The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

Steve, your cockpit came out great.  I have the same PE parts for my J model so now I know how they will look when I get around to doing mine.  At least I hope they come out looking as good as yours.

berny13

Matt, the biggest problem with the Monogram J kit is the rear cockpit.  They used the same parts from their F-4C/D kit for the J kit.  Totally wrong but at one time there was an AM cockpit available but I am not sure if it is still in production.  Other than a few nit noi small errors it can be built into a very good model.

Hmmm, typical Monogram lol.  I keep seeing a Legends cockpit for the Monogram J on ebay but it costs more than the kit and requires you to cut off part of the fuselage so I'm gonna avoid that.  There is a True Details set out there for relatively cheap that I've been looking at even though it is made for the Hasegawa J.  I may get it just for the fun of it and try to piece it together in the Monogram kit

Hey gents, I've finally started.

I'm building this fairly old Revell kit....

Its going to be a quick build. There is not very much detail, its more toy like really as a lot of Revell models were back in the day. Its got all the working features, you know, if it retracts or folds, it will. Kind of annoying but for $5 dollars at a model show I can't complain. Ordinarily this would be a fun platform to do some scratch building or adding some AM parts. I will forgo that here as I've already found myself bogged down on too many projects. I just want it to look as decent in appearance as you guys make yours.

I haven't gotten very far...

You can see that its molded in that most delectable shade of olive. Fit has been surprisingly Ok so far, the only issue being some gaps along the canopy but what can you expect when they were intended to open and close....which they won't, when I'm through with them. The pit detail was horrid, the IP was all decals which proceeded to shrivel up when I put Micro sol on them...not terribly but there is a wrinkle or two. Any way, I hope to get it together and through a cool paint job on it to make up for its toy like characteristics.

Thanks,

Thanks Berny for those. I've officially become a 'geaser', those pictures are prettier than....well, those are very nice shots.

I love the hand crafted SS braid and tubing, and all of those static blade layers. Takes me back to a time when bending and filing stainless meant something....I use to file stainless pitot tubes at just the right angle....or at least i thought so....

Thanks 

I was checking the wings out and noticed that the Starboard had a noticeable cant in the northerly direction. Even though I layered the putty over weeks, it appears the shrinkage warped the wing up. I did the unspeakable, and fuelled by a bit of viss'n pinegar, split the wing open to reset the dihedral. 

Kinda nasty, but I don't want that bluntly apparent after all the time I put in. It did not split willingly or neatly, so If I post photos you will need to provide your own bandages!- looks more like a knife fight than a separation.

I can't find the Aires Exhaust, ARS2074 available in an US site, and Edouard is tres tres 'spensive, so guys I'ld like to send the business south as opposed to across the pond; they're in stock in two Brit outlets, let me know if you happen to know, please don't chase it if'n you don't.

Oddmanrush -- BLAST FROM THE PAST! Like, purple haze, man! I built that kit 32 years ago, same edition! It was the first model I ever airbrushed, freehand camo using a Badger 200... I remember that olive green plastic, and the soft detail. Wow, we've come a ways since those days... Good luck, do her proud!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Bockscar

I was checking the wings out and noticed that the Starboard had a noticeable cant in the northerly direction. Even though I layered the putty over weeks, it appears the shrinkage warped the wing up. I did the unspeakable, and fuelled by a bit of viss'n pinegar, split the wing open to reset the dihedral. 

Kinda nasty, but I don't want that bluntly apparent after all the time I put in. It did not split willingly or neatly, so If I post photos you will need to provide your own bandages!- looks more like a knife fight than a separation.

I can't find the Aires Exhaust, ARS2074 available in an US site, and Edouard is tres tres 'spensive, so guys I'ld like to send the business south as opposed to across the pond; they're in stock in two Brit outlets, let me know if you happen to know, please don't chase it if'n you don't.

 

Hi Dominic,

Sprue Brothers list that Aires Exhaust but as "Sold Out".  I have found if you click the link to "Notify Me Upon Availability" and put in your email address, they will usually get the part in a few days.  Here is a link to the page:

http://store.spruebrothers.com/132-aires-f-4bcdn-phantom-ii-exhaust-set-tam-kit-2074-p15957.aspx 

Ken

Ken many thanks for that, unless Mike objects, I'll wait for a reply from the Sprue Fellowship. Yeah, if they are nice to me, I will blow my entire May June discretionary budget on their 1:24 Mitchell.

Truth be known, I have not, yet, sprung for the Big Arizona. ummm....ehrrrr.....squally yikkitty do dah.....I want this Flugel to come out right. Maybe I should get the big Arizona first, or pay off the bills instead!

Appreciate that Ken! You've brought me a new meaning to the word "patience"!

I have given up on the cockpit and ordered another set from Squadron.  It is still leaching oil and has started to delaminate in the oily areas.  I have no choice as I have already cut the fuselage to accept the BB cockpit so the kit supplied tub will no longer fit.  I got a shipment notification this morning so it should be here early next week.

I hope they aren't charging you for the replacement.

berny13

I have given up on the cockpit and ordered another set from Squadron.  It is still leaching oil and has started to delaminate in the oily areas.  I have no choice as I have already cut the fuselage to accept the BB cockpit so the kit supplied tub will no longer fit.  I got a shipment notification this morning so it should be here early next week.

Sparrowhyperion

I hope they aren't charging you for the replacement.

 

I bought that set when it was still Black Box in 2006.  When I called Squadron and told them of the problem they said I have had it too long for a return.  I got a new set ordered for half price and no shipping cost.

That's nice of them.  Most companies would just tell you that you're just SOL. 

Rich

berny13

 

Sparrowhyperion:

 

I hope they aren't charging you for the replacement.

 

 

I bought that set when it was still Black Box in 2006.  When I called Squadron and told them of the problem they said I have had it too long for a return.  I got a new set ordered for half price and no shipping cost.

Thanks Mike, it is a blast from the past...and it shows.

I've made some progress but only have one pic to show. I don't really do in depth WIPs and I really don't have a great camera set up like a lot of you and I really don't have the time to sit and upload a lot of pics from the camera. So for the simple progress shots I usually just use the cell phone and email them to my photobucket account.

You can see that the horizontal stabilizers are taped to hold them in place. This was essential since I messed up. This was a case of me not trusting my instructions or the kit engineering and assembling it the way I thought it should look...which was, of course, wrong. The stabilizers appeared to be upside down, with a slight curve up and what appeared to be leading edge slats on the bottom. I didn't trust that the locator tabs were correct and I didn't trust the instructions. So I cut a tab off and intended to put them on, what I thought was, right side up. Of course, I am too dumb, too early and too smart, too late and didn't check my refs until after the fact. So I had to correct it with much glue....unfortunately, one stabilizer is a bit too far forward...not much but noticeably....I may just leave it

This has been a strange build so far. I'm not surprised by the lack of detail or fit issues. I'm surprised by how much I'm actually enjoying the build and how these issues really aren't making me as mad as they would have only a couple months ago...Maybe I'm not expecting much from this kit.

Thanks,

Bockscar

Ken many thanks for that, unless Mike objects, I'll wait for a reply from the Sprue Fellowship. Yeah, if they are nice to me, I will blow my entire May June discretionary budget on their 1:24 Mitchell.

Truth be known, I have not, yet, sprung for the Big Arizona. ummm....ehrrrr.....squally yikkitty do dah.....I want this Flugel to come out right. Maybe I should get the big Arizona first, or pay off the bills instead!

Appreciate that Ken! You've brought me a new meaning to the word "patience"!

 

Dominic, you crack me up!  I have to make sure I don't have some form of liquid in my mouth when I read your posts or it is going to squirt out my nose!

I have my new cockpit soaking in alcohol.  I have not been too active, it seems that my in-grown toe nail infection has developed an infection in my knee.  I am now on some heavy duty anti-biotics and pain medication because it hurts like you know what!    I definitely do not want to perform any type of precision painting while under the influence!    It would be fun at the time but I would not like what I saw the next day! 

Ken

berny13

I have given up on the cockpit and ordered another set from Squadron.  It is still leaching oil and has started to delaminate in the oily areas.  I have no choice as I have already cut the fuselage to accept the BB cockpit so the kit supplied tub will no longer fit.  I got a shipment notification this morning so it should be here early next week.

Berny, I feel your pain.  Spent a lot of time and effort only to have all go to waste.  In my case since I am still learning I just have to accept it as a learning experience.  But in your case it must be more frustrating because it wasn't caused by anything you did wrong.  I hope your new cockpit shows up soon!

Ken

Looks like I may have a little trouble getting the model.  I looked up the shipping code today to see whereabouts it is and its going the wrong way.  I bought the thing off ebay this past sunday and the code says the package was shipped from Idaho on monday and today it said it went through a packaging facility in Alaska......Im in Wisconsin.  No idea what the heck is going on here, but I better get it.  I'm also not happy about the $11 shipping since its not even going the right way

I emailed the guy and already got a response back.  He said he had the right address and it sounds like the USPS is the one who f***ed up here.  He also said he'd file a claim with the USPS if it doesn't show, so at least I'm working with a good guy.

Son Of Medicine Man

Dominic, you crack me up!  I have to make sure I don't have some form of liquid in my mouth when I read your posts or it is going to squirt out my nose!  I have my new cockpit soaking in alcohol!!!

Ken

BTW, I hope that infection doesn't spread man, that is very serious. The fact it is systemic is quite troublesome, please look after that.

Hey and thanks for the Sprue Bros suggestion, they shipped today! 

berny13

I have given up on the cockpit and ordered another set from Squadron.  It is still leaching oil and has started to delaminate in the oily areas.  I have no choice as I have already cut the fuselage to accept the BB cockpit so the kit supplied tub will no longer fit.  I got a shipment notification this morning so it should be here early next week.

Berny that is bad news, I think you are right about them not getting the catalyst mixed right. Another reason is that possibly someone put too much mold release into the mold and it 'puddled.' I just mention that because I've never used a liquid mold release that wasn't oily, and it really messes up castings.

In any case I hope they graciously replace the unit. I'm looking forward to the Aires exhausts you sold me on, at this rate I'll be all set for the Official Phantom II Group build 2051!

Okay, am I getting weird or what, of all the things a guy dreams about, which we can't discuss here, I had a dream about resin parts. Oh man, I am turning into a geaser! Here's the kicker - when I wake up, it isn't just a dream, it is reality! - Head shrink referals happily accepted!

Bockscar

Son Of Medicine Man:

Dominic, you crack me up!  I have to make sure I don't have some form of liquid in my mouth when I read your posts or it is going to squirt out my nose!  I have my new cockpit soaking in alcohol!!!

Ken

 

Hey Ken, probably not a a good idea to drink vodka and read my posts at the same time!

BTW, I hope that infection doesn't spread man, that is very serious. The fact it is systemic is quite troublesome, please look after that.

Hey and thanks for the Sprue Bros suggestion, they shipped today! 

Hi Dominic,

Once again you got me laughing, you are just too funny! 

I am very happy to help out.  One of the other things I like about Sprue Brothers is their website.  The search engine is very effective and makes it easy to find what you are looking for.

I did go to the doctor on Monday and they took a culture on the infection, called me on Wednesday to change the anti-biotic based on the results.  The toe is pretty much healed and the knee is getting better slowly but surely.  The pain has definitely subsided.

I hope to get a lot done on the cockpit this weekend.  I need to make up for lost ground and try to get past the cockpit and on to the rest of the kit!

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

 

Bockscar:

 

 

Son Of Medicine Man:

Dominic, you crack me up!  I have to make sure I don't have some form of liquid in my mouth when I read your posts or it is going to squirt out my nose!  I have my new cockpit soaking in alcohol!!!

Ken

 

Hey Ken, probably not a a good idea to drink vodka and read my posts at the same time!

 

BTW, I hope that infection doesn't spread man, that is very serious. The fact it is systemic is quite troublesome, please look after that.

Hey and thanks for the Sprue Bros suggestion, they shipped today! 

 

 

Hi Dominic,

Once again you got me laughing, you are just too funny! 

I am very happy to help out.  One of the other things I like about Sprue Brothers is their website.  The search engine is very effective and makes it easy to find what you are looking for.

I did go to the doctor on Monday and they took a culture on the infection, called me on Wednesday to change the anti-biotic based on the results.  The toe is pretty much healed and the knee is getting better slowly but surely.  The pain has definitely subsided.

I hope to get a lot done on the cockpit this weekend.  I need to make up for lost ground and try to get past the cockpit and on to the rest of the kit!

Ken

Ken;

Great to hear about your recovery, look that is a very, very  dangerous condition you are in, so please lisen to your body and any pain or head ache or anything that bothers you pal, uh, not trying to scare you , but the spread issue is the most important thing in your life guy. Make sure the docs know everything and don't let anything go un double-checked pal, 

Yeah Ken, even after the recent med-evolution make sure you get everything double checked. Okay. You mentioned it, so please stay on top, these infection things are incideous and nasty in ways we can't yet explain. This stuff can hide, the fact you went ot a systemic secondary inflammation warrants careful monitoring.

No I'm not a doctor, so, that is not advice. I did work in the Clinical Sciences Division at he University of Toronto.  I constructed both computer and physical models of human tissue. I like cheese and wine, but hate bacteria for just about everything else! Systemic infection always freaks out, just a bit.

Yeah take care Ken, these days I can only handle good news!

When I get that Aires kit Berny suggested, I'm going to calibrate all of my scratch stuff. I've got a plan for the smokers which I hope is going to be decent. If not, i'm going to install the resin stuff. All I can lose is my time and savings!

Take care pal! Beer season is fast approaching!

Bockscar

Ken;

Great to hear about your recovery, look that is a very, very  dangerous condition you are in, so please lisen to your body and any pain or head ache or anything that bothers you pal, uh, not trying to scare you , but the spread issue is the most important thing in your life guy. Make sure the docs know everything and don't let anything go un double-checked pal, 

Yeah Ken, even after the recent med-evolution make sure you get everything double checked. Okay. You mentioned it, so please stay on top, these infection things are incideous and nasty in ways we can't yet explain. This stuff can hide, the fact you went ot a systemic secondary inflammation warrants careful monitoring.

No I'm not a doctor, so, that is not advice. I did work in the Clinical Sciences Division at he University of Toronto.  I constructed both computer and physical models of human tissue. I like cheese and wine, but hate bacteria for just about everything else! Systemic infection always freaks out, just a bit.

Yeah take care Ken, these days I can only handle good news!

When I get that Aires kit Berny suggested, I'm going to calibrate all of my scratch stuff. I've got a plan for the smokers which I hope is going to be decent. If not, i'm going to install the resin stuff. All I can lose is my time and savings!

Take care pal! Beer season is fast approaching!

 

Hi Dominic,

I appreciate your concern.  But don't worry, my wife is a nurse (probably the best move I ever made was to marry her), and she is all over it.  She had already diagnosed the infection before I went to the doctor on Monday!  I told the doctor when I saw him and he disagreed.  But when the results of the culture came back it proved that my wife was right.  Anyway, I have a follow up appointment with the doctor on Tuesday.  My wife told me that my knee is definitely getting better and it does feel a lot better.

And I totally agree with you about beer season fast approaching!  It is supposed to be 74 degrees tomorrow and 83 degrees on Sunday.  I have some yard work waiting for me this weekend inbetween coats of paint on the cockpit!

Ken

Son Of Medicine Man

 

Bockscar:

 

 

Ken;

 

Great to hear about your recovery, look that is a very, very  dangerous condition you are in, so please lisen to your body and any pain or head ache or anything that bothers you pal, uh, not trying to scare you , but the spread issue is the most important thing in your life guy. Make sure the docs know everything and don't let anything go un double-checked pal, 

Yeah Ken, even after the recent med-evolution make sure you get everything double checked. Okay. You mentioned it, so please stay on top, these infection things are incideous and nasty in ways we can't yet explain. This stuff can hide, the fact you went ot a systemic secondary inflammation warrants careful monitoring.

No I'm not a doctor, so, that is not advice. I did work in the Clinical Sciences Division at he University of Toronto.  I constructed both computer and physical models of human tissue. I like cheese and wine, but hate bacteria for just about everything else! Systemic infection always freaks out, just a bit.

Yeah take care Ken, these days I can only handle good news!

When I get that Aires kit Berny suggested, I'm going to calibrate all of my scratch stuff. I've got a plan for the smokers which I hope is going to be decent. If not, i'm going to install the resin stuff. All I can lose is my time and savings!

Take care pal! Beer season is fast approaching!

 

 

 

Hi Dominic,

I appreciate your concern.  But don't worry, my wife is a nurse (probably the best move I ever made was to marry her), and she is all over it.  She had already diagnosed the infection before I went to the doctor on Monday!  I told the doctor when I saw him and he disagreed.  But when the results of the culture came back it proved that my wife was right.  Anyway, I have a follow up appointment with the doctor on Tuesday.  My wife told me that my knee is definitely getting better and it does feel a lot better.

And I totally agree with you about beer season fast approaching!  It is supposed to be 74 degrees tomorrow and 83 degrees on Sunday.  I have some yard work waiting for me this weekend inbetween coats of paint on the cockpit!

Ken

Looking forward to seeing the Aires smokers, it's getting me into BBQ mood, lots of smoke, some Hickory, some Mesquite, some burned beed and some JP-4 for extra flavour, yeah, don't let infection get you pal, it's the BBQ carcinogens that really make life worth living, they may be deadly, but man they taste good!

Hey Mike,

Since there's plenty of time left in this awesome group build, I'd really like to join.

My offering, is the Hasegawa 1/48 30th Anniversary Phabulous Phantom.  OOB build, Phabulous Phantom paint scheme.

So get the bandages, here's the damage on the warped wing:

Note how the images are smaller. My creepy ISP did that on Thursday and changed their whole upload protocol as well. Oh yeah, that' s customer satisfaction for you. I call that malinvestment for sure.

So it did not split nicely, but see how the upper surface has pulled away north, and that's the issue, it was almost 3/32 warped north and didn't look right.

So that's the tear from the underside, kinda jagged like a flint wound.

That's the port wing, it is relatively straight, and the fun-ducking camera likes my cluttered desk more than the macro subject. The higher the tech gets, the lower it's utility!

So I have to somehow convince the topside to relax and get in-line with that bottom edge. Sounds simple, but this is the third time I've had to adjust that sucker, it always relaxes to the north.

I'm keeping a box of 'strike anywhere' handy right about now!

Yeah, my desk has gone spaztik. What with real estate about to lose another 20%, I think I may get a new place after the next crash!

Oh well, by tomorrow I hope to have that warp "re-educated" at a friendly camp I've instituted for the mal-adjusted!

Lighter fluid always smells sweet right about now, hey, Where's Irve Weinstein, get me a Buffalo warehouse!

Bockscar

So I have to somehow convince the topside to relax and get in-line with that bottom edge. Sounds simple, but this is the third time I've had to adjust that sucker, it always relaxes to the north.

I'm keeping a box of 'strike anywhere' handy right about now!

Yeah, my desk has gone spaztik. What with real estate about to lose another 20%, I think I may get a new place after the next crash!

Oh well, by tomorrow I hope to have that warp "re-educated" at a friendly camp I've instituted for the mal-adjusted!

Lighter fluid always smells sweet right about now, hey, Where's Irve Weinstein, get me a Buffalo warehouse!

Hi Dominic,

That really has to be upsetting, I wish you the best in fixing it.

Ken

My weekend ending ingloriusly:

Clamps!!  STAT!!!!!

Yeah, nice, i'm reading it the little rosy glasses book, hoping it will come out a true commrade, but yah never know, please, I hope this is three times lucky!

BTW, I've got some Gator Glue supposedly being shipped, very much looking forward to that, especially for all of the resin stuff in my "I Dream Of The AfterMarket Genie" wake up calls!

Oh man, I cannot wait for BBQ weather, we were so close I almost put up the porch umbrella.

Like I said, I'm gettin' a bit wired, I would rather re-scribe my Flugel's wings than clean off the patio and refill the BBQ tanks! - must be cabin fever at its worst....

I'll post the results tomorrow if i can.

Berny:

Apologies if I sound like I'm beating up on you guy, but per B's resin aquisition, I realized i need to  expand the Rhino by 4mm, yes, 4mm to meet the width requirement.

So I am using, again Berny not trying to tax you here, B's idea for a card stock application versus my beloved, cough hack, putty:

So from this:

To this:

It's a 'sposin looka' lika' 'dis:

But A' bitta 'dis:

Ana bitta' 'dat:

Makin' for a nica' Fffffff aaaa fffffpur!

or until I strike that match, man, my 12 year old is screaming at me right now, no, not my kid, "my" 12 year old...

Bocks -- that is the ER of rhinoplasty and I can only applaud your persistence not to let this beat you! Sending best wishes to your bench and hoping this persnickety beast settles down in the end.

Cheers, M/TB379

Thunderbolt379

Bocks -- that is the ER of rhinoplasty and I can only applaud your persistence not to let this beat you! Sending best wishes to your bench and hoping this persnickety beast settles down in the end.

Cheers, M/TB379

Your comment very much appreciated, I love that aircraft, and it's all your fault Mike, I met these guys here who gave me the guidance and motivation.

it won't be the best or most detailed, but it will be my introduction to the F-4, and it is a plane worth studying, and worth putting up the "scratch" for.

-Thanks