1/72 Scale USN F4-L USS Hancock 1978

[KiwiZac]

Great progress Gondor! This is an entertaining and informative thread.

I prefer the Hasegawa F-4 family over the Fujimi lot but unfortunately as things stand Fujimi are the only real game in town for a semi decent F-K or F-4M.

Gondor

For now. ......

Much of this week I've been reading up online about Brit Phantoms, and watching YouTube videos focusing on the FGR.2, and I really want one in 72nd. Should I wait?

[Thorvic]

Great progress Gondor! This is an entertaining and informative thread.

I prefer the Hasegawa F-4 family over the Fujimi lot but unfortunately as things stand Fujimi are the only real game in town for a semi decent F-K or F-4M.

Gondor

For now. ......

Much of this week I've been reading up online about Brit Phantoms, and watching YouTube videos focusing on the FGR.2, and I really want one in 72nd. Should I wait?

Well if you check HLJ or 1999 you will find that Fujimi are about to re-issue the RN Silver Jubilee boxing of the FG1 later this month so to be honest I would get hold of one of those as insurance as any new kit won't appear till 2016 at the earliest. Airfix were expressing an interest at SMW last year, but we don't know if that because they have already done their research or are gauging demand to look at the next batch of kits for the 3 year development cycle, we also don't know if they would go 1/72nd or do another 1/48th kit as either is possible. So rather than risk it on the hope of a new 1/72 kit in the next few years get the best you can get so far when its available.

[Gondor]

Great progress Gondor! This is an entertaining and informative thread.

Thank you KiwiZac. I do try to pass on more than most do during a build to help others and pass on methods that I have seen, read or used myself over the years.

Gondor

[Captain Canada]

Sounds like you're getting there....look forward to more photos !

[Gondor]

While at Scale Scotland I bought some Humbrol Acrylic paints so I can paint the upper surface of the F-4L, could not get FS16440 but did get FS36440 which is close enough as the difference should be just the finish.

Gondor

[DogfighterZen]

I bet most of us wouldn't tell the difference anyway... Phantom pics on the way then?

[Gondor]

I bet most of us wouldn't tell the difference anyway... Phantom pics on the way then?

Not in the next day or so. I an still trying to get a nice even finish to the white but it never appears the same with each part I paint. Hopefully it will become a nice even coat soon.

Gondor

[KiwiZac]

Well if you check HLJ or 1999 you will find that Fujimi are about to re-issue the RN Silver Jubilee boxing of the FG1 later this month

Interesting, thank you! Does the FG.1 boxing normally contain the right bits for an FGR.2?

Sorry to derail the thread, Gondor!

[Thorvic]

Well if you check HLJ or 1999 you will find that Fujimi are about to re-issue the RN Silver Jubilee boxing of the FG1 later this month

Interesting, thank you! Does the FG.1 boxing normally contain the right bits for an FGR.2?

Sorry to derail the thread, Gondor!

Unfortunatly not it has the FG1 nose leg and slotted tailplanes, but the RAF used the FG1 as they took over the 2nd FAA frontline sqdn during delivery and took the rest over during the 70s forming first 43 sqdn abd then 111 sqdn

[Captain Canada]

Thanks for the tips Geoff.



Looking forward to seeing some more....

[Gondor]

Sorry to derail the thread, Gondor!

Not a problem at all. I also didn't consider that a derailment anyway as a British F-4 by Fujimi is being used as a basis for the build.

Gondor

[KiwiZac]

Excellent! Then you won't mind me thanking Geoff for the heads-up and advising I pre-ordered one with HLJ last night May be brand-new but it's still cheaper than the cheapest on eBay.

I finally found that out last night, Geoff - hopefully I can scrounge the FGR-specific sprue from somewhere.

[Gondor]

If your thinking about the undercarriage and the fact that the default nose leg supplied by Fujimi in the F-4K/M kits is only applicable for the F-4K, then you could think about getting a white metal set for any other F-4 Phantom as it's only the F-4K that has the double extending nose leg.

Gondor

[KiwiZac]

Excellent tip, thank you. My plan is a (real-world) FGR.2 from 1977 with outer tanks, inboard Sidewinders and mmmmaaaaaaaaaaybe belly Sparrows, so apart from the leg and stabilators the FG.1 kit should do me just fine.

Any progress to report on this one? It's a very cool concept - having watched some clips on YouTube of Spey Tooms I really enjoy the sound!

[Gondor]

Not much been going on with regards to my modeling bench at all (see Gondor's Grumblings for the reason)

With regards to the tail surfaces, you could carefully remove a small amount from the front of them and sand back the edge to get rid of the slot. Done that with a set from a Hasegawa F-4B/N as Hasegawa only provide the slotted tail with that version so picking and choosing which kits I buy for my F-4 plan is essential. Another alternative is to buy a Fujimi F-4F and swap the tail surfaces over as the F didn't have slots but the E did so you would end up with an E and an M

Gondor