Anthony in NZ

I couldnt find the GT ones in stock, hence getting these. I have never seen the GT ones, but these are really very very nice I am getting used to cutting up expensive bits of resin now, it dosent scare me so much

LOL yes mate I do as they are for all versions of Phantom (except British ones) No you need to use the kit splitters, but I highly recommend these ones from Real Model!

Wow, very nice! I could see a tailpipe piece for the Trumpeter Skyhawk looking really good done like that! Lovely

LOL, I know mate....that's the trouble with living on the other side of the planet!, DH89 still not here either Still, look on the bright side. I am still forging ahead on my Brit Phantom! I love your updates and she is already really looking the part, great work mate and great solutions. I am taking notes! Cheers Anthony

Well it's morning now! Thanks Chek, I appreciate you adding your valuable knowledge on the Spey Phantom, especially the intakes! I had a feeling there was a difference around here before I studied the area in detail. Your photo's are most helpful indeed. Once I graft this plastic back end on the WH resin and get a bit more surface detail underway , then I seriously need to work on the intake area and figure some solutions. You have confirmed a thought I had but tried not to think too hard about....the outlet vents being wider, but I was hoping not. Sheesh

Awwww, hence why my title hasn't changed yet. It's tough choosing a scheme when you only get one shot. I love the FG.1 with the EDSG too, but I think it might look stupid with the nose leg extended (which you really have to do, with such a unique feature for the carrier based version) and the canopy open and refueling probe out. Then I LOVE the overall grey weathered schemes with the coloured (particularly the black 74 'Tiger')fin's, but if I do that then I might as well do an F-4J(UK), but I dont think I will ever build another 32nd Phantom....on and on it goes. I felt XV571 with just

Another great update Kev....I cant see your dust...LOL I am paranoid now at what I am missing on my own photo's. Those 'tube thingys' are the pushrod tubes, I have a Gipsy Major sitting in my Garage dripping oil (which is good) that I was going to offer to take pics of for you, but you are correct, you have enough on your plate and I dont want to sidetrack you! What you have done will look perfect behind the nose cooling duct. Keep up the great work!

Well I wouldnt be so sure about the computer thing! But seeing your results I think it will be the way forward for my builds. Glad we are both pushing each other to forge on...that's what I love about LSP! Cheers Anthony

Thanks Al, I was a little surprised at how difficult I found this area to do. Looking back, Barry might have got this fix sorted easier than I have, and I just took the difficult way around t...as usual! LOL. But I am feeling really pleased at how the shapes look the more I stare it it. Other side is slowly getting there now. Once I have this sorted and rescribed I will dissect it and graft part of it into your spare coming, thanks again by the way! Thanks Ben, I think impressive is too kind compared to what you do! But I am enjoying it. Thanks mate, that means a lot!

Really enjoying this Max....that oil tank mod makes a big difference compared to your photos I am still waiting for mine...*sigh* but there is nowt much can be done about the postal system I guess. Keep up the great work, she is going to look stunning for sure!

My word, that is gorgeous! Beautifully built and a joy it was to follow along!

I have to say, this is a very unique and cool version of the Tiger...loving watching this Kev!

That has come out really nice, I should get one and try and start learning for my Brit Phantom. The results look really spot on Rick! I is hard beat the painted on look. Keep up the inspiration for me and such a great build Cheers Anthony

LOL, you never know mate....until the cockpit is done, there is nothing a bit of CA filler and a scriber couldnt do to turn it into an FGR.2 again. Although I do like the checkered fin of XV571. I should change my thread title sometime... Thanks for following along Andy, I would quite like to build a Camouflaged FGR.2 as well. Lets hope we get a kit in the not too distant future. Murphy's Law says you will when I finish this Cheers Anthony....off to add some CA on the tail piece before work!

Thanks for those words of wisdom buddy! Coming from a master patternmaker and scratchbuilder like you, that means a lot! Good to know I am not the only one who makes stuff up as he goes LOL. I am off to bed now, I have the other side all cut, shimmed and filled with CA, That can all cure whilst I sleep Thanks again Anthony

Getting there....this shape is surprisingly tricky. I am showing you guys this as I try and figure it out as I go. Allowing you to see how rough it is under the primer. More refining to go and then the other side and replace surface details. Half of this will be removed and grafted into the piece AlbertD has sent me. Cheers guys Anthony

Unexpected alright, I didnt see that shape change coming either LOL I have spent waaaaaaay too many hours just on this corner of the heat shield area. So after bulging this area out with plastic card I have been slowly building up the shape with CA. I have stared at so many Phantom back-end photos, I am seeing them in my dreams now! I wont know if I have it right until I get some Mr Surfacer on there and see if I can get a 'true feel' on the shape...hopefully before I go to bed tonight. Phew!

A pleasure as always Chuck, so much inspiration and great solid ideas on building this kit...thank you! All the best with surgery and as Al says, dont overdo it! Cheers Anthony

Now that's what we're talkin about! That looks brilliant Kev, more so because it is so enlarged on our computer screens. Nice work

Aaaah, right you are...will do that right now!

43 Squadron(XV571)Derek, low Viz grey, large black and white checkered tail, but with the spine ones overpainted. I have decided to do her right before she got another paint touch up and the checkers on the fin replaced by 2 rows of black and white checkers. By then she was just starting to get a bit scruffy in the paint, but nothing too bad, a few repaint touch ups, staining etc.... Just before I went to bed last night I had an idea! See below... Now, I dont know if this will work but I have a spare part coming from Albert D and so all wont be lost. Having his part

That is a Really really nice paintjob! Nice tonal differences and finish. The intake joins looks spot on too...well done, I love it!

Well, from here Kev, it looks pretty darn good. You are your own worst critic.... Keep up the great work

The beginning of the end.....(back end LOL) Seems to be fit issues in this area on other peopled builds, I see what it is and can address it. A spacer in the back to line the lower piece up with the upper piece should do it. This is just sitting here, nothing glued

Yes, so true Albert.....and thanks for the compliment on my riveting! It is tedious work, but I think will be worth it in the end with weathering etc...