International Scale Modeller

I finally decided to build F-4D 66-7751, 93rd TFS, 482nd TFW, USAF Reserve. Homstead AFB Florida circa 1984. The 93rd TFS flew the F-4D from 1983-1990. This particular F4 had a unique 3 tone grey camo pattern of light, medium and dark grey in the wrap around SEA/European one style.
Frank McCurdy who took this photo stated that this was one of two F4s in this scheme but was only able to take this one photo, it is possible that this is the only photo of an F4 in this colour scheme.

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE F4D
The D was basically an upgraded version of the C, externally they were basically the same but internally it was a different matter the biggest difference was with the avionics with the installation of a new semi solid state AN/APQ-109A radar and a whole host of other mods.
The F-4D went on to shoot down 45 enemy aircraft in USAF service.The F-4D production ran from 1965-1969 with a total of 825 being built 793 for the USAF with 36 being handed to the ROKAF and 32 for IRAN.

I still need to get a sheet of stencil data and I've not decided if I should do a full weopons load out yet so they could be some more after market to come.

Cool stuff
Gonna be along two days before starting, I can hear those engines revving in anticipation

Very cool and unusual entry. Love to see this one done. I will have a look see in my reference material tomorrow to see if I can find some more photo's. Could be of help when it comes to putting the colors on.

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul J (The Other One)

Looks a very interesting build indeed. Looking forward to the progress
Looks like I've found a fellow Phantom Freak here

Just a few shots of plastic!!!






And that is all folks,not in too bad a condition since the kit is from 1988. Should be able to make a start tonight.

Thought I would share this. Had to be the definitive F4 in service.

Spook wrote:
Thought I would share this. Had to be the definitive F4 in service.

There was actually a proposal to start building a Super Phantom. It had conformal fuel tanks, upgraded avionics and a host of other updates. However that project never got launched due to defense cut backs.

That is some shiny styrene ... Is it me or the photo, it looks like the windshield has a bit of discoloration??

Vleugelmoer wrote:
There was actually a proposal to start building a Super Phantom. It had conformal fuel tanks, upgraded avionics and a host of other updates. However that project never got launched due to defense cut backs.

That is some shiny styrene ... Is it me or the photo, it looks like the windshield has a bit of discoloration??

The shine is just from the lighting it's actually scratched all over,just the way it's been packaged, I'm hoping to save the clear parts, if not I've plenty of doner kits in the stash.

I've heard of the super phantom I'm sure I've read it was being designed by McDonnell and Israel and when it was proving to be a match for the f15 McDonnell pulled the plug.

There was also an f4p which was supposed to be an high altitude recce version again for Israel, and the f4t but by that time they decided phantoms were not forever so it never got passed preliminary work.

Starting off with the main fuselage halves as they were already broken off the spures,just a general clean up to start with.

Fuselage halves all cleaned up, areas marked up for plastic surgery for when I dry fit the resin cockpit.

Time to figure out the Aires resin cockpit,This is going to be my first time using resin. I'm going to start with getting rid of all the plugs,super glueing some of the smaller parts and mounting parts onto orange sticks ready for primeing.

A close up of the photo etch sheet. This should be fun

Nice looking Phantom ,like the Grey

All marked up for abit of surgery to start the night with.

Instrument cowling and cockpit sills successfully removed, using a razor saw,Stanley knife and Ultimate sanders. All without cutting chunks and losing fingers.

Dry fit of the office doesn't look to shabby,at least it means I removed the right bits. just some fine tuneing to do.

so no need to send a over. One of my razorsaws was a bit hungry the other day as it hadn't been used in a while and got a bit close for comfort shall I say ...

All of the small resin bits now glued in and most of the office pe in place. The rest of the canopy pe will have to wait until I get some uv glue to prevent any misting as I want a stronger hold than pva gives.

Made a start on the ejector seats withe the first 2 pe belts going in. The rest will have to wait for tomorrow.

For me I think the instructions you get with the Aires resin set are very vague and I found I was having to go through a lot of reference pictures to get things right. You can't help wondering if this is the same for all AM sets or is it just an Aires thing.

The extras are really making this build shine

Spook wrote:For me I think the instructions you get with the Aires resin set are very vague and I found I was having to go through a lot of reference pictures to get things right. You can't help wondering if this is the same for all AM sets or is it just an Aires thing.

Simon, you are somewhat lucky to get vague instructions with with your aftermarket. In my experience most PE instructions are either ambiguous or non existent in most cases. Having good reference material at hand does pay dividends when using it your builds. Looks like my last post and your dry fit photo crossed paths whilst posting. The fit looks spot on to me

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul (The Other One)

This one will become a very nice F-4

Finally got the stencil data sheet, and some slime lights

Finally got all the pe on the seats and I'm fairly happy with them.Next abit of Ultimate primer.

That's the first seat done after around 3 hrs worth of work. I've used a mix of tamiya and lifecolor paints with the black being Ultimate primer all dry brushed in model air aluminium.

Those truly look FANTASTIC!!!
Some great work

Very COOL, love the scheme, great progress so far.

Some great artist at work here

That's both the instrument panels completed, again Ultimate primer for the black and dry brushed in Vallejo metallic aluminium the green and orange are tamiya clear then all dials were dabbed with future(clear) to try and give them a glass look.

Abit more plastic surgery about to remove the wheel wells

Revenge of the phantom

That's the cockpit done pretty pleased with the results.

Cockpit is great
Phantom strikes again...keep that wound clean

Well that's the cockpit and the Aries nose well shoe horned in and the fuselage all pegged and taped.

I've got to say I'm not impressed with the Aires am main wheel wells after all the sanding cutting and trying to amputate my fingers I still can't get the things to fit right,so my mojo got kicked into the corner along with the teddy
Looks like I'm going to have to get drastic tomorrow.

Well I finally gave up withe the resin main wheel wells I sanded everything down until you could see through it, then attacked the wing with a dremmel and still could get the things to fit right. In the end I raided one of my other kits which I didn't want to do, but hey ho.

Just a little bit more sanding to get rid of those steps,and that gap was the biggest so far I've had to deal with.

Intakes all sanded and ready for primeing just need to scratch build some airflow indicators.

Intakes primed, painted in Vallejo White with the airflow indicators positioned (built using scrap spure and abit of brass rod)

Not to fussed about the slight ejector pin marks as when it's all buttoned up you won't be able to see them.

Holy cursing batman. Spot the cockup!!

Glue mark on the left side of the rear cockpit?

At least I think it is a glue mark

Fridgy wrote:Glue mark on the left side of the rear cockpit?

At least I think it is a glue mark

Good one fridgy hadn't noticed that when I took the photo,
I've removed the wrong set of flaps it's the outlers that droop and needed removeing so they can be repositioned

Annoyed I couldn't get done in time,and well done for those that did