1/48 F-4J Phantom for my Superscale 'Black Bunny' decals

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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In preparation for a future build (November / December) I want to build an F-4J using my black Bunny decals and I have some questions since I am by no means an expert.

Accuracy is more important than cost so which manufactured kit should I buy? I want to avoid the 1 piece canopy option.

What weapons load-out should be used?

What other tweaks if any will I have to make?

I know about the wheels thanks to Bernie and I have a set of the Eduard Models Czech.

Thanks

2

Kits: Most folks would probably pick the Hasegawa kit, but the Revell/Monogram kit runs a close second at a substantially lower price.

Both kits have an inaccurate rear cockpit reperesenting an Air Force Phantom versus a Navy F-4J. There are aftermarket cockpits available, but it’s also a pretty easy to scratch-build the necessary changes.

Depending on the kit, there will also be some changes needed in the panel scribing, such as for the Navy-style refueling probe on the starboard side of the forward fuselage.

VX-4 was a weapons & systems test and evaluation squadron, so loadouts would depend on what they were testing at the time. It could be single or multiple sidewinders, sparrows or sometimes nothing at all. A centerline drop tank would be common.

Mark

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Check out the link below. Some good pictures of VX-4 Vandy 9.

http://www.vpnavy.com/vx4_history.html

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Mark,

Thanks for the comments and insight. Since I have not built the Hasegawa kit I will begin my search for one.

Berny,

As always thanks for the link. I’ll bookmark it.

5

Aside from just being the coolest color scheme out there, does anyone know why VX-4 painted their planes black?

Eric

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Eric,

It was used for night testing!

GO PACKERS!

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I would go with an Italeri F-4J for sure. You buy the kit and your done It’s a retooled ESCI kit . The Hasegawa’s cockpit and seats suck ! The Italeri kit has a great cockpit and seats as well as decals for the tub as well. Personally I hate spending the same amount of money or double on aftermarket parts. Here’s the cybermodeler review of the Italeri’s kit.

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/it/kit_it_2642.shtml

Here’s the Hasegawa review (both F-4S)

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/has/kit_has_07077.shtml

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/has/kit_has_09807.shtml

The revell review

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/rm/kit_rm_6879.shtml

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Are you kidding? The ESCI/Italeri kit had the worst excuse for a cockpit of any Phantom kit ever released! The seats look like lawn chairs and the instrument panels don’t look anything like the real things be it USAF or USN versions. The kit was based on their earlier USAF -C/-D release and was advertised as either a -B or -J, but has the thick wings and can’t be built as an accurate -B. To it’s credit, the overall shape and the ingraved panels are nice, but that’s about it.

Mark

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I have to disagree with you on that. The Italeri and ESCI F-4J kits are nothing more than re pops of the Testers kit which are the worst on the market. What they call a cockpit is nothing at all like an F-4 cockpit I have ever seen. The seats come no where close to being accurate. The nose gear looks like something my seven year old grandson built out of Lego blocks. Wheel well detail is very bad.

The Hasagawa kit, except for the USAF style rear cockpit, is very accurate in detail. They have some of the best looking MB-MK-7 seats of any one in that scale. You will pay a little more for the Hasagawa kit but you get a much better model.

The Revell/Monogram F-4J kit is nothing more than their F-4C/D kit with added parts to make it into a J model. Overall it isn’t a very bad kit. With a little scratchbuilding anyone can turn it into a good F-4J.

My choice would be the Hasagawa kit first. Revell/Monogram second. I do not have a third choice.

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I fully agree with Berny (F-4 laureate) and redcorvette. What little I do know about F-4 kits I do know I would NOT buy an Italeri.

With that said, I did land a F-4J Phantom Blue Angels Hasegawa 1/48 Hi-Grade kit. Don’t know what the "Hi-Grade’ means but I have a ‘J’.

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The Hasegawa Hi-grade Blue Angel kit is the standard F-4J kit with the addition of some photo etched parts, metal foil for the leading edges of the wings, white metal landing gear and parts to convert the rear cockpit to a Navy version. Nice kit and rather rare. Hope you enjoy building it.

Mark

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I have to agree with everyone here…especially the “GO PACKERS!” part.

Eric

PS. My dad is actually friends with a guy who flew with VX-4 back in their Phantom days. I was thinking of building one and giving it to the guy. I’ve been wondering what to build next. I think I may have found it.