luck!

Hey guys, I have it ripped apart pretty good, any of your suggestions are most appreciated and will be seriously considered; I do want this to be decent looking when its done. Right now it looks like a full house reno!

Dominic

Sparrowhyperion

I am not having any luck this week.

 

I finished the cockpit on my 1/48 Monogram C model, then tried to put it in and close up the fuselage.  I then discovered that the port fuselage half was about /4 inch shorter than the starboard half. I've ordered replacement parts from Revell, but I have no idea how long they will take to get here if they actually get here.  Oh well.  I still have the Hasegawa and the Testors I can work on.  I am totally frustrated.  I spent days on that cockpit and I know whats going to happen when I try and debond it from the fuselage half...  I had to bend and CA glue it because it wasn't fitting right, now I know why..

Wow Rich, Rhino Neuro Surgery after all! Maybe a gallon of de-bonder will help!

Dominic 

I managed to get it out without too much damage using a lot of Debonder and a very sharp Xacto blade.  Minor damage but repairable.  This one is going to be closed canopy for sure. lol

I'm not counting on Revell.  I am still waiting for a couple of parts I ordered over a month ago for my F18 super hornet.  So I am looking for a cheap parts kit on eBay.

Rich

Bockscar

 

Sparrowhyperion:

 

I am not having any luck this week.

 

I finished the cockpit on my 1/48 Monogram C model, then tried to put it in and close up the fuselage.  I then discovered that the port fuselage half was about /4 inch shorter than the starboard half. I've ordered replacement parts from Revell, but I have no idea how long they will take to get here if they actually get here.  Oh well.  I still have the Hasegawa and the Testors I can work on.  I am totally frustrated.  I spent days on that cockpit and I know whats going to happen when I try and debond it from the fuselage half...  I had to bend and CA glue it because it wasn't fitting right, now I know why..

 

 

Wow Rich, Rhino Neuro Surgery after all! Maybe a gallon of de-bonder will help!

Dominic 

Hey ya'll!

Wow, lots of Rhinoplasty and open intake surgery goin' on this weekend! Sorry to hear about the trouble you're having, Sparrow; I hope they get you taken care of quickly.

Glenn

Rich:  I am really sorry to hear about your Monogram kit.  I know for me there is nothing more frustrating than to spend a lot of time on something only to find out you have to tear it all back apart.

Dominic:  All I can say is "WOW".  You are a lot more dedicated than I would be.  I would have given up and just started over with a new kit.  That is a serious overhaul you are undertaking!

Ken

Ahhh I should have kept my mouth shut, I didn't get to paint today. So, still right where I was....

Sparrow, could you show a picture of your fuselage fit/length problem? I've never seen it on a Monogram Phantom, so this is interesting to me.

Hi team, no real progress here, have been busy with work and all the other necessary evil........

Have been keeping an eye on what your all up to        ............and been getting frustrated that I cant find the time to touch plastic

I'm just having a little panic attack at the moment, Should I have install extra weight in the nose ?

I didn't even give it a thought when I whacked the forward fuselage together.

If I need weight up there, I can see one of 2 options occurring

1) find a pilot and go "gear up"

or 2) Rhino surgery - which seems a popular option here, but I just couldn't trust myself  coz I just know I'd get carried away and go all "Concord" up there - then what would I call it ? "Contom" or a "Phancord"

Sparrowhyperion

I am not having any luck this week.

 

I finished the cockpit on my 1/48 Monogram C model, then tried to put it in and close up the fuselage.  I then discovered that the port fuselage half was about /4 inch shorter than the starboard half. I've ordered replacement parts from Revell, but I have no idea how long they will take to get here if they actually get here.  Oh well.  I still have the Hasegawa and the Testors I can work on.  I am totally frustrated.  I spent days on that cockpit and I know whats going to happen when I try and debond it from the fuselage half...  I had to bend and CA glue it because it wasn't fitting right, now I know why..

Is that the Monogram F-4C/D kit you have?  Are you talking length or width? 

Rough as guts

Hi team, no real progress here, have been busy with work and all the other necessary evil........

Have been keeping an eye on what your all up to        ............and been getting frustrated that I cant find the time to touch plastic

I'm just having a little panic attack at the moment, Should I have install extra weight in the nose ?

I didn't even give it a thought when I whacked the forward fuselage together.

If I need weight up there, I can see one of 2 options occurring

1) find a pilot and go "gear up"

or 2) Rhino surgery - which seems a popular option here, but I just couldn't trust myself  coz I just know I'd get carried away and go all "Concord" up there - then what would I call it ? "Contom" or a "Phancord"

You shouldn't need weight in the nose.  Unless you add a lot of extra weight to the rear, the kit should rest on its gear.  The center of gravity is well forward of the main gear.  I have never had a tail sitter on any F-4 I have built.