Now working on a pair of F-4s…the “C” will be a USAF bird, and the J will be in Navy mkngs.
Both kits are from Accurate Miniatures (Monogram ??? molds), will be using Eduard PE, resin seats from Wolfpack and Quickboost, and burner cans from Aires.
The way the pit tub is molded (w/ bottom of seat), it had to be cut up and rebuilt. The sidewalls also needed to be widened, to make room for the resin seats.
I used sheet stock to fasion new tubs.
A bit of PE and some paint, and the pits are done!
I love what you’ve done there so far. I will mention that if you’re building one as a “J”, there’s no control stick in the rear pit, and the kit provides a couple of pieces to block off the rear consoles, as they aren’t in the Navy birds. You’re also going to run into a couple of issues with the intake trunks fitting correctly, and there’s a nasty gap on the inner flap when you glue the wings together. Looking forward to seeing your build!
Not sure which one in Fermis’ pics is the “C” and which one is the “J” but they look pretty good to me—although it would be an easy fix to yank the rear stick outta the Navy (J) bird…
…begs the question as to whether or not the Navy back-seaters were qualified pilots???
Found some cool plates in some Osprey books that show various IP’s from different F-4 models. Top one shows the rear seat view in a “B” model:
without using any PE at all,a person could paint each lump and bump as it is molded in the kit,and get very close to that same result
he would have to be some sort of “miniature Michealangelo” to pull it off,but, a “three hair brush” and no coffee for a year,and it could be done, lol
I like Monogram’s cockpit parts OOB so much that I rob the kits and put them into “better” kits,and have made a short term mold to cast pits for my “lesser” kits as an upgrade
my cockpits show the world that I obviously love my coffee too,and since I am not willing to go without for that year,I will just keep gluing the canopies closed
No, the Navy back seat guys were not pilots. They were RIOs, Radar Intercept Officers. The AF back seaters were WSOs or Weapon System Operators. For a while during Vietnam, Pilots were in the back seat to gain experience. They were called GIBs or Guy in Back. Although not qualified pilots, many WSOs learned the basics of flying to help out the pilot when he needed to take a break, or if he was incapacitated.
I was a little leary of the sticks being in back…then my brain got sidetracked and I put em in. I did find the rear sidewall parts too (not mentioned in the instructions)…explains why there were no PE parts for the right side(brush painted). I know the rear IP is different for the C and J, and the rear side panel goes on the J…how 'bout the C??? I also know that I need to trim off a bit of the hump under the nose and ixnay an antenna or two, to make a C.
The stick should definitely be in the back on the “C”, and the rear consoles that you detailed on it are spot on. You’ll only need the sidewalls for the J’s rear cockpit. You’re right about converting the hump and the antennas to make a “C”, and if I remember correctly, I think all the markings in the kit are for the “C”. Seeing your work makes me want to break mine out and build one of those Michigan birds, but my cockpits won’t look as nice as yours. You’ve done a great job with them!
correct, Manny,for the time period you are talking about
there were variations of when USAF had pilots back there and when they didn’t,and there were USN aircraft with sticks back there,but, not on the aircraft you are talking about building
I have visions of fermis building like a hummingbird hopped up on Red Bull and Arizona sweet tea, then physically seizing up & not being able to move until somebody winds him up again…
Note the differences in the “bang-seats” from Wolfpack and Quickboost…interesting to see how two companies interpret the same thing…I like both sets !!!
During the 70’s Navy pilot candidates and naval flight officer candidates started out together at Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) at Pensacola. After commissioning, pilots candidates went on to flight training at nearby Whiting Field, while the NFO candidates were assigned to VT-10, the basic NFO training squadron at Sherman Field.
After completing VT-10, the NFO’s would be assigned to one of several pipelines for advanced training, one of which was Radar Intercept Officer.
When first applying, pilot and NFO candidates went through the same initial testing and physicals. Those with higher test scores would typically get preference for pilot training, depending on the needs of the service at the time (Naval Academy grads also got to go to the front of the line…) .
One difference between the AF and Navy at that time was that the Navy required pilots had to have 20/20 vision, but NFOs could have 20/100, correctable to 20/20. In other words, NFOs could wear glasses. (That’s how I managed to get accepted…).
After their initial NFO tour, high-performing NFOs could be selected to attend flight school to become pilots.
