G’day,this is my first post. I’ve been gifted a 1/48 Hasegawa F4EJ Phantom (kit # 09617) and want to build an Aussie version. I’ve done some research and know that there are bulges over the landing gear on the topside of the wings I must remove that are for US Marine variants…is there anything else I need to correct ? Is this kit accurate enough to use? I usually build cars and bikes so this is all new to me. Any help appreciated.
thanks
Simmo
If you are building an F-4E you want the bulges, which are there to house the wider tires used on F-4C, D, and E types (USAF), IIRC. USN Phantoms sometimes had narrower wheels and tires and they would not have the bulges. There are some every knowledgeable phantomphreaks about here, hopefully they will help out.
Welcome aboard!
If I recall correctly, all F-4 versions from the “C” onwards (except for the “N”, which was an upgraded/rebuilt “B”) have the wing bulges.
My understanding is that the RAAF F-4E’s were “early” build (1969) standard USAF F-4E’s with the shorter muzzle fairings and without the slat extensions.
There are a couple of pictures of Australian F-4E’s at this site:
http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_361.shtml
The pictures are a little fuzzy, but it looks like they have the slatted LE on the stabilizer and the “hard wing” (without leading edge slats) as well as the short muzzled fairing for the gun.
The site also lists the serial numbers of the the 24 planes sent to the RAAF and some other interesting information.
Darwin
Thanks a lot for that ( he says, wiping sweat from the brow ) and also for such a speedy reply. Much appreciated !
You might also want to ask the same question at www.aussiemodeller.com - there are several very knowledgeable folk there who can certainly answer any question you have on RAAF aircraft. Get on to the discussion board and do a search then ask away as I think there have been some questions about it before. There is also a readers photos discussion board where people post images of the real things that may have some photos of it.
Correct, the RAAF F-4Es were all ‘69-’ serialled Block 43 aircraft, and did not have the slats. They were delivered with the short gun muzzles, however during their RAAF service (1971-73) they received the extended gun muzzle and also the formation strip lighting on the wings and fuselage.
Hope this helps.
Hey Simmo, i assume you live in Oz? If you do, take a trip down to your local newsagent and see if you can find the latest issue of Aero Australia magazine. It has a good feature article and a photo feature on the Aussie Phantoms. Some nice pics and historical background making some nice motivatioal reding for your build.
The story of ‘number 34’, which crashed and had a MAJOR rebuild is a great story. Whenever i get to do do my Aussie Phantom, i am doing number 34!!!
Hope you find the mag, it is worth picking up…
Where do you live anyway?
Boomer…
Yep got it yesterday. And I’m heading down to Point Cook on the weekend armed with the digital camera. I know that this plane wasn’t one of the original leased planes and that it has been re-numbered to represent one of ours, but is it still accurate ?
thanks to ALL for the replies
Simmo
Hi Simmo,
I believe the aircraft on display at the RAAF Museum is a later build with the leading edge slats. There may also be some differences in placement of antennae and sensors,
That F4 that is at PT Cook is a later version of the E that has the incorrect wing leading edges (slatted leading edges).