MiG Killers Group Build, 7/07 to 6/08

Hey Guy's,  just a quick update on my F-4J progress. I finally got the fuselage together on Friday but it was so warped that I had to glue it in sections from front to rear. No matter how hard I tried I still ended up with large steps. The wings were pre assembled a week ago and they did not fit too weel either. Snug on one side and a large gap on the other. It was also off center so I have a hugh gap on one side where the wing front meets the fuselage. I have been sanding and filling since saturday and have only the gap at the wing root to finish. At this stage I am sick of sanding so I am taking a break from it. This one is fighting me hard but I am winning. I cant wait to see what else does not fit on this kit. Photo updates in afew day's.

Steve

Glenn,

It's looking great and we can't wait to see her finished.  I especially like the fact that you're going to pose her in flight.  Let me guess, you're going to paint her up as Jolly Rogers bird (VF-84 right?) 

GA Modeller,

Sounds like your 15 is coming together nicely.  FOD covers are a good thing. 

Steve,

It's good to hear that you're winning your battle.  What kit was that again, so I know not to buy it?

Progress has been slow here. I've been working on it, but just tiny bits at a time.  It seems like every day I find another flaw or inaccuracy to correct.  I'm really not looking forward to the missile decals. 

Semper Fi,

Chris 

Chris,

The F-4J that I am building is an AMT kit. I have never built one of these before and it is a early 70's kit. It was given to me by a friend who was a pilot in VF-31 and I built him a model of his aircraft. The Mig killer I am building is also from his squadron commander and he was his wing man on  the day of that mission, so I have a eye witness account of that day and the Mig kill. What a perfect refrence. From time to time he also flew this aircraft and today it is in the Smithsonian  Udvary Hazy museum outside DC only it is in Marine Corps colours. (YEAH). VF-31 have been lobbying to have it put back to it's Mig killer colours. I plan to give my friend when it is done.

If I had the choice to choose I would have built a Hasegawa kit for their fit and detail but seeing as I had an F-4 ready to go I figured on using this one. Dont think I would buy any of their kits after this expierence.

Steve

Another weekend and still filling and sanding. Here is where I am on this one. Some photos of the gap problems, first at the wing root and second of the underside wing to fuselage joint. Threw in one of the cockpit.

It's taking a lot to fill in the wing gap so I am building it up slowely. Hope to have it done this weekend.

Steve

VF-84? I forgot about those guys. I don't know if they had any MiG kills in 'Nam, but I've seen some of their early cruise photos in "B" models with a jolly rogers flag on the tail instead of the all black tail. That would be an interesting version to build. I'm done. Done, done, done. I'm through dancing for the man! It's an F-4B of VF-161, the Chargers, sister squadron of VF-151 on the USS Midway. Mugs McKeown and Jack Ensch got two MiG-17's on May 23, 1972. Next to the Sundowners, they have perhaps one of the prettiest schemes to ever grace a Phantom. This was a 1/72 Fujimi kit with aftermarket decals. I posed her in flight in order to save space on the shelf, the kit's details in the wells were nonexistant, and it looks cool! The cockpit details were suspect as well, and the surface scribing was inconsistent. Hope you like...

Glenn

I like it a lot Glenn. Very cool squadron markings and very sharp. Overall I would say a very nice job on your build and one you should be proud of. By the way, if it's in flyght where are the pilots?. Just kidding, good job.

Steve

Glenn, It's Beautiful

Those are some colorful markings.  I like that you posed it inflight.  The burner cans and exhaust area look great as does the Phantom as a whole. 

Steve,

You're a brave man for even buying an AMT kit.  I haven't tried one since I was a kid.  However, yours is looking pretty darn good. 

I have all kinds of excuses for not even getting to my workbench.  This weekend I went to The "Gathering of Mustangs and Legends" in Columbus, OH.  It was great seeing those increadible machines take to flight.  I bought a great T-shirt at the show.  I think you guys might like it.

Front

Back

My phantom is finally ready for decals.  I tried to apply some to the missilles last night, but they kept splitting severly off of the backing paper.  So I sprayed the sheet with Decal Bonder, I hope it works.

Semper Fi,

Chris

Awwww, Chris, did you have to rub that in? I heard about the fly in a few months ago and was wanting to go, but it didn't pan out. Did they have a huge formation flyby? Gatherings like that don't happen that often, I'm glad you got to go. Cool shirt!

About that missing pilot thingy....I'm still working on that one, but no one will fly with me I do hope to rectify that in a month or so. I have tons of extra pilots in the spares box at my dad's.

Thanks for the kind words

Glenn

Just having some fun with ya Glenn, I have a lot of flying aircraft hanging from the ceiling with no pilots in sight.

Chris you lucky dog, I wish I had known about that airshow more in advance so I could have gone. Love the Tee. Iam an old F-4 man and would have bought a ton of those. By chance did you happen to take any photos and if so please post some.

Steve

Air Master Modeler wrote:

OK guys, I have not decided on what to start on next. I have a few prospects and they are.... 1/48 Revell F-4J (1979 release), this kit will need a major overhaul and I am not sure I want to spend the time on it to make it look decent. It will be a Marines bird with markings for VMFA-122 which doesnt count for the GB.

If  you like to do a Marine F-4J you can do... VMFA-333 only $2.99 at Squadron now!!!

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=MS480846

In June of 1972, VMFA-333 deployed on board the USS America (CVA-66) and conducted mission over Vietnam. It was during this deployment that the sqaudron got its only air to air kill when Major L.T. Lasseter shot down a MiG-21 over North Vietnam. For the rest of the 1970s, the squadron remained affiliated with Carrier Air Wing 8 and made several deployments aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

Hey Guys,

Sorry, I didn't mean to rub it in, but it was cool.  There wasn't a big 51 Mustang flyover.  They didn't have enough time to practice because of bad weather on Thursday.  They did have formations of 3 then 6.  My pics are on my photobucket site under the "Gathering of Mustangs" folder.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v491/ridleusmc/

I saw the F-22 fly for the first time.  That's a wild one.  I think the F-22 has some helicopter genes. 

My phantom has hit a big snag.  The old decals that came with the kit are not cooperating.  They'd split while taking them off of the backing paper.  They just wouldn't slide off no matter how long I dipped them.  I tried spraying them with a coat of Decal Bonder, but that didn't help.  Last night I ordered a Fox one set, but that'll probably take a few days to get here. 

Semper Fi,

Chris

Hey Chris,

Don't take me that seriously 'bout the Mustangs, I was just woofin'. I made up for it with the Blue Angels and the Canadian Snowbirds a couple of weeks back. Sorry to hear about the decals, what is a "Fox One" set? I haven't heard of them.

Thanks

Glenn

Fox One is a Decal Printer/Manufacturer.  I've never used one of their sets before, but I've read here (forums) that they're pretty good. 

 http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=FD32004

This set has the same markings provided in Tamiya's kit for Col Robin Olds' F-4C. 

Semper Fi,

Chris 

You guys cant tell me that this isn't worthy of a mig killer

Any decision on non - us aircraft yet??

BushyFromOz wrote:

You guys cant tell me that this isn't worthy of a mig killer Any decision on non - us aircraft yet??

Bushy,

Rand, the gentileman who started this group build, has taken a leave of absense from this forum.  I doubt he would mind if you joined in.  However, first we should ask the other members of this Group Build if it is time to expand the GB to Non-US Mig Killers.

So what do you guys think?  I think it's time to open it up a little. 

My Phantom is on hold, waiting for replacement decals.  It all depends on how fast squadron.com can place an order.  Come on squadron, you can do it.

Semper Fi,

Chris 

Just checking in....

Yes! I agree it is time to expand the GB to include other countries that have MiG Killers.

Chris, I'll let you handle the expansion.

Now a short explaination of whats going on with me. The wife and I are divorcing and I am moving to Cleveland. I have sold my computer and trying to sell other things (No! Not my models. They are coming with me!) As soon as I get settled in I will start looking for a new computer and quoting Gen. McCarthur.... I Shall Return!

That $ucks bro,

Mark

Sorry to hear that mate.

 I will start posting pics of halestorm, as soon as i manage to nail down a F8 meteor kit

Chris, I can't wait to see that Phantom tagged! It's looking great so far. Bushy, Those are some interesting kill markings on that Meteor.

Hope everything works out ok, Rand.

Glenn

I agree that it's time to expand the Gb to other Mig killers.

Rand, good luck with you and hope the best for ya. Stay in touch friend.

Steve

Good/Bad News,

10 days ago, I ordered replacement decals from Greatmodels.  The order status kept reading "Searching for item."  This worried me, because the order status did not say "In Stock."  I thought it might be a while.  Squadron had the item listed in stock, so I ordered a set.  That order was placed 8 days ago.  Today I recieved the squadron order and a ship alert from greatmodels.  I can put down the destroyers and finish my Phantom, but I wasted money on an extra set of decals.  I'll have an extra if I need it, but I doubt I'll need it.

Semper Fi,

Chris   

I know how that feels Chris. Many times I have ordered something only to have it on back order for what seems to be forever and then I order it again and have both show up. Hey, it never hurts to have extra decals or parts for future projects.

Steve

Very True,

I've had a good decal session since the last post.  These Fox One decals are beautiful, and they go on easy.  However, I have another problem to think about.  These decals don't include all the stenciled markings, such as "No Step" and "Walkway," etc.  Oh well, I'll think about it tomorrow (AKA later today after I sleep). 

Semper Fi,

Chris 

I would like to participate by building Lt. CMDR T.R. Swartz's A-4C from the VA-76 Spirits

On May 1, 1967, Lt. CMDR Swartz shot down a MiG-17 with a Zuni rocket, making him the only A-4 MiG Killer in the SEA Conflict. He received a Silver Star for this action.

btp2k2 wrote:

I would like to participate by building Lt. CMDR T.R. Swartz's A-4C from the VA-76 Spirits On May 1, 1967, Lt. CMDR Swartz shot down a MiG-17 with a Zuni rocket, making him the only A-4 MiG Killer in the SEA Conflict. He received a Silver Star for this action.

thanks for that bit of info thier. well airmaster i hate to see u and your wife split up but i hope everyingt works out for you. i am back building my 15 and iam r eady for the paint booth.so far this eagle has had no major problems and i hope to have it all painted this weekend. and pice to follow shortly. 

btp2k2 wrote:

I would like to participate by building Lt. CMDR T.R. Swartz's A-4C from the VA-76 Spirits On May 1, 1967, Lt. CMDR Swartz shot down a MiG-17 with a Zuni rocket, making him the only A-4 MiG Killer in the SEA Conflict. He received a Silver Star for this action.

Jump right in, We'd love to see more Mig-Killers, progress pics and the like.  It may be a little while until we're able to add your name to the list at the front of the build, but other than that... Jump right in.

Semper Fi,

Chris

Great...in that case I am jumping!

I will be building the Hobbycraft A-4C in 1/48th scale using Superscale decals.

I have to add some more progress shots.  I couldn't be happier with these decals.  You may notice that messed up paint area on the left side of the radome.  I applied a static port decal, then I decided that it was too far aft.  I did a little damage to paint when taking that decal off, but it shouldn't be too hard to fix.  The Fox One sheet came with some extra decals for things like static ports, ejection seats, emergency release, etc, etc.  There was some airbubble/silvering on the tail modex decals, but those can be worked out.  Overall, I'm happy with how these decals are working out.  I want to get this project done before The Cincy Scale show this weekend.

Semper Fi,

Chris