Help
After letting my last build sit on the shelf for all of about 24 hours, it's time to start another project!
Whenever I start a kit, I need inspiration of some kind to get me into the build and, more importantly, keep me into the build. I had that for my last 4 projects, so modeling was always fun, even though it was very challenging at times and parts almost hit the wall.
I’ve settled on the 1/32 Tamiya F-4E Phantom. I’ve made this kit before into an F-4J, but I really enjoyed doing a camo paintjob on a recent Lancaster build, so doing a Vietnam era “SEA†(SE Asia) Phantom with shark teeth HAS to be the ticket- or so I hope!
For those who followed my last build of the 1/32 CF-18B, you can probably expect more of the same in this WIP thread, such as fairly detailed photographs of each major step, attention to small details of the aircraft, lots of mistakes, a few saves along the way and a LOOOOONG build, maybe a year. Salt weathering, of course, will be an important step near the end and I have a few new ideas I’d like to try on this project.
Unlike the CF-18B build, however, I can't imagine how I will replicate the same level of accuracy in details, because the F-4 variations are so numerous there's no way I can get everything "correct". I’ll be lucky to get real close. For my last project I was able to personally climb all over real F-18's and photograph many features of the aircraft for reference and use them as guides, posting them within my WIP thread for all to see. For this build, all I have is the internet, Jake Melampy’s excellent book and YOU guys to keep me moving in the right direction. There’s lots of guys here who know way more about F-4’s than I do and there’s lots of guys here who have better modeling skills than I do. I really want your help!
Like all my models, I’m throwing about as much as you can in after-market stuff at the Tamiya kit as follows:
• DMold 32001 Seamless Intakes. These are way better than Seamless Suckers and they’re already white
• Eduard Photo-Etch Everything, including:
1. 32079 (X2) Ejection Seat. I’m not sure how much I’ll use since the seats are already very good.
2. 32511 (X2) Ejection Seat. As above.
3. 32080 Exhaust. Maybe none of this, since I have the Aires exhausts. We’ll see.
4. 32503 Interior. Probably only a few parts, since I have the Avionix pit.
5. 32509 Placards. I historically use only about half.
6. 32531 Formation Light. I haven’t used one of these sets yet, because the kit lights are usually just as good.
7. 32073 Exterior. Again, maybe about half.
8. XL 517 Stencils. Painted “No Step†signs, etc., might be fun rather than using a decal.
9. JX 501 Masks. I may use a few. But my luck with them isn’t as good as good old Tamiya tape.
10. Leftovers from the Big Ed set I used from my last F-4J
• CAM R32-053, Mk 20 Rockeye Cluster Bombs (X6). I don’t even know what they are, but I know the F-4 carried them and the kit doesn’t supply them, so maybe I use them.
• Aires F-4E/J Exhaust Nozzles. Typical Aires. Beautiful details, but a bit too small. I have an idea that might “fix†this problem.
• Two Bobs SEA Heros Decals 32-022 (X2) Always great quality- and the source of those fierce shark teeth! I always buy 2 sets for the inevitable decal screw-up. I'm thinking I'll do 69-7551, because "Chico the Gunfighter" has been overdone a bit, just like "Showtime 100". Besides, the teeth look cooler for this version anyway! I also have a few sets of early F-4 stencil and placard decals to fill in the blanks.
• Avionix F-4E Cockpit, AV32019. I wish there was an Aires alternative, but I hear it’s not too bad.
• 1/32 Tamiya F-4EJ Phantom #60314 Kit. I'm hoping this is the same kit as the straight F-4E, except for the decals which I don't plan on using anyway. I noticed on the outside of the box this message: “Modeling skills helpful if under 10 years of ageâ€. I should be good to go at 56!
And, last but not least….
• The Modern Phantom Guide by Jake Melampy, Reid Air Publications. The must-have F-4 Bible.
I also have the Nautilus jig to get the wingtip angles correct at 12.5 degrees. I’ll probably pick up some more add-ons along the way and maybe delete a few of the above. You never know what you need or don’t need until you get right into it.
I’ve had help with this build already. “Finn†has supplied me with this link, which I thought I had already, but mine was for the F-4 C/D tweaks and not the F-4E….
http://www.largescal...weaks/F-4EJ.pdf
And “Marcel†has given me a method of creating better looking ejection hoops I’m dying to try.
So I’ll get started tomorrow and maybe have an update in a week or so. I know the beginning of the build is always the most boring to look at, but I’ll try to make it as interesting and informative as possible. Let’s have some fun! In the meantime, here's a pic of my target for inspiration. I can hardly wait to paint those touch-up patches on the fuselage...
http://sharpshooter-...td02/f4027a.jpg
This post has been edited by chuck540z3: 22 October 2012 - 03:58 PM
Posted 20 January 2011 - 05:25 PM
