It’s Blue, oh no it’s BLUE!

[Stevepd]

Hi folks, I finished this yesterday having started it just after Telford last year. I wanted to build a model of the F-4J that the RAF received in the 80’s as it’s a conversation subject all day long. I’ve done more research than is probably healthy and picked up a kit at last years SMW show knowing full well what it was going to be. I managed to bag a set of decals from the States and at last years Salisbury show I picked up the F-4J(UK) Aeroguide book, which for an old publication has been invaluable. Anyway the kit has had much written about it, so I won’t duplicate what’s known but it’s a first for me; the Tamiya kit that is. Prior to building whilst researching I knew I wanted the centre line tank with a ballast sparrow and aquisition round. I wanted to be different from the other blue builds so I found a 3D parachute on the internet, so ordered one. Again research showed that the crew could and some did put the pins in the seats on the taxi back to the line. So I wanted to depict a cab taxiing back with everything cleaned up and the rear crewman putting his pins in. Refuelling probe extended for checks after shut down. It ties in quite nicely that I found back in the day that 74 Sqn did indeed mount a challenge to fly 74 sorties in one day, trying to out do 56 Sqns efforts some time earlier. They did succeed. So this is my take on a cab going back to the line for a quick turn around to be available to go again. Reading Tug Wilson’s book they did the same at Akrotiri with parachute still attached for the same reason. 
 

Any comments or if you see if blatantly missed something speak up.

               

Thanks for looking.

 

Steve.

[Anthony in NZ]

That’s beautiful, I honestly can’t fault anything about it! 
Perfectly built and just the right amount of weathering and finish….gorgeous!

 

cheers Anthony 

[Stevepd]

1 hour ago, Anthony in NZ said:

That’s beautiful, I honestly can’t fault anything about it! 
Perfectly built and just the right amount of weathering and finish….gorgeous!

 

cheers Anthony 

Thanks mate, coming from the F4 master modeller I'll take it.

[Out2gtcha]

Most excellent! 

[Pete Fleischmann]

Looks great! Very cool scheme- love it.

 

One minor point- Taxiway centerlines are typically solid. If I hadn’t read your description, I’d assume the jet was still on the runway 

 

Pete

 

 

 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Pete Fleischmann

[Stevepd]

Thanks Peter. I got the idea from this - 8 lines down and 1st photo.

 

 

https://bpag.co.uk/gallery/ze360-in-service/

[aircommando130]

F-4J (UK) is very cool. It looks the part of Phantoms off the runway

still with the drag chute and canopies up. Was the drag chute hard to 

get the suspension lines from the canopy to the clevis on the main line

from the fuselage? My ultimate F-4 diorama is 4 F-4E in the arm/de-arm

area at Korat AB, Thailand getting the pins pulled and ready to head to the 

tanker before going "North".

Great job...Anything Phantom is always cool!

 

Cheers...Ron

[Stokey Pete]

Brilliant work, and a rare find to acquire the decals for it. 
I love that parachute. Brings a whole new level to the display. 

[Pete Fleischmann]

1 hour ago, Stevepd said:

Thanks Peter. I got the idea from this - 8 lines down and 1st photo.

 

 

https://bpag.co.uk/gallery/ze360-in-service/

ah ha!

see? You just taught me something-

I’d never seen dashed taxi lines-

great pic!

 

cheers

P