The Official F-4 Phantom II Group Build 2012: Rhinomania III

Cbaltrin -- yes, the thread is certainly active, the build goes till the end of the year and I believe we have quite a few projects underway. You're very welcome to join, but could you field your new F-4F rather than the one almost completed? I don't usually set any percentage rule, but it seems farer to the rerst of the squadron, who are building from the git-go.

Just let me know scale and manufacturer and I'll add that project to p1.

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Actually, it is an F-4D :) and I will be lucky to complete it this year..although I am certainly trying. If I start a new kit, it probably won't be completed until late 2013 as I have 3 small children and modeling time is extremely limited.

Okay, cbaltrin, no worries -- special case situation! Welcome aboard, let me have the details for maker and scale and I'll set up p1,

Cheers, Mike

Hey all,

It's been a while since my last post. But, I've been making slow and steafdy progress on the 1/32 F-4J. Most of the fueslage is complete, but I have been breaking the enitre build into a series of smaller projects, such as the landing gear. I plan on doing the same thing with the external stores.

Main gear. I'm happy with the painting and weathering but those Hobbydecals transfers are freakin' killing me. I seem to spend about 10 minutes per transfer trying to get them to adhere to the matt surface, and yet I still lose some of the transfer. I could use some suggestions on better techniques with these transfers.

For the nose gear door, I adhered a small piece of Bare Metal foil to give the light a more realistic appearance. A portion of the landing gear was scratch-built (why Tamiya didn't include that major piece of hardware is beyond me) based on photo references.

Finally, I'm stuck at an impasse. As some of you probably know, the Tamiya F-4J wingtips far exceed the 12 degree angle from the main wing. I could use some help on how to correct that problem. I do have the wooden jig to help with getting it right, but I don't know of any good construction techniques to make it work (where to cut, sand, etc.).

Thank you sir! It's the Monogram 1/72 F-4C/D (original issue kit I believe) SEA scheme.

Cbaltrin -- done! Looking forward to seeing her go together!

Beckyhead -- that's some stunning work on the gear! LOVE those big scale Rhinos!

Cheers, Mike/TB379

Hi Guys, Here is what I have done so far with my Monogram 1/72 F-4D.  Working hard to finish this up in the next few weeks. Mostly painting this with Mr.Color with Pollyscale for the interior and smaller details.

cbaltrin - what a BEAUTIFUL paintjob! That is precision! My hat is off, sir!

M/TB379

I usually don't plan minor details out too well when I build. Here I am left with a dilema on painting the cockpit "trim" when the model is almost complete.

A spare fuselage half from a Monogram F-4J serves as a template to create a mask.

A scrap of paper is used to blank the interior as I work my way around the cockpit with the airbursh.

Thank you sir!

Finally got a chance to begin my build. This is my first attempt at a cockpit. It's OOB.

Buttoned up the fuselage last night. Looks like the Grand Canyon around the nosecone area! Kit leaves a lot to be desired there.

Hello all, I am starting to get my F-4's some bench time, finally!  Mainly, I have focused on the one with the least done on it, a AM/Monogram F-4D.  This one will be a black bellied "Night Owl".  My camera sucks, so no real close-ups, but I am really pleased with the cockpit so far.  The other 3 have Ed P.E. but this one so far is just scratch built.  I have added the little pull handles, throttles, radar joystick, and other little bits.

Here is the group photo:

To the left is the AM/Monogram F-4J, clockwise, Fujimi F-4N, Fujimi F-4S, and then Am/Monogram F-4D.  It shouldn't take much to get the D and S to be buttoned up, and caught up with the others.

Cheers,

Greg

Not sure where I left off on the RF-4C here but I have been waiting for mask to arive for the kit befor I go further.  I figured I would start the F-4EJ.

cbaltrin, Did you free hand the camo paint on your Phantom?  It looks amazing!

I did some more work on the F-4EJ and since the canopy mask arived for the RF-4C I'm going to give that a try.

68GT, that's a nice coat of primer, she's a beautiful canvas to work on!

Appologies for my own absence from this build for so long, I've just got back from three weeks in the UK and have found myself in the throes of moving house, which will take through into the new year. That's hardly the performance of a GB host and I do appologise.

To all participants, how do you want to round out this build? It was due to end soon, and I'm happy to let it wind down and perhaps take a year off before proposing another Phantom outing. Conversely, I'm just as happy to leave the build open-ended for those still working and anyone who wants to have a go. Please let me know -- I certainly haven't done anything like what I had hoped to!

Cheers, Mike/Thunderbolt379

Hi Mike,

Welcome back, I personally hate moving, too many models and kits to look after. Hope you enjoyed that GB.

I haven't started my F-4, but I do have every intention of doing so. A relaxation of the 31 December deadline would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

Tony

Thanks, Tony -- that's a vote for pressing on!

Rigjt now I'm packing the kits around my bench, reuniting them with their various parts and reboxing them for the move. Items too far along are packed as completed models to protect their paintwork. It's amazing how much materials we ammass to do the job...

M/TB379

Please keep it going. My 1/32 Phantom is taking forever, it with distraction from work and school, I havent had much time to get at it. Xmas might give me chance to hit it again,

Thanks BH -- that's two for continuing. M

No, not free hand, but thanks :-) . Created paper masks held in place with blue tak / poster tack type stuff

An extension would be appreciated.  I a waiting for some paint for the FGR.2 kit.  Some of the Camo bottles got cracked when I moved and I didn't see it until I opened up the paint box for that kit.)  I also may do a R/M 1/48 Black Bunny.  My sister sent me one and I already had one, so I don't feel guilty about opening one of them now and actually doing the kit. lol....

An extension would be great yet to start my f4 it will take me about 4 months to complete over commited myself to other group builds.

Four votes for pressing on!

M/TB379

I'll have to give the paper a try.  I have a Testors F-4G in 1/72 that I've been working on and off with for the last couple of years and just don't like how the camo has come out with just the tak.  It just looks out of scale or something.

Started to apply the decals and its going OK.

HI MIke, Everybody.

I regret not being able to participate more than I did, but personal matters came up, and I barely had time to keep up with participating in multiple group builds. I dedicated most of my time over at the Berny build and even then was absent for many months there.

The RF-4B is far from finished:

I doubt I would finish anytime soon.

It would be odd to not have any new Rhino builds going in 2013, so I'm not sure how to vote. I guess if there may not be a 2013, I will work my Phantom into the next Berny build if there is one, as maybe I'll finish the A-7 in time to close that one out.

Hey  68 GT, that Japanese F-4 is coming along. That's not a scheme I knew of, but I like it.

Cheers

Tony

I just might get'r done in time.

Guys, it's great to see the work going on! cbaltrin, that's a beauty!!! I wish i could do one that good -- ah well, practice, practice!

I think I'll leave the 2012 build open-ended for finishing of existing projects, and we'll kick off Rhinos IV in 2014 -- how does that sound? We've all had way too much real life going on, so we need some elbow room, and this is a no-pressure way to both keep some Rhinos in the loop and ramp down the committments so we can breathe easy and have some fun.

Cheers, longing to get back to the bench,

Mike/TB379