The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2011

I love it!

I have a half built RF-4E sitting here that I was going to paint with the NORM 72 camo.

Looking good Jim!

Ken

Hi all,

I've been absent for a while -- I've been in England for the last fortnight, attending a conference, then having a few days vacation. Now I'm back in Aus and wading through pages of back emails.

Omar -- sorry you're havinging it up for this GB, but I understand entirely. I thought I was going to have my biggest output year ever but I've not actually completed anything since February, and finishing my PhD as well as working was largely to blame. Never mind, there'll always be another Rhinos build coming along and projects will always carry over.

Jim -- the F is looking great! You inspire me to get back to mine one of these days!

Cheers, M/TB379

Ok, after months of deliberation on what to do with the damaged decals for the tail, i decided to use the starboard decals and carefully apply them. Hence the photos only from that angle. I'm sort of ok with this build, not one of my best efforts to date but definitely a good project. I am very tempted to do the Tamiya 1/32 bird one day but problem is where to put it once it's finished.

Cheers

A nice, clean build, Casper -- well done! Updating p1 now -- glad to have had you aboard this GB!

Mike/TB379

Casper:

Great build man, lot's of detail.

Not sure what the translation is on the splitter......but you'll have to let us know where you learned to write so small with brush and ink!.....lol......

Well done!

Mike:

Congrats on your PHD credential! So you like writing long essays mate?....lol.....

Bocks -- Thanks! Well, this one was 112, 000 words, I'd better... I miss styrene!

M/TB379

Thunderbolt379

Bocks -- Thanks! Well, this one was 112, 000 words, I'd better... I miss styrene!

M/TB379

Duuhhhhh what the heck you write 112,000 words about, or should I ask???

Survey a thousand graves, record their characteristics, use stats to see if there was a difference in how men and women were buried in the first hundred years of the colony... There was.

M/TB379

Let me guess Mike......guys got better graves, and not only that, many gals didn't get a head stone......

Of course, my hypothesis might be the reverse of your findings.....

Nope, that's it -- some characteristics of grave architecture were linked to the sex of the sole or primary occupant, and varied through time and with regard to context -- urban or rural. When the final level of anaylsis was done some positive results were significant at the .01 level, so that's pretty clear. Death was not the great leveller in the 19th century, it remained as gendered as life. There are always exceptions, contradictions and statistical freaks, but as far as the survey went it held reasonably true.

M/TB379

Let me guess Mike......guys got better graves, and not only that, many gals didn't get a head stone......

Of course, my hypothesis might be the reverse of your findings.....

Good looking Phantom there, Casper. I am curious though-do Navy birds have a pitot tube in the nose? I don't know as I have yet to build any of mine. I saw yours doesn't have one that I can see.

In the mean time, I seem to have had little time to work on the F, but when I can I have adding a few decals at a time. I don't believe I will be able to finish my bird by the end, although I did take a week off here in December, so maybe i can finish it off. I have little else to do other that take some time off from the h*ll that my job has turned into.

One thing Had a problem with is those pesky decals for the formation lights on the tips of the wings. When i tried to apply mine, they fell to pieces. I am resorting to masking and painting them with a light yellow. I ended up doing the same on the 'Geasel as I had no decals for it.

Any interest in a GB Rhino build for 2012? I see so little activity here lately. I don't know if I will even finish this one let alone start a new one.

Jim

I was just checking to how much time I had for the RF-4E and noticed that my Revell F-4J was never added to my list.  First post was back on July 3 and the finished product was November 5.  I have to work on the drywall in the house and then I'll be back to the RF-4E.

After not being happy with the kit vent (Not RF type) I tried to work with styrene and putty but didn't like that look off that either.  So I borrowed a pair from a Fujimi kit.  I'm still not too happy with the fit and positioning but I'll just have to accept it and push on.

68GT

After not being happy with the kit vent (Not RF type) I tried to work with styrene and putty but didn't like that look off that either.  So I borrowed a pair from a Fujimi kit.  I'm still not too happy with the fit and positioning but I'll just have to accept it and push on.

Decalling continues, but I ran into a bit of a dilemma: The kit provides a shark mouth for the nose, but it is very large, covering from the radome back to almost where the forward formation light is mounted. The problem is that it actually will cover part of the chin intakes on the bottom of the fuselage. No amount of solvent will make that conform and I don't know about cutting it to fit. I tried to find some photos of aircraft without the mouth in the Norm 72 scheme and it seems that though I had a hard time finding any, the ones I found did not have it. I may attempt to try cutting, but if it doesn't work, my F may be without a mouth.

Other than that, I almost have one side done, but still need to decal the bottom and the port side of the aircraft. Plus I need to work on landing gear, pylons, fuel tanks, weapons, doors, stabilators, etc.

In other words, my finishing in time looks doubtful, though I do have a vacation coming up....

Hmmm......I think a tumbleweed just rolled by.....

It's a bit quiet alright.

Poor effort on my part, my Phantom has stalled and really there is no excuse for it - I got to a "tricky bit" that isn't really that tricky at all. 

Better get stuck in -3 weeks to deadline and all

I am stalled as well, mostly due to the Holiday season approaching...too busy trying to get the actual aircraft ready for the 3 weeks of downtime during the Christmas break.

Well, I haven't had much time to work on the Phantom, and still doubt I will finish in time. I understand that I can still claim another badge if I manage to finish a bit late?

A bit more of decaling done and I have nearly finished the right (starboard) side with a few exceptions. The decals are a bit brittle and I had to coat them with Microscale liquid decal film. I still have a few issues with breakage though.

That long dotted yellow and red line on the shoulder above the intakes was a pain and I will probably cut the other in half to ease handling of it.

My research shows very few "F" Phantoms with the shark mouth so I am going to omit it.

Still much to do-I am off this week and I am dead broke as always so I will probably have extra time to work on the build. I am also splitting my time with the F-105G-I will finally be putting the fuselage halves together shortly. Those PE parts have been driving me crazy! Not to mention the fact that I have managed to lose the control sticks on it and I ended up substituting a couple from a Revell Apache helicopter! I won't tell if you don't! I might have to post a picture of the detailed cockpit if anyone is interested?

Hi Jim,

I hope the stress at your job is getting better.  Mine has picked up as well and I have decided that I will try to use my mind set to battle against it.  Remember you still have friends here even if they are cyber.

Your "F" is coming along nicely!     

I am in the middle of studying for my two final exams that are tomorrow and Wednesday then I am done with classes until next semester.  I hope to get some work done on my Phantom during the break.  No chance in hell in getting it done for this Group Build, so it will just have to carry over to the Berny Memorial Group Build starting in February.

Ken

Jim, ditto that, great looking plane, worth the annoyances I'ld say.......

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Jim,

I hope the stress at your job is getting better.  Mine has picked up as well and I have decided that I will try to use my mind set to battle against it.  Remember you still have friends here even if they are cyber.

Your "F" is coming along nicely!     

I am in the middle of studying for my two final exams that are tomorrow and Wednesday then I am done with classes until next semester.  I hope to get some work done on my Phantom during the break.  No chance in hell in getting it done for this Group Build, so it will just have to carry over to the Berny Memorial Group Build starting in February.

Ken

No, the job isn't getting any better. I don't know about using a "mind set" to battle as I have pretty much feel sometimes like I've lost the battle. I've ended up being laid off from 3 different jobs in the span of 8 years just to end up here, and this job has jerked me around on so many levels, from the tyrant supervisor all the way to the top at the corporate level. I've missed out on several raises due me, because constantly changing incompetent, less than caring bosses have mismanaged my training. Being acquired by a different company and having to move our operations across town hasn't helped the stress.

Aside from all that Ken, I hope your exams go well, and I'm sure you'll do great.

As to the build: Decals start on the other side:

And painting gear and doors:

My F-105G 'Weasel' is visible in the back. I'll probably have it and the "F" for the Berny build.

I've also glued the cockpit assembly into one side of the "Thud" fuselage and I am about ready to button the two halves together. I tried to get a good picture of it, though my camera is obviously not up to it.

As I mentioned before, the entire cockpit tub had to be built from scratch as I destroyed the original. When the Berny build starts, I have to post a blog of all the issues this kit given me.

Thanks for your concern, Ken.

Jim

Jim;

Didn't realize things were so rocky at work, that sounds rough enough.

I can see those balsa blocks really come in handy.

That cockpit tub looks pretty good for scratch, did you take/post pictures as you were building it up, if not would like to see how you assembled it.

All the best,

Dom

Hi Jim,

My stress is no where near the level you are at.  I know it sounds cliche, but it will get better eventually.  I have not had the luxury of keeping a job myself for more than 6 years and that one I finally quit because I just couldn't take it any more.  All the other ones I was laid off from.  So I have an idea of what you are talking about.  It totally sucks.

I finally learned that I could not depend on a job being there for me.  I had to depend on myself and put myself first and the job second.  That is the reason I am taking the classes I am in now.  It sucks going to class while working a full time job.  But when I get done, I will be a lot more marketable in the event my job does dry up.

I am in no way offering advice.  I am just saying I understand the pain and stress you are going through.  That is why I am going through the drudgery of going to school because it pissed me off so much when I was in the place you are now.  I have had crappy bosses and been in situations where I felt there was no way out.  The economy right now is bad and of course your employer knows that.

What I meant by "mind set" was that you are in control of how you feel.  I know that might sound like a bunch of hippie talk, and it is hard to actually put into practice.  But if you really think about it, you can choose how you want to feel.

Any way, I personally wish the best for you.  I think you are a terrific person.  And most certainly a great model builder!  You deserve a break!  I hope it comes soon for you.  Just hang it there!

Ken

Not to be a downer Ken, but Deb already has 2 associates degrees and is almost done with her bachelor's in medical office technology.  She is also a CMA and has been out of work for almost 4 years.   She is finding out the hard way that a degree isn't the same guarantee of a new job that it used to be.  She can't even get into fast foods or retail because employers don't want to hire candidates like her since they figure that they won't be there long, and are over-qualified.  She has exhausted all of her student loan options and when she finishes this degree, she will only have 6 months before she will have to start paying back her student loans, unless she can figure a way to continue with some kind of Masters program.  She eventually hopes to be an RN.  But the chances look bleak.  With me on permanent disability, it's going to be a slim xmas...  And if the idiots in DC don't start earning their over-inflated salaries, it's just going to get worse for all of us.  I have a strategy for the next election.  If they are incumbent, I will be voting for their opponent. lol

Rich

Son Of Medicine Man

Hi Jim,

My stress is no where near the level you are at.  I know it sounds cliche, but it will get better eventually.  I have not had the luxury of keeping a job myself for more than 6 years and that one I finally quit because I just couldn't take it any more.  All the other ones I was laid off from.  So I have an idea of what you are talking about.  It totally sucks.

I finally learned that I could not depend on a job being there for me.  I had to depend on myself and put myself first and the job second.  That is the reason I am taking the classes I am in now.  It sucks going to class while working a full time job.  But when I get done, I will be a lot more marketable in the event my job does dry up.

I am in no way offering advice.  I am just saying I understand the pain and stress you are going through.  That is why I am going through the drudgery of going to school because it pissed me off so much when I was in the place you are now.  I have had crappy bosses and been in situations where I felt there was no way out.  The economy right now is bad and of course your employer knows that.

What I meant by "mind set" was that you are in control of how you feel.  I know that might sound like a bunch of hippie talk, and it is hard to actually put into practice.  But if you really think about it, you can choose how you want to feel.

Any way, I personally wish the best for you.  I think you are a terrific person.  And most certainly a great model builder!  You deserve a break!  I hope it comes soon for you.  Just hang it there!

Ken

I have learned that it is useless to have any loyalty towards any company as they will certainly have none for you.

I wish I had tried to get a better education when I was younger, but hind-sight is always 20/20, as the old cliche' goes. There was no money to do so as Dad was a construction worker who was often out of work. My grades were terrible in school so the idea of any kind of scholarship was out of the question. It wasn't that I couldn't do the work, I just wouldn't! I was told that (not to toot my own horn or anything) I am an individual with above average intelligence, and most likely was bored with the whole public school scenario. There wasn't much pressure at home to excel as both parents never finished school. Dad was the product of German immigrants, and worked the sugar beet fields of Nebraska. His education stopped at the 6th grade. Mom was the product of an illegitimate birth to an alcoholic woman in the less than nice urban section of Chicago, and only attended school to the 8th grade.My basic school work was beyond them so there was no help at home.

When I was a kid back in the early '60s, there was a show called Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, starring a guy named Marlin Perkins.

I remember an episode documenting salmon trying to get over a water fall. Man, they just kept jumping up and falling back, jumping up and falling back.

Yeah, the ones that gave up for exhaustion got eaten by bears........nice finish to a hard day's work. Yeah, this decline sucks, but even though I don't know what I'm going to be doing for sure in a year from now, I figure I'll do just about anything to keep out of reach of those bears.....

Speaking of jumping up and falling back, I miscalculated on the intake duct lengths, and it took me about a dozen dry fits to see the obvious. I got the turbine cones figured out though, and am still trying to find a solution for the flame holders that can be scratched, that is without deliberately pulling my finger nails off with pliers just to relieve the pain of frustration!

I need some styrene tubing, inner ring about 1cm, middle ring about 1.5 cm, and outer about 2.8 or so. Luckily I have the Tamiya kit handy as a pattern, it doesn't do an accurate job but it is a simple set up.....where are those pliers.....

The Revell kit didn't include Wittman-area-ruling around the fuselage containing the engines, so i had to modify a bulkhead to give her 'hips.' Finally found a solution to the warpage around the front missile bays and got that glued in place. Repared a major crack that emerged in the rear of the wing assemby - result of super brittle 30 year old plastic and way too many dry fittings.....over stressed for sure.

I may not get all this accomplished within the official time, but I sure did get a lot done in this build, so if I don't get the "F-4RP" finished before closing time, I'll move the last bits over to another build.

An associate at work told me that the times we live in right now are like a 'shish' bath, and I didn't have anything to disagree with him on that. Just got to hang tough and keep trying to get over the 'foaming' waterfall, lot's of 'foaming' bears around just waiting.......

jimbot58

I have learned that it is useless to have any loyalty towards any company as they will certainly have none for you.

I wish I had tried to get a better education when I was younger, but hind-sight is always 20/20, as the old cliche' goes. There was no money to do so as Dad was a construction worker who was often out of work. My grades were terrible in school so the idea of any kind of scholarship was out of the question. It wasn't that I couldn't do the work, I just wouldn't! I was told that (not to toot my own horn or anything) I am an individual with above average intelligence, and most likely was bored with the whole public school scenario. There wasn't much pressure at home to excel as both parents never finished school. Dad was the product of German immigrants, and worked the sugar beet fields of Nebraska. His education stopped at the 6th grade. Mom was the product of an illegitimate birth to an alcoholic woman in the less than nice urban section of Chicago, and only attended school to the 8th grade.My basic school work was beyond them so there was no help at home.

Hi Jim,

We could be identical twins from your description.  I too did not apply myself in high school.  Just barely graduated.  Many years later (when I was 30 years old) and I applied at Purdue University, they looked at my high school grades and literally laughed out loud at me!  While the guy was laughing, and wiping the tears out of his eyes, he suggested I take some of the required math courses at a local community college.  Well, once again pissed off, I did (algebra, trig, etc.) and made straight A's.  I went back and applied again.  This time there wasn't any laughing.

Anyway, I am now 54 years old.  The courses I am now taking are not for a degree.  They are actually for a certification working with Cisco networking hardware (CCNA).  With that certification and my already accumulated work experience, I can pretty much get a job just about any where.  The degree has to be in a job field that is in demand to be worth anything.  Another field that is in high demand is nursing.  If you have a RN degree, you are set.

Ken