Tamiya 1/32 F-4EJ modifications to F-4F

[Marko]

After a wonderful response for the albatros plans, i decided to make a thread for my question as well.

 

For another future planned long-long term project im thinking of a german F-4F. Since the Revell has one in 1/32 scale, but it is not really a clean build, also it has lots of cosmetical errors im thinking of converting the tamiya's kit.

After brief review of all kits in their range I determined that the most accurate variant is F-4EJ. The only modifications required to turn it into german phantom would be:

Slatted wings (resin), and elevators without the slats (will try to source one from the C/D kit - that is if someone would have them).

 

Are this all the major modifications, or am i missing other bits and pieces as well? Or would it be wiser to get the revell kit afterall?

 

Also, if i would like to make slattless elevator, is it enough if i cut (or fill) the slots on the original tamiya parts from the EJ kit?

 

Marko

Edited June 20, 2015 by Marko

[Tony T]

You can grind off the inverted slotted stab leading edges.

 

G&T Resin do a great slat set which sets the outer wings at the correct dihedral via tabs.

 

You won't need the wing steel strap mod.

 

The cockpit needs some mods but the EJ is a better starting point than the E (Early Production). Google F-4F cockpit.

 

For a later F-4F you might need the centreline go-fast F-15-type drop tank and attach point.

 

HTH

 

Tony

[Marko]

Many thanks Tony.

 

I was hoping that the elevator is an easy fix - and it surely seems that way. I think that centreline tank can be located in their F-4J kits - am i wrong?

 

By the way, if i drop the flaps, do i also have to drop (extend) the slats on the wing?

 

Marko

[Tony T]

I would just partly drop the T/E flaps, as in the kit. Extending the L/E slats would be a huge amount of work unless you can get the old Cutting Edge slat set, long OOP.

 

The F-4J c/l drop tank is okay for 1970s F-4Fs but by the mid 1980s or so they were getting the new Eagle c/l tanks. The Revell kit has these.

 

You might consider getting the Revell F-4F as "spare parts locker" for the great decals, MLG doors (all Tamiya releases have Navy type doors IIRC, though they can be adjusted easily), go-fast tank and rear attach fitting, and even to attempt mating their outer slatted wings and inner wing slat actuator housings. You can get a Revell F-4F fairly cheaply.

 

HTH

 

Tony

[ghatherly]

Thanks for the recommendation Tony!

 

Marko,   We sell and F-4F wing set that substitutes plain elevator tops for the TISEO.    I can send it with or without the re-enforcing plates on the elevator top, you just have to specify when you order.

 

 

Hope This helps, our forum first thread has the order list and how to place an order if you want.   I would suggest waiting a few weeks as we are designing a new  wing set using the latest 3D CAD and printing technology to offer a level of detail and accuracy new offered by any mfger in a slat wing set.   The new wings will be ready some time in early-Mid July.

Thanks for the support, and let me know what I Can do to help you out.

 

Gary

[Marko]

Well, im not in a rush, as the idea of the build is in its early stage. Most definitely will I first try to hunt a F-4EJ for a good price. Therefore i can wait for the new wing set.

 

altough i have few questions to your offer Gary. The TISEO is the thingy that looks like a flashlight on the port side mid-wing? If that is it, i think german F-4 do not have that. But they sure do have the slatted wings.

 

Is it possible to see some samples (photos or renders) of all the options you have (or you will offer), as i (we) could easier determine which set and additions would i require.

[Tony T]

You don't need TISEO for an F-4F. It was an electro-optic target recognition and tracking device used on F-4Es only (late USAF, Israeli, Iranian).

 

Tony

[Marko]

Well, the design engineers surely found an odd spot to attach it

 

Thats the probably same system as the F-14 has under the nose. Im considering a Revell's f-4f for parts as Tony sugested, as it is not expensive here. Got to check the local shop as it is stated online that they cost around 40 euros, which by the way comes in a whole lot cheaper than the tamiya's kit, but then again, its on a lower level in terms of quality.

 

Gary, will your newly designed set allow dropping the wing slats perhaps?

 

Marko

[ghatherly]

Well, the design engineers surely found an odd spot to attach it

 

Thats the probably same system as the F-14 has under the nose. Im considering a Revell's f-4f for parts as Tony sugested, as it is not expensive here. Got to check the local shop as it is stated online that they cost around 40 euros, which by the way comes in a whole lot cheaper than the tamiya's kit, but then again, its on a lower level in terms of quality.

 

Gary, will your newly designed set allow dropping the wing slats perhaps?

 

Marko

 

 

 

 

 

Our F-4F Set is the  Slat wings,  the elevator tops, and the Sidewinder launch rails.      For the early jets you can use the kit cockpit or our F-4E Vietnam Era cockpit, which are really close to the F WSO.   Down the road we are going to do a dedicated F Cockpit and ICE conversion set, but not until  this time next year at the earliest.   The wings are being updated so it will be a few weeks before any of these ship anyhow.

 

Hope this helps

[Marko]

Well, i guess slat wings elevator tops would be it. I just googled earlier CEC conversion sets on sale at ebay and i must say, they are worth its weight in gold (at least according to some people).

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cutting-Edge-CEC32024-1-32-F-4E-F-Phantom-Upgrade-Set-OOP-RARE-/321755870173

 

For that price i think i'd rather spend few months of trial-and-error of trying to scratchbuild all actuators for the inboard section of wings.

[BloorwestSiR]

Paragon did a dropped slat conversion as well. It only did the inboard slats so you'd have to still get a slatted wing conversion set separately. I have a spare one if you're interested. I haven't tried it yet so can't say anything about the fit. I'll try to dig it out and post a pic.

 

Carl

Edited June 21, 2015 by BloorwestSiR

[Tony T]

Well, the design engineers surely found an odd spot to attach it

 

Thats the probably same system as the F-14 has under the nose. Im considering a Revell's f-4f for parts as Tony sugested, as it is not expensive here. Got to check the local shop as it is stated online that they cost around 40 euros, which by the way comes in a whole lot cheaper than the tamiya's kit, but then again, its on a lower level in terms of quality.

 

Gary, will your newly designed set allow dropping the wing slats perhaps?

 

Marko

 

 

TISEO was built by Northrop and, yes, evolved into the F-14's TCS. Where else to mount it on an F-4E ? Obstruct the pilot's view, or subject it to 20 instantaneous G's from a firing gun ? The wing L/E was the only place to put it without taking up a stores station.

 

 

Well, i guess slat wings elevator tops would be it. I just googled earlier CEC conversion sets on sale at ebay and i must say, they are worth its weight in gold (at least according to some people).

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cutting-Edge-CEC32024-1-32-F-4E-F-Phantom-Upgrade-Set-OOP-RARE-/321755870173

 

For that price i think i'd rather spend few months of trial-and-error of trying to scratchbuild all actuators for the inboard section of wings.

Good grief ! At those prices I could sell both the CE E conversion/upgrade and slat set boxes and buy a new F-4E and two sets of Gary's slat wings!

 

Also in the market for an F-4F later : just waiting for the blue and gold Richthofen Pharewell scheme in decal form.

 

Tony