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F-4J Phantom II


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Greetings!

 

I am normally a prop guy, but ever since I was a kid the Phantom has been my favorite jet. There's just something about that big jet with all the hi-viz markings that speaks to me!

 

Type: F-4J Phantom II

Scale: 1/32

Manufacturer: Tamiya

Your aim in this build: To not make a fool of myself doing a kit that has been done by so many people that are much more talented than I am!

What stopped build?: It 'stalled' at Step 1 due to the need to aquire more bits and add-ons to do what I hope to with it.

What do you think would help you build get through to completion?: Increased confidence? It'll get done, no worries there.

 

This build represents a huge step up for me in terms of the degree of difficulty. I hope to add seamless intakes which requires cutting (and scares the willies out of me) plus a lot of other aftermarket goodies to hopefully turn it into something I can be proud of. I've chosen to do the VF-84 Jolly Rogers simply because of the amazing set of decals I got from HobbyDecal and also (most important reason) I just think it looks cool.

 

F4Jbox800x.jpg

 

I'll also be using this set from Eduard which includes gobs of details for this kit.

 

BigEdSet800x.jpg

 

There are certain things wrong with the kit that might not get addressed, like the too-small cans. There are some that I hope to address but may chicken out, like the BDR patches on the fuselage and the intakes. I'm pretty determined to address the intakes since I already bought the resin ones but if I destroy the kit in the process the build might grind to a halt right there!

 

Input will be much appreciated as this one rolls along! I've had no luck trying to find a book that gives me a better idea of how to detail this properly so if anyone can point me in the right direction on that it would be a great place to start.

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OOohhh...you got some PE there buddy. I know what you mean about doing a decent job of those jets. I feel exactly the same about starting the ones I have.

 

The BDR patches though...they'll just sand off though won't they?

Good luck with the resin intakes...

 

Cheers Matty

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HI I am looking forward seeing you build this model. I have one I want to build but have other builds going right now.

I have found that when working with photo etched parts I have better luck if I take my time and test fit the part before I try and attach it.

And remember to just have fun along the way :rolleyes: :lol:

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I'm pretty determined to address the intakes since I already bought the resin ones but if I destroy the kit in the process the build might grind to a halt right there!

Hi RookieLSP,

 

From one rookie to another, I too was worried about using seamless suckers intakes in my F-4J project and after screwing them up trying to get them to fit I almost gave up on the whole project. That's when a rather nice gent by the name of Paul Stoner showed me this fix for smoothing out the intakes.

 

b0177e71.jpg

 

e4b8f512.jpg

 

 

good luck,

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That looks like a very creative solution to the problem!

 

I've done a fair amount of research on these intakes including this review on here so, armed with some .030mm strips I hope to at least give them a go. The ones I received came with exactly zero instructions however so I'm left having to eyeball everything. :rolleyes: The intakes themselves look slightly different than they do in the review also, so I need to make certain that the shortened intake hasn't been resolved already?

 

If I end up having to buy another kit because I wrecked this one I will be quite the un-happy camper. :blink:

 

The 1/48 kit I'm doing now should be buttoned up soon so we shall see what happens!

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Looking forward to this one Dave. I nearly missed it since I wasn't looking for it in the Group Builds section. I try to always remember Brian Cauchi's philosophy when it comes to kits: it's only plastic, and everything is fixable. If you do run into trouble, walking away from it for a while can really make the difference.

 

Kev

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That looks like a very creative solution to the problem!

 

I've done a fair amount of research on these intakes including this review on here so, armed with some .030mm strips I hope to at least give them a go. The ones I received came with exactly zero instructions however so I'm left having to eyeball everything. :rolleyes: The intakes themselves look slightly different than they do in the review also, so I need to make certain that the shortened intake hasn't been resolved already?

 

If I end up having to buy another kit because I wrecked this one I will be quite the un-happy camper. :lol:

 

The 1/48 kit I'm doing now should be buttoned up soon so we shall see what happens!

 

RookieLSP,

 

I wouldn't worry about the instructions, my set's just told you to:

  1. remove the pour blocks and to sand down the area just behind the outer intakes and trunking that might interfere with the wing joint.
  2. Cut the spllter plates off of parts B11, B12, B17 and B18

My set had the shortness problem that Ben described and following his recommendations solved that problem, but I encountered this problem as well.

 

 

 

 

 

SS_F-4_Intake_installe_03.jpg

 

I just could not get the set to mount so that the inside wall of the intakes were vertical. It was in trying to fix this problem that I dorked up the intakes (good thing it was the intakes that got dorked too because a new fusesalge part from Tamiya was going for about $40.00 :blink: ) I never did figure out what was causing this problem. I know it wasn't the kit because when I used the kit parts things lined up ok.

 

 

Tamiya_F4J_031.jpg

 

Mark B.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I guess it's about time I un-stalled this project, at least a little.

 

While I wait for the gloss coat to cure on a smaller scale kit I made a start on the exhaust cans for this Phantom. The Big Ed package I bought from Eduard includes some great PE details for the cans. I debated buying the resin nozzles to get the correct size but was afraid I wouldn't be able to use the PE if I did. I think I made the right choice.

 

Here is one stock can beside one with the PE now installed.

 

CansPE1800x.jpg

 

It makes a big difference, yes? I think they'll look great painted...

 

I should have this other kit finished soon. Or it'll go on the back burner 'cause I want to get this one rolling!

 

PS Thanks Mark for the warning on the intakes! I've got my fingers crossed that I can get them to work.

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A question of accuracy vs 'looks cool' for you all:

 

Many Phantoms have the red primer around doors, inside the flaps, etc. I think that adding that on model Phantoms really dresses them up, but in the photos I've found of the actual bird I'm planning it seems like this wasn't there. So what do you guys think? Go for the accuracy? Or go with what I think looks cooler?

 

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

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Good work Dave, glad to see you're able to get going on it again. I'm intimidated by PE myself, so I'm already impressed!

 

Kev

 

Thanks Kev! These turkeyfeathers were super simple to install but I have been intimidated by some of the microscopic PE bits also. I just pick and choose the bits I want to use rather than sweat over one tiny bit that the Carpet Monster is likely to eat anyway. :wub:

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A question of accuracy vs 'looks cool' for you all:

 

Many Phantoms have the red primer around doors, inside the flaps, etc. I think that adding that on model Phantoms really dresses them up, but in the photos I've found of the actual bird I'm planning it seems like this wasn't there. So what do you guys think? Go for the accuracy? Or go with what I think looks cooler?

 

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

I don't think it is red primer, I believe it is a Navy warning paint of finger/arm pinching areas. At least it shows in most Navy a/c of the 60's-70's. Not sure when they stopped the practice, but they don't have it now. So probably depends on the timing of your scheme. I'm thinking it left the same time as the white/light grey scheme, but not positive.

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Dave,

 

Great work on the PE on the cans. It makes all the difference in the world to the kit parts.

 

Oh and Ray,

 

I don't think it is red primer, I believe it is a Navy warning paint of finger/arm pinching areas. At least it shows in most Navy a/c of the 60's-70's. Not sure when they stopped the practice, but they don't have it now. So probably depends on the timing of your scheme. I'm thinking it left the same time as the white/light grey scheme, but not positive.

 

While you're right about the red edges being a warning marker your wrong about them being phased out. So you should include them Dave. A super simple way to do the red edge is to "draw it on" with a fine tip red Sharpie pen.

 

Check these super bug doors:

post-8-1188517133.jpg

post-8-1188517139.jpg

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Dave,

 

Great work on the PE on the cans. It makes all the difference in the world to the kit parts.

 

Oh and Ray,

While you're right about the red edges being a warning marker your wrong about them being phased out. So you should include them Dave. A super simple way to do the red edge is to "draw it on" with a fine tip red Sharpie pen.

 

Check these super bug doors:

 

Yeah, I think the red is in. The pics I have are all from a distance so I couldn't be 100% certain either way.

 

In retrospect I think it might've been even better to paint the cans before adding the PE. As it is now I'll be priming and painting metal in order to attempt to make it look like, well, metal. :)

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