Got the only Academy F-4C kit from the LHS. Big box with 14 sprues including the upper fuse. Can’ wait to start the build!
It’s not at my LHS yet, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ve got one of their F-4B’s finished and another well underway. Let us know what you think as you get into it.
Tom
Sounds like you have yourself a nice project in the making Constructor. I look forward to the photos.
I just want to ask you Stikpusher, how visibly different is the B from the C? I’m not much of a Phantom guy.
Externally, the biggest visible difference is the wings. The B has “thin” wings, while the C has bulged wings above the wheel wells for the larger tires that the Air Force wanted. The inboard pylons are also different. On the B the upper leading edge runs straight forward at an angle, while on the C, the leading edge is curved. I know that there are differences in the cockpits as well, but off the top of my head I do not know them specificly.
ok Thanks!
Anytime 
I have opened the box and inspected the content. It has the same tricolor sprues as the B, Grey, white and black. There is a big sheet of decals for the Vietnam Phantom and many, many stencils! The instruction is quite simple to follow although sometimes they forget to include some painting details. The molding is quite good too.
It was apparent when you first saw their B release, that Academy planned to release kits of other Phantom versions as well. Many optional parts came on the sprues to do just that.
That is correct because the list of unused parts on the C kit is very long.
I finished the B version a few months ago. Very nice, smooth and easy build. Though I would definitely recommend some AM help in the cockpit. It’s pretty bare.
I have actually waiting in my stash an Aires cockpit set which I think I will use for the C.
BTW, Stikpusher, would you have a paint guide for the C? Academy forgot to indicate the color (inside) of the landing gear wheel well flaps. I could use some help here. Thanks!
I will see what I can find. As far as I know landing gear, gear wells, and the inner faces of the doors should be white. I believe that the speed brake wells and inner surface of those should be red, but I am not certain on that.
If you mean for the C version, the landing gear wells were Semi-Gloss White, as were the inside of the gear doors.
But, the speed brake wells were the same Camouflage Gray color as the underside of the aircraft, with the speed brakes themselves in Insignia Red on the inside, with Camo Gray on the outside.
As for spare parts for later versions,there is a guy on another forum that will have the “first Academy F-4J” built before they even get released in future months,just by knowing what to mix and match from this new Thick Wing kit’s release.
Rex
Upon closer inspection of the kit parts, I now see the need for AM parts specially in the 'pit area. Eduard has and AM photo etch that can fill the need for the frame in the cockpit with the rear view mirrors, the slide parts on the cockpit frame. Although I think the ejection seats of the kit looks good enough, The Eduard Brassin seats will look better. I also have the Aero Master decal set for Early Phantoms in Combat part II. I think I’m good to go!
I just picked up one of these C models myself at the Not So LHS (my old one 450 miles away from where I live now.)
Looks like it is going to be a great build. I’ve got designs on Don Cherry’s bird, but the names on the cockpit rails will be a problem.
I am painting my academy F-4C the kit is just as good as the B model, and if you look inside the upper wing halves you will see the letters B C D J. which has me drooling. side note check megahobby .