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Best kit for F-4G


typhoon nick

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Hi!

The Revell parts use is probably the best approach. Unfortunately, the Revellogram F-4E is as well OOP! The only Revell Phantom currently available is an F-4F (this also means no slotted stabs, no USAF IPs and no corrected fin tip)

 

This means that if you cannot find the OOP sets the only solution is:

 

- a Tamiya F-4E (or EJ) Phantom for the basic airframe with the slotted stabs

- a F-4F Phantom for the correctly sized exhausts, High-G fuel tank, AIM-9L missiles and slat wings.

- the abovementioned Flightpath resin chin part

- Air doc decals

- Scratch the new fin tip and small antennae, the more recent pilot instruments (Tamiya is an D-like early E) and the specific Wild Weasel GIB IP...

- You're also on your own for the weapons but fortunately the AGM-88 is available in many other kits (Viper, Hornet, etc.)

 

Another useful info: the so-called CAM F-4S conversion set is in fact a USAF slat-wing set! This means that this is another possible solution if you do not want to cross-kit the Revell and Tamiya kits...

 

Whatever may be your choice, you'll also have to engrave correct panel lines on the wing outboard parts...

 

HTH

 

Sounds like a conversion kit waiting to happen to me Thierry?... :)

 

Derek

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Sounds like a conversion kit waiting to happen to me Thierry?... :)

 

Derek

 

 

Mmmmh :hmmm: ..I'd say yes BUT...!

 

Yes as indeed there is currently no easily available solution on the market!

 

BUT

 

- there are not a lot of people willing to purchase a complex conversion set for an expensive kit (even if I agree this would be cheaper than the FGR ;-)

- some of the possible customers have already built such a G conversion

- some Cutting Edge and CAM OOP sets are available here and there on ebay...

 

HENCE, it may be risky... I'd say that if you intend to release first a set for a late Echo (with slat wings) based on the Tamiya F-4E, making the additional parts to release a G makes sense as the effort is limited to some antenna and cockpit panels...

 

Thierry

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Mmmmh :) ..I'd say yes BUT...!

 

Yes as indeed there is currently no easily available solution on the market!

 

BUT

 

- there are not a lot of people willing to purchase a complex conversion set for an expensive kit (even if I agree this would be cheaper than the FGR ;-)

- some of the possible customers have already built such a G conversion

- some Cutting Edge and CAM OOP sets are available here and there on ebay...

 

HENCE, it may be risky... I'd say that if you intend to release first a set for a late Echo (with slat wings) based on the Tamiya F-4E, making the additional parts to release a G makes sense as the effort is limited to some antenna and cockpit panels...

 

Thierry

 

Sound advice as always Thierry - Thanks.

 

Derek

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I'll see what I can dig up in my stash, can't make any promises! I may have another chin and rudder antenas. I do know I have several HS tanks from all the Revell kits I've stole from. It's not a hard conversion, compared to some of the stuff you see. The wings will most likely be the hardest thing to find! The CE set was designed to have the slats deployed and they are a tuff set to get all lined up. My sujestion is to find what you can for the wings but do as I did and leave them stowed! The wing hidge farings from the Revell kit work great and scribe the top slatt. If it's a part for a Phantom then I'm sure I should have at least one!

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Some great info there guys, looks like its going to take abit of research and obtaning the correct parts. I think my first port of call will be getting a Revell F-4E and the SAM publication on the USAF F-4's, I think i'm defo going to have ago at this, I'm a RAF Spey engined fan at heart but the F-4G is a close second at it seems like an easyier conversion than the FGR2 !

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I put off my FGR convert to finish up some other builds, but plan on getting right back to it as soon as I can. While you looking for stuff for your F-4G try to find someone with the F-4J Marine kit for the outer pylons, if you pan on hanging anything out there besides a tank! I can help you with a HS center tank if you want to contact me off board. The Daco book has some good reference for the QF I can scan off for you. The Harms from the Acad, F-18 kit are good! I can dig up a couple. I also have the decals left over from AirDoc. Someday one of us are going to have to take the plunge and make a good, and available conversion sets for the Phantom. Let me know if I can help. Take care

 

 

 

 

Some great info there guys, looks like its going to take abit of research and obtaning the correct parts. I think my first port of call will be getting a Revell F-4E and the SAM publication on the USAF F-4's, I think i'm defo going to have ago at this, I'm a RAF Spey engined fan at heart but the F-4G is a close second at it seems like an easyier conversion than the FGR2 !
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I put off my FGR convert to finish up some other builds, but plan on getting right back to it as soon as I can. While you looking for stuff for your F-4G try to find someone with the F-4J Marine kit for the outer pylons, if you pan on hanging anything out there besides a tank! I can help you with a HS center tank if you want to contact me off board. The Daco book has some good reference for the QF I can scan off for you. The Harms from the Acad, F-18 kit are good! I can dig up a couple. I also have the decals left over from AirDoc. Someday one of us are going to have to take the plunge and make a good, and available conversion sets for the Phantom. Let me know if I can help. Take care

 

 

Well Paul, I definately intend to make some AM resin parts for Phantoms, but whether or not that extends to the F-4G is yet to be seen?

 

Derek

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I know what you mean, way too many projects!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well Paul, I definately intend to make some AM resin parts for Phantoms, but whether or not that extends to the F-4G is yet to be seen?

 

Derek

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Well Paul, I definately intend to make some AM resin parts for Phantoms, but whether or not that extends to the F-4G is yet to be seen?

 

Derek

 

 

Derek

 

Speaking for myself, I would buy anything you do for Phantom, regardless whether I have similar stuff from other producer. There is never enough Phantom stuff.

 

Best

 

 

Jozef

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Derek

 

Speaking for myself, I would buy anything you do for Phantom, regardless whether I have similar stuff from other producer. There is never enough Phantom stuff.

 

Best

Jozef

 

Stay tuned jozef...I'll let everyone know when I have finalised exactly what I shall be producing :speak_cool:

 

Cheers

 

Derek

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Some great info there guys, looks like its going to take abit of research and obtaning the correct parts. I think my first port of call will be getting a Revell F-4E and the SAM publication on the USAF F-4's, I think i'm defo going to have ago at this, I'm a RAF Spey engined fan at heart but the F-4G is a close second at it seems like an easyier conversion than the FGR2 !

Don't bother with the SAM publications USAF F-4 Datafile, it won't be much use to you I would recomend these

 

"The Modern Phantom Guide" by Jake Melampy, Reid Air Publications, ISBN 978-0-9795064-5-1 absolutely excellent

 

"F-4 Phantom II part 2" by Bert Kinzey, Detail and Scale publications UK ISBN 1-85368-525-8 (US ISBN 0-8306-5017-8)

 

"F-4E Phantom II Walk Around" by Larry Davis Squadron Signal Publications, ISBN 0-89747-511-9. This also includes the F-4G although you wouldn't think so from the title.

 

I have all of these aswell as the Datafile which is at best next to useless.

 

The ISBN Nos are quoted from the back of the books is my stash. Not sure if "The Modern Phantom Guide" by Jake Melampy, Reid Air Publications is available here in the UK. I obtained mine direct from Reid Air Publications web site.

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Don't bother with the SAM publications USAF F-4 Datafile, it won't be much use to you I would recomend these

 

"The Modern Phantom Guide" by Jake Melampy, Reid Air Publications, ISBN 978-0-9795064-5-1 absolutely excellent

 

"F-4 Phantom II part 2" by Bert Kinzey, Detail and Scale publications UK ISBN 1-85368-525-8 (US ISBN 0-8306-5017-8)

 

"F-4E Phantom II Walk Around" by Larry Davis Squadron Signal Publications, ISBN 0-89747-511-9. This also includes the F-4G although you wouldn't think so from the title.

 

I have all of these aswell as the Datafile which is at best next to useless.

 

The ISBN Nos are quoted from the back of the books is my stash. Not sure if "The Modern Phantom Guide" by Jake Melampy, Reid Air Publications is available here in the UK. I obtained mine direct from Reid Air Publications web site.

 

Once again Dave, thank you for the reference heads up. The first title, I have, the other two I shall now need to get - Thank you.

 

Derek

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One extra book I'd recommend for those intrested in Wild Weasel Aircraft is

 

"Wild Weasles - the USAFs Elite Radar killers" from Osprey

 

Lots and lots of detailed shots fo the G , as well as the F-105E/G and the EF-4C

 

Dammed book has cost me a fortune over the yeasr!

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FYI, all Reid Air books are also available in the UK from the www.aviationbookcentre.com.

 

Regarding F-4E books, it depends on what you're looking for.

 

Besides the ones mentioned by Dave, there are other possibilities, such as:

 

- the still very good Verlinden Lock-on walkaround dedicated to ANG F-4E (http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/biblio/series/lock_on/LO8.jpg)

- the Periscopio book which has terrific walkaround pics (focus on Greek airplanes: http://www.hyperscale.com/2009/reviews/boo...reviewab_1.htm)

- the Greyhound book has also excellent pictures and plans by Willy Peeters is also highly recommended (http://www.hyperscale.com/2008/reviews/books/greyhoundf4bookreviewrk_1.htm)

- the Aerofax F-4E booklet is also interesting for a more technical approach (http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/biblio/series/aerofax1/minigraph20.jpg)

- one of the the Koku Fan Illustrated issues has detailed plans of all versions including the long nose ones (I shall check in my library which one). I shall check but believe they've been republished in the FAOW n°86 (http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/biblio/series/faow2/faow2.htm) dedicated to USAF birds.

- the Warbirds Tech (http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/biblio/series/warbird_tech/093342471Xy.jpg) has good extracts from TM, a split of all production blocks and more pictures of the Korat birds than any other general reference (except possibly in the 388th TFW book from Don Logan which has excellent color pics but WITHOUT the nose arts!: http://www.schifferbooks.com/newschiffer/b...sbn=0887407986).

- If you're rather looking for general pics of ANG birds, the ANG book from Don Logan is excellent (http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/books/angf4.htm) Too bad the same job was not done for front line units...

 

If you just want to buy ONE phantom book, I'd recommend "Spirit in the skies" (http://www.amazon.com/McDonnell-F-4-Phantom-Spirit-Skies/dp/1880588315) as the best all-around reference (with the "Phantom story": http://www.amazon.com/Phantom-Story-Anthon.../dp/030435712X). Moreover, they're full of pictures and technical info regarding systems, weapons and so on even if the second one has only B&W pics.

 

Finally, there are also excellent books dedicated to the IAF F-4E (the most recent ones: http://www.isradecal.com/?storeid=110&...cts&id=3956 or http://www.modelingmadness.com/scotts/book...eugly/uf4c2.htm and http://www.modelingmadness.com/scotts/book...ugly/uf4c1.htm) or the Japanese F-4EJ (the most recent one: http://www.ipmsusa2.org/reviews/Books/Airc...t_jasdf-f4.htm) which have many interesting pictures or sketches that are relevant for USAF versions as well.

 

I'm probably forgetting some but indeed that SAM datafile is far from being a terrific reference (unfortunately...)

 

HTH

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