Flight of the Ancient Ones

[anthonyp]

Here's some ancient F-4S's I built a looooooong time ago, back when I was building all planes with gear up for that "in-flight" feel.  I was surprised when I opened up a box after moving it to the new place and found these four guys in it, still in relatively good shape.

First up is a 1/72 Ertl F-4S.  This was my first attempt at using light ghost grey, from waaaay back in 1989 (or was it 1988?).  I actually retouched this plane in the mid-90's with I think dark gull grey to make it look more uniform.  The original dark grey was the old Testor's enamels gloss grey, and the thing just looked sad.  I'm just glad most of the decals are still in place.  It's assigned to VF-103.  This qualifies as a WiF because I'm pretty sure the actual plane looked nothing like this.



Next is a 1/72 Hasegawa F-4S.  This was the first kit I ever paid $20 for that wasn't a ship.  I thought it was really expensive at the time, and was disappointed no weaponary came with it.  This is from 1990, I think.  It was also my first attempt at using an airbrush.  (I've got a 1/72 Hasegawa F-4G somewhere that shows I actually know how to use an airbrush, what with the Hill Grey scheme I applied to it!)  I actually put some effort into this kit.  When it was first done, I was really pleased with it.  I actually detailed the cockpit too, but had no idea how to apply the canopy without it fogging over.  You can barely see the detailing now, but it's there!  This is the CAG bird for VF-161.



Next is another Ertl 1/72 F-4S, like the first kit, except this was one of my attempts to take aftermarket decals, and make up my own paint scheme for it.  It was also built in early 2000, after I discovered Testor's window cement.  I used some cues from the instructions (I think they were Repliscale decals) for the tail paint colors, and painted the rest of it according to the instructions that came with the kit.  Wait, now I remember!  I used this kit's decals to replace some of the misapplied ones to the previous Ertl F-4S!  Anyhow, I always liked the way this one turned out.  This is another VF-161 plane.  This is a WiF in that I made up the paint scheme.



And finally, here's the last F-4S I built with gear up.  This is the Italeri 1/72 F-4S with the Ferris scheme that you can find today.  I built this one in early 2003, and built and painted it just like the box says.  I'm sure that if I knew where my airbrush was, it'd look even better, but the thing's done gone MIA!  This plane is assigned to VF-301.  It was also the inspiration for that Ferris schemed F-11S I did last year.



Here's a few more pics:

F-4S four ship


Anther four ship


LOOK!!!  DETAILED EJECTOR SEATS!!!!  Ignoring the flaking decals I used that came with the kit, I do know how to do JMN-level detail!  

[Ollie]

Are they looking for TSR.2 to mollest?