Avenger2614

Kevin, May I ask where you found one? I'd like to get my hands on one, too. Thanks! -Daniel

Yes, Alley Cat Resin made a conversion at one time, and it looks like they may still be available on their website (below). It was made specifically for the Eduard 109 to make a D-model, but most of the parts could be probably be tailored to modify the CyberHobby 109E (which is certainly a superior kit, and often doesn't get the praise it deserves). Best of luck, the Swiss 109 sure looks great! https://www.alleycatmodels.co.uk/alleycat-aircraft-sets-132-scale-325-c.asp

I'm beginning to wonder if this will be entirely new-tool, or just conversion parts for existing Revell parts...

How on earth am I the first person to post this? I saw on Facebook, in the "Phantom Phreaks" page, a user posted sprue shots from a new manufacturer called "Red Pills Models" who are releasing a new-tool F-4B, which is apparently the long-rumored cooperation project with SprueBrothers. The poster's name is Ed Okun, so if he's a member here, perhaps he can post the sprue shots here as well. I will attempt to upload them myself so we can all have a gander and begin the speculation. Hopefully this is the real deal! If these sprue shots are real, the initial detail looks good, but I would say it lands somewhere between Tamiya and Revell. Let the games begin! **EDIT** Photos added below. -Daniel S. Arvada, CO

From looking at the sprue layouts, it appears they kept the same issue present on their B-25 series, specifically the four sets of pushrods when there should only be two (front of the engine assembly visible through the cowling, and rear of the engine assembly visible through the cowl flaps). The B-25 kit had a set of pushrods on both sides of each bank of cylinders, but the solution was as simple as cutting the rods off the center ring and installing only the ring to have the correct engine spacing. Not the end of the world, but apparently a correction that didn't occur. Won't know for sure until we see instructions, but the sprue layouts suggest this is the case.

These only came out because I finished my RF-4C with the garbage GT Resin seats! Those are seriously nice...

You're not wrong, but they can be found from time to time. I snagged three of them within the last year without too much trouble. They're out there, but sadly not in production. Avionix stuff was really quite nice.

I can tell you from experience that the Avionix resin cockpit for the Hasegawa P-40 will fit into the Trumpeter kit with very little difficulty, and only slight modifications (I've done it twice now, one for an F and another for an L). Feel free to PM me and I can give you some pointers and photos of my builds. Add in a new prop, some resin wheels, and suddenly you have a very respectable P-40 on your shelf. Are they as accurate as the Hasegawa kit? No, but they sure build easier. HTH. -Daniel S. Arvada, CO

If you go on the Hannant's website, ICM lists a future release in which they box both the Stearman and Tiger Moth as an "English Patient" boxing.

Did you use the red nose art, too? Because if you did, apparently we're both wrong, as it was blue on the real Mccoy.

Thanks guys! Seeing this one completed (even though I finished it in 2020) makes me want to pick up another one and build it in natural metal. I have some sweet Kagero decals that would do the trick, too. . .Now, where did I plant that money tree?

Definitely not easy, and I've still not quite learned how to shoot them without some issue. I'm using an Iwata Eclipse airbrush, and airbrushing in a room with an open-air filtration system for a 108-gallon saltwater fish tank, which I'm learning is a must to airbrush Model Air: humidity. I've never been able to shoot them straight out of the bottle like they advertise, but having the humidity inside the house definitely helps versus shooting outdoors in the dry Colorado air. I usually thin them 4:1 with Vallejo thinner, and even then they still clog the airbrush.

I didn't take any of the cockpit here before I sealed it up, but I will on my next build. It depicts a bird flying out of Wright-Patt in Dayton, Ohio.

Thanks Tom, have reached out there as well.

Folks, My brother and I have been asked to create a lobby centerpiece for the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, Ohio, featuring their B-17G "Champaign Lady" in 1/32. We will build a diorama inside a display case portraying their B-17G sitting on a hardstand in England being serviced by ground crewman. That being said, we're trying to find someone who has the ability to create the digital files so I can cut masks for the aircraft codes, serials, and unit markings on my Cricut, and someone who has the ability to create a decal for the nose art for this particular aircraft (which didn't actually exist in WWII). Are there any enterprising souls who would be willing to help with this project? You will be noted on the plaque displayed with the kit as a contributor to the project. Thanks in advance! -Daniel S. Arvada, CO

Is it possible to do schemes which would fit both kits (I.E. tail markings that are just codes and unit markings, and the end user paints the tails a certain color)? Just spit-balling here. There are lots of great schemes to choose from for the Tomcat, and I hope they sell well for you if you do produce them!

Great looking Intruder! How was the build? I have the A-6A and am curious if there are any things to absolutely watch out for? Thanks! - Daniel

In the for what it's worth department, the Revell RF-4C isn't a terrible build, but it sure as hell isn't Tamiya quality. I have one on the bench right now (doing one of the very early USAF examples which was originally slated for the Navy), and I feel like for every hour you spend gluing parts, you spend two hours filling and sanding seams. The inserts for the rear Sparrow wells were a real pain to blend in, but for the most part things go together well and fit "decently." If you take your time, test fit, and swap some parts here and there to update things, you can have a very respectable model on your shelf. But, as others have said, your real challenge will be finding markings for it, but if you have the ability to make your own decals or masks, you're in business.

For what it's worth, the two kits mentioned are identical, aside from decals. The Revell of Germany kit has more precise decals, including cockpit placards, that are not included in the Revell USA boxing. The RoG decals, however, are not glossy which turns some folks off. The plastic, however, is identical. Hope this helps.

PM sent.

I find myself glad I didn't jettison my Tamiya Phantoms!

And a 3-piece upgrade set, which has resin wheels for the Tamiya kit? At least the fin cap and photo-flash bays are nice, but in my opinion both sets should have been included in the boxing to justify that price tag. Swing and a miss, for me. I even have this kit on the bench right now, and it needs more help than they're providing.

That's a fine looking build, sir! Thank you for the inspiration. I think I'll likely do AIM-9Js on the fuselage stations, drop tanks inboard, TERs with three Mk.82s with slick tails on stations 3/4, and either single Mk.82s on 5/6 or empty. Might splurge and do blue training bombs, as well. Time will tell! I realized I'm still waiting for Zactomodels to open back up so I can purchase the corrected intake piece (for this and my F-100F Wild Weasel), and I need to get burner cans and slatted wingtips for the F-4E (sadly going the GT Resin route here).

Let's see if I can recall what we discussed after the forum reset: -The Soesterberg F-4Es flew only in an air-intercept mode, so likely loadout was only AIM-9Js and AIM-7Es, and perhaps an ALQ pod thrown in sometimes. -Only late-production F-4Es had the TISEO, as the above photo shows. Also of note are the squared-off strike cameras under the wing roots. -A suggestion was made for an A-7D loadout of six Mk.82s on the six pylons. -A suggestion was also made for an A-7D loadout of (hope I got this right) a TER with Mk.82s with ballute tails, a LANA pod, and a single drop tank. - Jennings shared a story of a friend of his who invented the ballute tail, and he had seen this male as recently as the 2018 IPMS Nationals.