1/32 Revell RF-4C 14th TRS

[ScottsGT]

[SapperSix]

That's freaking awesome!!

[ScottsGT]

Thanks!  All are built from the old Revell N kit.  Had to make a few mods (larger horizontal stabs) and used Tamiya decals.  

Built them all at work during my lunch break over a 9-12 month period.  

[SapperSix]

I have been doing a lot of work on the Camera's.  I found some other build threads and online photo's to reference.  The more I learned the more I realized I needed all kinds of stock plastic rod and such.  Order for said items placed but I am going with the current plan as I wont be exposing the camera bay.  The most detailed camera will be the forward camera as it will be most visible based of some test fittings.  Should I find otherwise I will adjust. 

 

I used an eclectic set of items to make the camera rings as I had no other options at this point.  The camera rings are combination of a cut up 1/35th 75mm German cannon, old plastic piper for the inner ring and a small bead for the inner lens and electrical hook ups.  I will be running rudimentary electrical lines from the cameras up in to the camera bay.  I am using copper wire as seen in the picture below.  I am still experimenting with lenses.  What you see now are a mix of actual plastic lenses from other kits and Micro Kristal Clear.  Micro is looking to be the early winner and all camera lenses will probably be switched over.  The film reel supports are cut up photoetched brass from other kits.  I will have to go back and hit some seams.

 

Cockpit parts ready to be primered. 

 

The 600 gallon tank is waiting to be sanded.  Everything else is filled sanded and ready for primer.

 

Ailerons cut out of the main wing to be slightly lowered as the Phantom will be parked.  Flap and wing ends filled and sanded with finishing touches on the way.

 

Auxiliary air intakes cut out, with some minor adjustments.  

 

And getting ready to scribe the Photo-flash dispenser lines and doors.

 

I have caught the modification bug.  I have bought riveters, plastic stock cutters, plastic stock, etc.  I am beginning to believe I can make many of the things I want in a model.  If it all works out I will see about adding the radar to this kit and will proceed as such.

Edited November 15, 2018 by SapperSix

[SapperSix]

Soooooooooo much prep work.  I have never had the opportunity nor the wherewithal to apply this kind of attention to a model.  I am really excited about the potential of this model.  Since I have come to this site I have leaped in all aspects of modeling due to all the excellent builders here.. 

 

More fuselage adjustments to make room for resin aftermarket items.

 

Resin exhaust prepped, test fitted and researched.  I have a ton of Alclad and for the exhaust sections of this aircraft.  I have been doing a ton research on the exhaust itself and the application of Alclad.  I will do some test shots on my test airbrush plane.  I will really have to focus on the hues, hell everything actually.....

 

The ALQ-71 Short (after I put in the missing antenna's) and ALQ-101are ready for primer.  I haven't heard back from the pilot of this aircraft to determine which nose he used on the short.  So I will prep both.

 

All the extra resin that hasn't already been prepped is now ready.

Edited December 23, 2018 by SapperSix

[SapperSix]

Well it was an adventure this weekend to say the least.  I certainly hope anyone that was celebrating Thanksgiving had a grand time.  

 

All the parts that had been prepped are now primed with Mr Surfacer 1200.  I live in Alaska and don't really have an indoor spray booth.  That's not going to happen in the current residence as we are getting ready to install flooring and get the house on the market in preparation for a move early next year.  I had to spray in my heated garage while providing adequate ventilation.  It was a balance and as I was able to use the indoor heaters, fans and a lucky first time mix ratio to get a great primer coating on all the resin and some fuel tanks.  You may notice that an exhaust jet to my J79 is missing in this picture......there was a mystery menace about the house....

 

A couple days past after the garage priming episode and I noticed  when I checked on how things had dried that I was missing an exhaust jet.  I knew it was in my possession after I had ran it in some warm water to get the dust from cutting and any oil off.  I placed it on a drying board with many other parts.  Turns out a day after I though it lost my daughter comes down stairs saying the dog had been chewing on something she didn't recognize.  Here it is prior to any repair work.  Luckly it will be buried deep in the plane and will not be a burden on the eye...

 

I fixed the tail intake at the base of the vertical stabilizer as I had noticed in other builds this was corrected.  I was able to confirm in subsequent research that it needed altering.  So the original rendition was removed and I put in a extra piece of photo-etched.  Unfortunately, this alteration was a little short and will have to be replaced.

 

I started working on the rear cockpit and had to make some changes overall.  This is part of the GT Resin cockpit with the instrumentation on either end removed and replaced with the Eduard instrumentation. Everything in between is "stock"  and is still under construction. 

 

This is also part of the GT Resin Cockpit, rear upper instrumentation panel.  There is no Eduard at all. The instrumentation is Airscale decals, placards custom made.  The problem came when I realized that while I had many of the right instrumentation decals, they were not the right size.  I tried making some on my computer but had many issues.  Given some time, I will be able to work it out.  I spent much time trying to make things fit, or trim down micro decals.  I won a few and lost a few.  My research and parts lined up to allowed me to do the instrumentation in the right order and placement for a RF-4C in this case. That will end here, as things will have to be adjusted as I move forward.  It will be close, but not exact.

 

Here are all the instrument panels that I worked on over the last two days.  Placed to give an overall look at where it is all headed.  By in large, I am pleased but also know I have lots of work to do. 

 

 

 

 

Lesson learned....I will have to dig deeper as I didn't perform enough research, purchase books and so on to get the full picture of the possibilities.  That is, if my goal is exact replication....I have a vast learning curve in tools, techniques, capabilities and information sources. 

Edited December 23, 2018 by SapperSix

[SapperSix]

These came in today and they are absolutely top quality!!   Thank you https://aerocraftmodels.bigcartel.com/

 

 

 

[John1]

Awesome looking cockpit!   

[MGySgt0372]

17 hours ago, SapperSix said:

These came in today and they are absolutely top quality!!   Thank you https://aerocraftmodels.bigcartel.com/

 

 

 

I don't have this set & I don't know what every piece comes with it, but if that's the only side nlg door, then it's not correct for an RF-4. It would be correct correct for an F-4E/F & other foreign air force's nomenclature for their version of gun nose Phantom II. Is that the only side nlg door that comes with the set? I probably missed something so I would presume you know more about the set than I do, obviously. Ourfreakin'stading start for a build of such a beautiful legend of an aircraft! Keep chipping away at it. We can't wait to see it complete! 

 

Semper Fi,

Masterguns

[aircommando130]

That is really looking good! Gonna have to get some of those Airscale instruments! Break, break....the Thunderbirds F-16 display is awesome! Such an easy display but the visual effect is just Awesome!!!

 

Cheers...Ron

[SapperSix]

On 11/29/2018 at 2:16 PM, MGySgt0372 said:

I don't have this set & I don't know what every piece comes with it, but if that's the only side nlg door, then it's not correct for an RF-4. It would be correct correct for an F-4E/F & other foreign air force's nomenclature for their version of gun nose Phantom II. Is that the only side nlg door that comes with the set? I probably missed something so I would presume you know more about the set than I do, obviously. Ourfreakin'stading start for a build of such a beautiful legend of an aircraft! Keep chipping away at it. We can't wait to see it complete! 

 

Semper Fi,

Masterguns

 

You are tracking Masterguns, I am using the nose for my Revell F-4E, and I need to buy another set of legs....Man they are nice.

 

Thank you for the kind words.  I am excited about this model.  Believe me when I say I am a pure armature on this stuff and am learning with every step.

[SapperSix]

On 11/29/2018 at 4:57 PM, aircommando130 said:

That is really looking good! Gonna have to get some of those Airscale instruments! Break, break....the Thunderbirds F-16 display is awesome! Such an easy display but the visual effect is just Awesome!!!

 

Cheers...Ron

 

Ron,

 

Worth every penny in my humble opinion.  Having said that, I need more that are not offered.  I will be working that out.  I will need that for future builds.   Thank you for looking and appreciating my build.

 

Frank

[SapperSix]

On 11/29/2018 at 11:24 AM, John1 said:

Awesome looking cockpit!   

Thank you, lots of work done.  Much, much more to do. 

[aircommando130]

Hope you survived the earthquake ok. It really tore Anchorage up.

 

Ron

[SapperSix]

9 hours ago, aircommando130 said:

Hope you survived the earthquake ok. It really tore Anchorage up.

 

Ron

Ron,

I got lucky and have been able to recover from very minor earthquake related issues.  If the aftershocks could ease up a bit, it would sure help my family feel a little more at ease.  Thank you for your concern.  

 

-Frank

Edited December 2, 2018 by SapperSix