The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

Bocks -- I know that cartoon well, you probably scanned it from the same book!

Lewbud -- welcome aboard, page 1 is updated. Good luck building four Phantoms for the project! I found a commentary about that kit in an old magazine yesterday, I'll post it here later.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Intake update;

I cut a paper pattern about the size of a business card, a bit narrower, and made a tube out of it. Ideally, the cross-sectional area of the duct should be approximately equal from scoop to fan regardless of its apparent shape, but I cheated a bit and made the tube slightly conical with the scoop end a bigger diameter.

Next I patterned out an inside flat section to run from scoop almost all the way back to the fan to 'train' the tube as it flattens mostly on the inside going forward from fan to scoop. It flattens out a bit on the outside as the duct meets the fuselage. Clear as mud, right? - I'll post pictures and the paper patterns for the dozens of you bent on foregoing AM resin for the pure pleasure of putty.

Any how, it really helped having the Tamiya intakes and the resin set as guides, however, because the Revell kit is engineered in a significantly different shape, the folks at Revell created a fantasy duct - big enough inside for circus elephants, clowns, and a high-wire act - the paper patterns turned out a different duct design - no worries, the snacking thing is never going to breath a single cubic foot of air.

The paper part is easy, the vac-pac resource somewhat limited, so if I klooge it too badly, I'm gonna buy me that whiskey, guys, then only the fellas in the paddy wagon will care - or most likely not! 

Mike,

If the decals are still good, I'll do the 1970's vintage Revell Blue Angels diamond kit in 1/72.

berny13

Hey, Box here is a kit you should build.

Sparrowhyperion

Not a good idea.  A full grwn monitor can be dangerous, especially during mating season, and a komodo Dragon's mouth is so full of bacteria that one bite and you are probably done for...

 

 

Bockscar:

 

 

berny13:

 

I would have turned that cat into nose weights for a tail sitter, Rich.  I have one cat and she is an outdoor cat.  The wife is allergic to any type of cat.

 

 

Yeah Berny, i was thinking to trade that iguana in for a 6' kimodo dragon or monitor lizard....

 

 

Only kidding Rich, just thinking of those makes my finger itch for a Browning auto-loader.

Lewbud -- certainly! Just let me know what Phantom types, kit manufacters, scales, and any plans re OOB or AM, and I'll enter you up on page 1.

Cheers, Mike/Tb379

Any chance I could get in on this?  Got several Phantoms in the stash, mostly recce birds.

Son Of Medicine Man

 

Bockscar:

 

 

jimbot58:

Hey Bockscar: I really don't do anything special masking. I use "Parafilm M" to mask and then using a new Exacto blade, and holding the piece very close, I squint through one eye and very, very, very carefully trim around the frames. Inside I just used a bit of Tamiya tape and trimmed it to fit.

I just removed the center piece as I didn't like the fit. I have to be super careful as it is cracked...Now I can touch up the paint there.

The parafilm is a bit tricky to remove as it sort of hardens over time and I use a whole lot of patience, and a pointy tooth-pick to scrape it away. It's still easier for me than cutting bits of tape to cover the canopy, esp. curved ones.

Hey Berny, the paint guide shows the center pane of the windscreen to be tinted blue. Would this be correct?

 

 

 

Thanks Jim, that gives me another canopy masking strategy. I'll by a new pack of Xactos for the cutting.

 

 

Hi Jim,

Where do you get this "Parafilm M"?  If it is something I can use while painting this cockpit that would be great!  I tried using masking tape and after about 20 minutes I gave up.

Ken

Parafilm "M" is available through Micro-Mark for about $10 plus shipping. A roll will last you years and years!

http://www.micromark.com/Parafilm-M,7551.html

Here is a bit of info on how to use it:

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/usingparafilmda_1.htm

there used to be a Perfectly Adapted Weasel Driver cartoon, too,,,,,,,,,,but, I can't remember where I saw it

For you Weasel builders..

Hey, Box here is a kit you should build.

Not a good idea.  A full grwn monitor can be dangerous, especially during mating season, and a komodo Dragon's mouth is so full of bacteria that one bite and you are probably done for...

Bockscar

 

berny13:

 

I would have turned that cat into nose weights for a tail sitter, Rich.  I have one cat and she is an outdoor cat.  The wife is allergic to any type of cat.

 

 

Yeah Berny, i was thinking to trade that iguana in for a 6' kimodo dragon or monitor lizard....

LMFAO!!!!

Bockscar

Hey, I couldn't resist....lol....:

I was tempted.  The thing is she didn't do it because she was trying to be mean or annoy me.  She's just unbelievably stupid and paranoid.  That's Abby.  Then we have Raven, who is the house cat ***...  And Spicey who is kind of like the Molly weasely of cats, big and lovable and stays out of trouble.  And finally Snitch, my 20lb. furry paperweight.  he is addicted to potato chips, will steal any of my pills that happen to fall on the floor if he gets to them before I pick them up, so I'm really careful not to drop any.  He got ahold of a Flexoril once and was stoned all day.  Oh yeh, and he likes booze and Meows like a girl.  He's the only male cat in the house so he's really happy despite being fixed..  It doesn't stop him from trying.

berny13

I would have turned that cat into nose weights for a tail sitter, Rich.  I have one cat and she is an outdoor cat.  The wife is allergic to any type of cat.

berny13

I would have turned that cat into nose weights for a tail sitter, Rich.  I have one cat and she is an outdoor cat.  The wife is allergic to any type of cat.

Yeah Berny, i was thinking to trade that iguana in for a 6' kimodo dragon or monitor lizard....

Hey, I couldn't resist....lol....:

I would have turned that cat into nose weights for a tail sitter, Rich.  I have one cat and she is an outdoor cat.  The wife is allergic to any type of cat.

I'm not kidding when I say we have the dumbest cat on earth.  She is afraid of everything, even the cat food bag.  She runs at the drop of a hat.  It's really incredible...

Bockscar

 

 

 

....I don't know why our cats were always terrified of my hobby desk Rich, I have to count myself as lucky. Maybe it was the smell of toluene that was always wafting around it. The carpet monster is a different story....I'll probably find the whole missing squadron of Grumman Avengers one day....those guys'll be so happy to be finally going home....lol...

Bockscar

jimbot58:

Hey Bockscar: I really don't do anything special masking. I use "Parafilm M" to mask and then using a new Exacto blade, and holding the piece very close, I squint through one eye and very, very, very carefully trim around the frames. Inside I just used a bit of Tamiya tape and trimmed it to fit.

I just removed the center piece as I didn't like the fit. I have to be super careful as it is cracked...Now I can touch up the paint there.

The parafilm is a bit tricky to remove as it sort of hardens over time and I use a whole lot of patience, and a pointy tooth-pick to scrape it away. It's still easier for me than cutting bits of tape to cover the canopy, esp. curved ones.

Hey Berny, the paint guide shows the center pane of the windscreen to be tinted blue. Would this be correct?

 

 

Thanks Jim, that gives me another canopy masking strategy. I'll by a new pack of Xactos for the cutting.

Hi Jim,

Where do you get this "Parafilm M"?  If it is something I can use while painting this cockpit that would be great!  I tried using masking tape and after about 20 minutes I gave up.

Ken

Sparrowhyperion

Unfortunately, Green Iguanas are total vegetarians.  Feeding them meat can make them pretty sick, even if you somehow manage to make them eat it.

Otherwise the cat wouldn't still be here now...

 

Rich

 

 

Bockscar:

 

 

 

 

I say take the cat out, or is it take out the cat....lol....that iguana can get mighty hungry if you don't feed it for a bit....Rich that is rather nasty....

 

 

....I don't know why our cats were always terrified of my hobby desk Rich, I have to count myself as lucky. Maybe it was the smell of toluene that was always wafting around it. The carpet monster is a different story....I'll probably find the whole missing squadron of Grumman Avengers one day....those guys'll be so happy to be finally going home....lol...

Unfortunately, Green Iguanas are total vegetarians.  Feeding them meat can make them pretty sick, even if you somehow manage to make them eat it.

Otherwise the cat wouldn't still be here now...

Rich

Bockscar

 

 

 

I say take the cat out, or is it take out the cat....lol....that iguana can get mighty hungry if you don't feed it for a bit....Rich that is rather nasty....

jimbot58

Hey Bockscar: I really don't do anything special masking. I use "Parafilm M" to mask and then using a new Exacto blade, and holding the piece very close, I squint through one eye and very, very, very carefully trim around the frames. Inside I just used a bit of Tamiya tape and trimmed it to fit.

I just removed the center piece as I didn't like the fit. I have to be super careful as it is cracked...Now I can touch up the paint there.

The parafilm is a bit tricky to remove as it sort of hardens over time and I use a whole lot of patience, and a pointy tooth-pick to scrape it away. It's still easier for me than cutting bits of tape to cover the canopy, esp. curved ones.

Hey Berny, the paint guide shows the center pane of the windscreen to be tinted blue. Would this be correct?

 

Thanks Jim, that gives me another canopy masking strategy. I'll by a new pack of Xactos for the cutting.

TarnShip

FGR 2 were non slotted, FG 1 were slotted,,,,,,,,at production and delivery

I am hesitant to say the "always" word, because I haven't seen every single pic of every FGR 2, lol,,,,,,there are so many exceptions in Phantom history

Rex;

That'd be the purple FGR2, with yellow and green polka dots, yeah, it had slotted stabs.....lol.....

Son Of Medicine Man

 

Sparrowhyperion:

 

Well..  Looks like I will have a lot more time for other projects.  Last night, my Daughter's idiotice furry ball of mayhem ran through the room, probably scared by the fan in the living room again, and flew into my storage area like a V2.  The result is the loss of over 90 hours of work, and a lot of modeling funds.  My FGR.2 is scrap.....  So you might as well remove that one from the list.  I doubt I can talk the Wife into letting me replace that one.  The entire left side intake vane and the inside of the AM intake scoop cracked, flew off and have disappeared into carpet monster land somewhere.  Now the Daughter owes me a kit...

Rich

 

 

Wow Rich, that is terrible!  You must have the patience of a saint not to have taken it out on the cat.  That cat surely has more than 9 lives.

Ken

I say take the cat out, or is it take out the cat....lol....that iguana can get mighty hungry if you don't feed it for a bit....Rich that is rather nasty....

Hey Ken:

I remember those!

I may still have a couple hanging around. Yeah, can put the lidd on for a few days and still use the paint,

Thanks.

Thanks for the info.  I asked because I saw a pair of slotted stabilators on Bay that  was thinking of in case I have issues getting replacements from Hasegawa.At least I have the fuselage halves.  That would be the hardest part to replace since it's designed for the Spay engines.  I'm pretty sure I could eventually find replacements for the other stuff in spare parts kits that I see on eBay from time to time.

TarnShip

FGR 2 were non slotted, FG 1 were slotted,,,,,,,,at production and delivery

I am hesitant to say the "always" word, because I haven't seen every single pic of every FGR 2, lol,,,,,,there are so many exceptions in Phantom history

FGR 2 were non slotted, FG 1 were slotted,,,,,,,,at production and delivery

I am hesitant to say the "always" word, because I haven't seen every single pic of every FGR 2, lol,,,,,,there are so many exceptions in Phantom history

Well, I got lucky.  I actually managed to saw out the cockpit module from my FGR2 without destroying it.  And I didn't even have to use debonder...  Just my razor saw.  That saved me about $20 in PE detailing and another $20 for the Mk 7 MB seats.  Not to mention all of the time I spent building and painting.  I was wondering something you guys may be able to help me with.  Some of the FGR2 images I have seen make it look like they had slotted stabilators, but the kit ones aren't.  Does anyone know if they are supposed to be slotted or not?

I just sent an email to see about some replacement parts.  All I need is the wing pieces, the stabilators, and the intakes.  I was actually able to salvage the nose as well.  I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and commit myself to rebuilding this by ordering a new set of True Details resin intakes for this bird as well as for good old 69-260.  Hopefully they will both come out well.

Rich

Well...  It looked like it might have worked, but the wings are too well attached, and I am still missing an intake vane.  I wonder what the maximum amount of replacement parts I can get from Hasegawa is?

I may be in luck.  I opened the FGR2 box to inventory the spares, and I had forgotten that I had a spare set of fuselage halves.  Now if I can find a way to remove the wings, stabilators and cockpit, all I will have to replace is the resin intakes.  Wish me luck...  I have to go do a partial body transplant.

Rich