The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

TarnShip: What I meant about 'color research' is this: The instructions for the kits call out for "Silver" and "Steel" on the Italeri and the same for the Hasegawa with the addition of "Burnt Iron". I had originally painted with the Testors Silver and Steel years ago on this kit and the results were not good. It hade to go with the rest of the paint! I went looking for photos of Rhinos to get an idea of color shading, light or dark. I have Metalizer paint to use and though they are a PITA to use, I have managed in the past. I heard good things about the Talon paint and want to give them a shot someday, they are not in my budget for now. I did manage to get an idea for which areas to leave brighter and which to darken.

One thing I did find in my search was several photos showing that stab plate to be painted as opposed to bare metal as I originally thought. I corrected this tonight.

SonOfMedicineMan: I agree about the camera picking up so much that the eye doesn't see. I picked up several errors after photographing my work with my little camera. Remind me to not allow my photo to be taken any time soon!

had it ages i think i got it from ebay 2nd hand no idea if its still abvailable sorry

Pretty productive weekend, ya'll! I won't mention names so I don't miss anyone, but all the work looks great.

Glenn

eatthis

plodding along with my 2 rhinos i didnt go to bed at all last night so i really need to tonight im knackered lol

Hey eatthis, I like the look of that Revell 4785, where did you get it, is it still available?

-Thanks

Ken:

That looks great! Your air brush was worth the wait. You sure this is your 'First Time'?

Really that's such an improvement, the kit's gonna' look dynamite.

plodding along with my 2 rhinos i didnt go to bed at all last night so i really need to tonight im knackered lol

Hi Everyone,

Nice work eatthis!  Especially the cockpit.  Looks real good!

Jim, your Phantom is coming along very well.  I can't wait to see it when it is finished!

I finally got up the nerve to start using my airbrush.  For my first time with it, I am very happy with the results.  For those who don't remember, I started to paint the cockpit using a paint brush.  Here is a picture of how that turned out:

And another of the instrument panel:

Now here is a picture with the same piece done with an airbrush:

Another view:

And the instrument panel:

It is really amazing how my camera picks up such detail in these pictures.  The finish looks rough but when you look at it with the naked eye, it looks good.  Even under my lighted magnifying glass it looks smooth.  Also, this is in 1/48 scale.

Ken

Jim, what kind of paint color research?

If you mean "paint that works",,,,,,give Talon a try,,,,,,it's one of the very few paints that Anne thinks "smells good" as I use it here at my place. Most of the time, she says things like "ohhh, you've been painting in here again, haven't you?" if a verrrryyyy accusatory tone of voice,,,,,,,even with PolyScale paints, lol

Talon has the advantage of being tintable with PolyScale or Testors Acrylics,,,,,,and even though he's discontinued Steel,,,,you can still get a bottle here and there at the vendors

I have a paint question of my own. I've been using my MM enamels up as I switch to PolyScale,,,,,,I have a ton of MM White and Lt Gull Gray,,,,,,,,pretty soon I am going to be using Floquil/PolyScale Reefer White as my basecoat for Lifecolor acrylics,,,,,,,,anyone have any opinions on PolyScale as a basecoat concerning adhesion and durability? I like White as my primer because if "the model is right" at that point, I am halfway to having it painted after priming.

my simple plan is to shoot the aircraft with acrylic Reefer White overall, then Lifecolor for the Lt Gull Gray, and Talon for the metal areas,,,,,,and then whatever I have here until I  use up my stock for small trim areas, etc

Sound like a workable plan?,,,,,,,,at least until I get all switched over in paint stocks?

Rex

Been doing a bit of painting yesterday, as always, sorry for the cr*ppy quality of the photos:

I gave the weapons and ECM pod an initial coat of flat white but will shoot gloss on later, as I get better coverage that way. The ALQ pod also gets some areas painted black near the ends. Also painted stabilators (underside is bottom gray) but need to work on BMF after some more research for correct looking colors Also finished up weapons pylons. Nearby, on the left, is one of the drop tanks that I will need to rescribe a few lines. Some lost to seam work and another is mis-aligned.

Did some work on the main body-installed the pitot tube and after filling and sanding around the joint, (it is made of brass) I shot on it's coat of semi-gloss black. Looks a bit stark to me right now, but I figure it will even out once I start finish coating the fuselage.

And thank you, Berny, for the info on the flare/chaff dispensers. It seems that Hasegawa only provided the chaff and not the flare. I suppose I could have done some sort of mod, but I don't care to at this time. Perhaps on the "F" if I ever get back to it.....

I was having trouble with the #2 engine intake.  It left a gap where the lower intake mates to the fuselage.  I mean a serious gap.   around 1/8 to 1/16 of an inch.  Used styrene to fill the gap now it's not as bad.   Getting it ready for it first shot of paint soon.

jimbot58

Those chaff dispensers mounted on the weapons pylons brought up a few questions. One reference said that they were added to the "E" in the early mid 70's but not the "F" or "G". However, both the kit instructions of these models show them installed and a on-line photo searches show them used on both these versions. These photos, though, show that different dispensers were used on inboard/outboard sides, with one that fired straight back and the other at a downward angle. I don't want to change anything now, but would like to know for future references.

Also, I do know that a totally different system was used on USN/USMC birds.....

The AN/ALE-40 chaff/flair dispensers were used on the D/E/F/G Phantoms.  The chaff dispenser fired straight back and the flair dispenser fired down at an angle.  I am not sure if the British used them on their Phantoms or if they were used on the F-4EJ.  I have seen pictures of them loaded on the pylons of the RF-4C.

Depending on the mission and threat would determine on how many of each was carried.  Normal load out would be two of each dispensers.

iv been up all night (i cant sleep when the wifes on nights :( ) and iv got bugger all to show for it :(

fortunately the revell has a shelf thats perfect for fixing batons in place so i can mount it with ali rod :)

jimbot58:

After all those manifolds, I am toast. I may have to bevel them a bit as well. Yeah, the weather man said if you're a bit out of sorts, just look outside to find out why!

Talk about side-tracked, I still haven't found flame holders for my AB's.

This got my blood pressure up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twYDrC9pY-k

I think I'll watch it again with morning coffee, that'll get me going....

Well, I haven't accomplished a whole lot lately and seemed to have been side-tracked by the weapons pylons. They have been painted with chaff dispensers installed and pylons for the Shrike and AGM-78's added. The weapons also have been prepped for painting.  Although this is a step towards completion, I need to kick myself back to working on the main fuselage. I would like to be able to decal soon on it, but always seem to hedge on the clear-coat stage, as I always have some trouble getting a really smooth finish. I have used either Testors Gloss-coat or sometimes Floquil Crystal-coat. The Crystal-coat gives a nice finish, but something happens if you handle it too much and it becomes a bit 'tacky'. Reacts to the oils in your skin or something I want to try Future but it will be new to me so here again, I hesitate.

Those chaff dispensers mounted on the weapons pylons brought up a few questions. One reference said that they were added to the "E" in the early mid 70's but not the "F" or "G". However, both the kit instructions of these models show them installed and a on-line photo searches show them used on both these versions. These photos, though, show that different dispensers were used on inboard/outboard sides, with one that fired straight back and the other at a downward angle. I don't want to change anything now, but would like to know for future references.

Also, I do know that a totally different system was used on USN/USMC birds.....

Thanks eatthis, and welcome to the build.

Yeah that's a retooled kit from my '80's version. It looks good and the reshaped nose doesn't look like it needs any revision. They corrected alot of issues with your kit, 'oughta look real good.

number 04785 its revell ag i dont know if its the saem outside europe

eatthis

im also starting a revell 1 32 f4f

Hey eatthis, what kit number is that?

Thanks

im also starting a revell 1 32 f4f

Nice work on the a/b's, Bock's! They look really good.

I started painting the SEA camo the other day; underside grey is on, and I hope to shoot the tan this evening. I'm going to try something different for me in regards to panel lines. I'm going to write them on in pencil after the color coats, then seal them in with the glosscote when I do the decals.

Glenn

oortiz10

Hey everyone,

I have a question about the F-4C.  I'm building an early -C (circa 1966 w/ Navy style pylons) and am using one picture for reference (apparently only one photo exists).  Problem is, the pic doesn't show the wingtips.  I noticed that Hase's F-4 has what looks to me as formation lights molded onto the wingtips.  Here's a line drawing of an -EJ showing what's molded on the Hase's plastic:

Would early -Cs have this detail (formation light), or should I sand it off my build?

Thanks!

-O

You will have to sand them off.  The strip light mod wasn't started until around 1971/1972 time period.

Eatthis -- P1 updated with your details, it'll be great to see another of the big Tamiyas go together!

SMG -- good luck with the rescribe, it's probably not too bad in 1:48. I was looking at the Hasegawa F-4C/D earlier and will definitely be rescribing it when I get around to it. It's a nuisance to have to, but the job should be fairly straightforward at this size. I have a 1:72 partially rescribed but the curved surfaces were really challenging me and I have not worked out how to handle them at that size... One day I will!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Hi all.

Haven't posted in this thread for a while. Been trying to complete other builds and get stuff out of the way. Slowly but surely it's happening. But I couldn't resist starting the F4D. I had to start it for my club challenge anyway (hopefully I will get this one done on time). So far I have dremeled out the lower part of the setas that were moulded into the cockpit tub (nice one Revellogram) and done some sanding and scratching for the tub to accept the Aires seats, glued the upper wing halves to the lower one-piece wing halve which is similar to Tamiya's engineering and also begun rescribing the appauling raised detail. It's my first time rescribing raised detail and I must say it is going rather well. Will post pics soon.

I might add that I'm seeing a lot of great stuff going on here. Awesome job on the 1/32nder El Taino. Love the paint.

Ciao for now.

tamiya 1/32 f4j oob which iv just this minute started :)

Awesome work on the afterburners there Dominic!  Very impressive! 

Thanks George for the tip about using that epoxy for seam filling.  Looks like it works pretty darn good.  I would have to agree with you about avoiding sanding like the plague.  Since this is my first build, I can't say from experience but it sure makes a lot of sense.  Looks like it would be a lot easier not having to repair any details that could get erased from sanding.

Well my hose and fittings for my new airbrush have arrived so first thing Saturday morning I will be trying it out!  It will be good to have progress resume on my F-4E.  Maybe this weekend I can have that cockpit finished!  I will post some pictures tomorrow night to show my progress.  On another note, I just received a phone call from one of my computer customers that will be dropping off a computer.  That means some more cash to go hunting on ebay with!  Life is good!

Ken

I finished sanding the 40 manifolds, and only managed to take a couple thousands off of my thumb this time.

Here is the dry fit, actually wet fit:

That's good 'ole Norton sand paper, the Texans know something about 'true grit':

Only 19 would fit last Sunday, but they all fit now:

They aren't glued yet, but so far so good:

Maybe by Sunday I'll have new AB's.

SH -- sorted!

Cheers, M/TB379

Minor error on my builds in the list.  They should be

Hasegawa 1/48 FGR.2 with AM Eduard Cockpit Detail Set and KMC Intakes, and Aries Ejection Seats.

Monogram F-4J MIG Ace OOB in 1/48 scale (might use a set of Verlinden seats)

Testors F-4F Wild Weasel in 1/48 scale OOB

POSSIBLY an additional Monogram  F-4C OOB in 1/48 scale.  (I will be doing this one last, so it will depend on how much time I have left after the others.  I am waiting for some replacement parts so I am going to concentrate on the others first.)

Thunderbolt379

Eatthis -- you certainly can!

Just let me know what manufacturers' kits, which variants they represent, and if you'll be working OOB or with AM, and I'll update P1 with your projects.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Eatthis -- you certainly can!

Just let me know what manufacturers' kits, which variants they represent, and if you'll be working OOB or with AM, and I'll update P1 with your projects.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

RotorHead10

Is anyone else out there building the Accurate Miniatures F-4 1/72?  Just wondering if anyone else is running into small build issues.  For an expensive kit, it's being a pain....

Hey rotorhead, I am building the AM F-4J also.  I haven't done much yet, as I want to finish a couple of other GB's first.  The AM kit is just a re-pop of the Monogram kit.  The directions for the J aren't accurate, pun intended.  They seem to leave out the Navy parts and show how to build the C/D.  Test fitting the fuse halves didn't seem very good.  I have an older Monogram release and it seems to match up better.  What part is giving you trouble?  I am going to use my Monogram instruction sheet for the build though.

Cheers,

Greg

can i enter a 1/48 and 2 1/32 phantoms please