Couldn’t find any comparison review… Not even a convincing normal review so I ask here. I want to build a F-4. It could be a Vietnam war era F-4, those without a fixed gun, carrying a gun pod or it could be a F-4E with a 20 mm gatling in an elongated nose, I like those tho variants (not sure about the first one, I think it is F-4D). Thanks a lot in advance. Best regards.
José.
Fermis just built two in that scale that were Accurate Miniatures, one a C/D version and the other a J…I believe they are from the old Revell molds but he made 'em look cherry…look up the WIP thread…
I also have read that Hasegawa’s are “generally believed” to be the best in this scale but the early variants are extremely hard to find and expensive…I am on the look-out for a naval B model but the only way you can buy one is to get it in a “two-pack” for about $70…Hasegawa sux in that regard…
The Fujimi kits are very nice too, but they are even harder to get your hands on.
My vote for the new revell, the F version could easily turned into an E, and price think are the lower
The recent Accurate Miniatures (RIP) kits were reboxed Monogram kits. They were of the “short nosed” C/D for the USAF, and the J for the Navy/Marines. The old Monogram kits are actually pretty good and probably the most accurately shaped and detailed of any 1/72 short-nosed Phantom kits. Some modelers don’t like the raised detailing, preferring the more modern trend of recessed panel lines.
Hasegawa’s family of F-4s in 1/72 is the most diverse, and the kits are broken down in such a manner as to take advantage of several alternate parts the are provided in certain boxes. These include nose cones, tail tips, and so forth. Hasegawa’s kits suffer from rather basic cockpit detail (compared with Monogram/Accurate Miniatures), so there is that trade off.
Fujimi’s Phantoms are pretty decent, although not as good as Hasegawa’s. About on par with Fujimi’s is the old Esci kits, and that family of kits also includes the short nosed, long nosed, and recce types.
The old Revell (from the '60s) and Airfix kits are not good enough now adays. Also avoid the several old (and poor) Hasegawa kits that were made before the modern kits.
If you want an air force c/d I concurr that the accurate miniatures kit is probably your best bet. The newer Hase J is a really nice kit though. It just depends on what you want.
Agree…I actually think the raised details benefits the finished kit’s realism in this case…Trouble is, the C/D (Col Old’s) boxing is almost impossible to find now. Too bad as it is a VERY nice kit w/ some really great decal options. The J version is fairly available at Amazon or Sprue Brothers…
Fermis’ two AM builds:
http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/p/148391/1593091.aspx#1593091