ghatherly

Brian, Isn’t there enough on this subject on the other sites about this project that we really need to discuss it here?? Considering it is 1/48 and not a LSP, does it have to be here? Seems like the hobby is turning into nothing but self proclaimed experts and complainers.

Lets look at what is available: F-14: Revell makes a F-14A kit that if built with care make into a Nice model. IF nothing else it is very inexpensive to try before tackling the Tamiya or Trumpeter kits. Tamiya makes an F-14A in with two updates over the years. The latest changed the forward fuselage updating the gun venting and making recessed details. Dimensionally it is the most accurate shaped kit of the three. With Aires cockpit and engines you can make a real nice build without reworking the raised panel lines on the rest of the kit. Keep in mind it is 45 years old. Trumpeter offers all three versions, a A, B, D. IT is very nice but has some dimensional errors, particular in the intakes and exhausts. IT is the most expensive of the three brands and really needs extensive modification of the intakes or purchase of the the Zactomodel intake set ( gorgeous set and worth every penny, but another $70 + shipping on an already $150+ KIT. F-4: Would love to see new plastic, but not any time soon. Zoukei Mura will eventually do them but not until the 1/48 line is done, which will be a while as they get trough the Recce's, Long nose, and F-4B's. Revell makes two kinds of Phantoms. The very old F-4J/E kit with raised panel lines that was new 40-50 years ago. There is also an RF-4B in this plastic. Some 20 years ago Revell came out with a new kitting of the Airforce F-4E's in what has become known as the new tool kits, though some 20+ years old. The reveal is offered in many boxings in F-4F, F-4E, with decals and themes being the only difference. IT has issues that need tube fixed that are discussed in other threads. The same basic kit was also expanded into RF-4C and E kits and in the last couple of years two F-4G boxings. They build into nice kits but for many modelers have have shape issues and errors. All of which can be fixed by the aftermarket. All of the E's and F's are with the slat wings only. Tamiya, Makes thee basic kits. An F-C/D kit, 3 versions of the F-4J kit, and two versions of the F-4E with the hard wing USAF and F-4EJ Japanese version those offerings. F-4B: All of the J kits can be back dated into any B/N version, or moved forward into and S. Conversion kits are available from the aftermarket to build any era B/N or the S. The big changes for the B?N are the cockpit, thin wing, wheels, Engines, Tail fin caps and Chine pods. With the changes over the long life of the B/N's you can find just about any combination of fin caps, ECM nodes, and chine pods and lots of decals. Cutting edge and CAM are old sets made 10-20 years ago if you can find them. Our GT Resin set is complete with the cockpit, engines, and averting you need to build an airframe you choose. F-4S: Requires some changes but not as involved. The main changes to the "S" are exterior on nature. They have slatted wings, a belly strap and strengthening plates, relocated AC vents for the new radar, and two new antennas. These were built to operate off of the Midway class carriers as the F-14 was too heavy to operate of of those ships and the F/A-18 was not ready yet. GT Resin offers a complete set with all of the changes including the wings, straps, plates, and antennas. Wingman models offers a basic set that contains the Slatted outer wings and new antennas. Aires offers a cockpit that can be used as a J or an S build. Hope this helps, Gary

Ditto on the above comment. Seeing these in the flesh is impressive!!

WnW like to do the various sub-types of WW I Aircraft, and I bet they will continue it. My guess would be a B-17 as you have many prewar sub types, WWII war subtypes and then the differences within those sub types. The were used by many countries for far more than just bombing, and being the issues with HK and how well those kits have sold even with the errors, a B-17 would be my guess. The B-24 crowd can make the same arguments about their favorite as the B-17 fans can. it would be my second choice and the B-29 third.

Yes, Please do so. Jake MeLampy will at the GT Resin tables with his books and decals for the convention. We have a great location between Zoukei Mura and Wing nut Wings, so I look forward to seeing all of the LSP gang int person. I am arriving on Tuesday and be ready to go when the vendor room opens on Wednesday. I do have a ticket for the Space center Tour on Thursday available. IF you need one or know of someone who does, have them get in touch with me. I have been to Hunstville twice and would love to go again, but will just be too busy to go this time. THX Gary

Yes to what Jake added for markings. Now on to kit talk! IN the 1/32 Tamiya f-15 world we have 4 kits to deal with: F-15E original kit - pretty well match the F-15E early on and great base for later models. Other than the weapons, Sprue trees F, G, and J are the two seat parts trees F-15C original kit is really a single seat E model. All of the parts are the same except for Sprue trees F, G, and J which are for a single seat mode along with a lower hull w/out CFT's. This is why when many of us build a C that there is so much that needs to be changed for accuracies sake to make it closer to a true C. IN the real world the F-15E was an entirely Different airframe than the single seat versions. F-15E Bunker Buster is a new release of the earlier E kit with newer weapons and additional drop tanks that are closer to the correct shape than the one in the early release. F-15J is MSIP version of the C kit with a MSIP instrument panel and no ALQ-128 on the left fin balancer location. Add JASDF decal sheet an you have the differences for the J. So, if you get the F,G,J sprue out of the E kit along with the lower hull you can build a B/D. Nothing else is needed. IF you want to save your E kit I have the Sprues and Hull you need, just drop me a PM. I cannot wait to see what the F-15X is when they get made next year. On and F-16 note, Looking forward to a Visit to the new LM factory in Greenville, SC that is now making all of the remaining F-16's. Looks like 3 years is already booked for new jet production. Who would have thought that these two aircraft would be in production some 40-50 years!

Do you need my address???

YEs, send me all of your Flight path sets...happy to take them. No, the only drawback is the FP sets have the peddles the same length as the Tamiya plastic ones that are 3/16" too long from the bend to the end. As for the incorrect issues with the KA sets, they are in the burner tube, flame holder, and the very back of the nozzle. What was missed it the taper into he burner tube and the resulting diameter of the tube being too small. Tamiya got the taper correct on their 1/32 F-16 T-bird kit which has a PW Exhaust. the tube also needs to fit into the back of the nozzle 6mm to take the enlarged burner tube. The smaller burner tube also gives you a rear fan and flame holder that are too small in diameter, at too flat in their detail. Also, pw 220 and 229 flame holders are completely different.

Guys, these are the best and you do pay for the best. Definitely cannot be done in resin as these set have all of the pushrods in place. I see couple of issues with the burner tube and the flame holders but all in all top shelf stuff, and you all know how I feel about F-15’s. Six days to Chattanooga and counting down!!!!! Gary

The "S" has more bracing than just the belly strap, and the strap has some very large fasteners as attachments. The GT Resin F-4S set contains the strap, slates, Slatted outer wings, Retracted inner wing slats, and various sensors, and everything you need to convert the "J" into an "S". Here is a link showing what all you get. http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/gtr32058.htm let me know if you have any question.

Thx everyone, glad to finally get it done. Belated congrats on getting married. Best thing I ever did and we wish the same for you and your bride.

OK, so to get an accurate Lancaster we must buy both the HK and Wnw kits, cut them up so as to use the flat were we think it should be flat and the bulging metal where that should be. Think of all of the discussion to be had about who does it the best and has created the most accurate Lancaster.......it would never end??????? Food for thought........ Enjoying every minute of this one for sure!

Will miss seeing you too. Enjoy the wedding!

Hey Mike, Yes, and two others. Looking forward to seeing everyone this year.

Thanks everyone for the kind comments, and for not busting my chops over the braided Ejection hoop being out of place and not inserted into the red socket on the right side of the pilots seat. IT has since been fixed. Now I just need to get a good camera!

Tuesday thru Sunday AM

Look at pictures of the airframe you are modeling. In reality both are used... they get replaced often, so your choice.

No, but you must pay an admission charge.

I have two tables and they put me right across form the Zoukei Mura booth. Everyone is welcome to hang out as I will be there all week. Looking forward to seeing everyone as this will be a NATS to Remember!!! Gary

Her is the results of my research a few years back: Parts R us wheels are resin copies of the Revell F-15 kit wheel. The are to small in diameter and to narrow. RES-IM wheels are for a C/D. A/B wheels are different. Tires markings are to large and not accurate for the actual tires used. NorthStar F-15E wheel are much to large in profile and diameter and the wheel lightening holes are the wrong size. F-15 E's use two styles of wheels, one with small and one will large holes. GT Resin wheels are made from CAD drawings based on input from the manufacturers drawings and the actual wheels and tires. Both Michelin "Aviator" tires and Goodyear tires are available. Wheels, brakes, and tires are separate for ease of assembly and painting. You can also drill a hole in the brake drum and id a screw to attached them to the main gear just like the kit gear. They are a little more expensive, but the look is worth it even is I am a little biased. Chuck Sawyer used the GT Resin set on his F-15C build a year or so back. Several others have used them on their builds. the oval holes I the Wheels are designed to be easily removed so you get the realistic look of the brake drum behind it. Pics are courtesy of Chuck Sawyer form his build thread. Hope this helps.

More Pics:

I finished this a couple of months ago and finally got motivated to find a new photo hosting service. F-4G Wild Weasel - Details Base kit is Tamiya F-4EJ with extensive scratch building to convert to an F-4G Wild Weasel. This model served as the basis for the GT Resin F-4G Wild Weasel Super Set available at Sprue Brothers. The model took many hundreds of hours to complete over a six year period. The markings represent an aircraft that took part in Operation Desert shied, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Southern Watch. These aircraft were maintained I pristine condition, even in an extreme desert environment. The biggest component was the fading of the paint. The aircraft represent the condition it was in as it returned to Nellis Air Force Base at the end of OSW. Displayed are the 8 confirmed SAM Radar kills and the Wild Weasel mascot on the left splitter plate. Stencil markings were very basic. I chose to build the model with the Slats and flaps extended to develop those products for possible future release and as something different to display. Scratch Built parts of Build: · GT Resin Entire Cockpit including Accurate WSO radar officer panel and controls and accurate pilot office changes of the Geasels. · GT R esin Mk 7 USAF Seats w/Eduard seat belts · Air Scale Instrument and Placard decals · Air Scale PE instrument faces · PE Detailed canopy frames with Air Scale decals · GT Resin Chin pod with Scratch PE WW antennas · GT Resin Slatted outer wings · GT Resin Extended inner wing slats · GT Resin Dropped flaps with fuselage details · GT Resin Belly strap · Eduard Brassin Wheels and tires · Additional Landing gear details · GT Resin TACAN, UHF, antennas on fuselage top. UHF is at an angle per the actual airframe, it is not crooked. · GT Resin Wild Weasel fin cap · GT Resin Wild Weasel Small antennas on each side of nose and fin · Brass tubing for Rear drain and Parachute door “T” handle · GT Resin LAU-118 Launch rails · GT Resin AGM-88 HARM B Missiles · GT Resin AIM-7M Sparrow Missiles · GT Resin ALQ-184 ECM pod with Sparrow well mount · Master Model Pitots and AOA probe · Eduard F-4E exterior PE set · GT Resin seamless intakes and fan faces · GT Resin Exhausts · GT Resin Correct fuel tank vents over engine nozzles · GT Resin F-15 Style Center Line Drop tank with Anti-sway bracing · All stores have threaded metal anti-sway braces installed · Speed Hunter decals · Mr. Color Finishes · Model Master Finishes · Tamiya detail chalks · Various oils

Here is the link Scott. https://scmegashow.com/ IT was a huge event last year. I was unsure if I would vend after my Surgery, so I did not get any tables. I contacted after the surgery as it went very well and they were sold out of vendor table......all 65 of them. This is a huge contest as well because it is a combined AMPS and IPMS event. They contests are run separately but with all of the models are on the tables together. Just lots of really great work. I am bringing my F-4G and the F-16CJ if I get thane done in time. Back to F-16 two seaters. It looks like I will be able to get the AFV canopies, so that solves that problem. Start saving your money everyone, as due to the difficulty of making these and the extensive work involved I am only going to make one run of these. If they sell well and I can get a supply of the canopies, I may make more. These will be a direct sale item so I can keep the price down like the old days.

Hi Scott, Are you coming to the big contest in Columbia on June 22? I hope that is the case that many who want this set will also have purchased the Academy Kit and are able to use the extra. I am going to make a frame that will allow it to fit that canopy to fit the Tamiya forward fuselage. IT is really a good match right up until the front where the instrument cover is. IF you leave it open then it is never an issue as no one will tell. Trying to fire out if most who want the set will have a ACADemy canopy to use, as I don't wan to spend the money for VAC if no one will use them....just adds to the price. Then again some of us don't mind VAC canopies. Looking for input here as maybe offer the set with no canopy and have the VAC part as a separate option?

If you like, I can send you pics of my block52 build where I used the adjustment with an Aries wheel well. Mike is a busy guy working on real aircraft. This is just a hobby for him so he is not easy to get in touch with. My D conversion will be made to use the Academy canopy, or the AFV version. If I can get hold of the AFV canopy in quantity that is what will be included. Hoping too that many of those wanting the set will have an Extra Academy canopy from that kit to use. Casting in clear is a none starter in that size, and many don’t like the Vacformed ones.