I’ve been asked to build a replica of a Phantom (Idaho Air National Guard) that a friend was lucky enought to fly (and barf) in as a civilian passenger. He gave me the Testors 1/48 kit. During prefit I noticed that there are 2 nose options, but the instructions dont say when/why to use one or the other. His ref photos are good but the lens and odd angles dont help 100%. A photo search is a bit helpful but the nose antenna extending from the front is there sometimes but not others, so it makes it tough to be sure. The angle of the nose and the length (about 1/2") difference is enough to keep me worried. If anyone has any thoughts on which nose to use, I’d appreciate it. I could also use 2 seated pilot figures from the mid 90’s era. I’d pay you a fair price for them and postaage. Thx.
My advice: Toss that kit, and go get the Hasegawa. $45 isn’t a lot to pay (in my opinion) for a kit that really only needs aftermarket seats (true details,$ 4.00)
The Testors kit is positively awful, no cockpit, seats that don’t look right. It also had serious fit issues. This has the rare distinction of being the only kit I have ever tossed in the trash.
Anyway, to your question. the F-4G has the longer nose. The Testors kit has the short F-4A/B/C/D nose as well as the longer F-4E/F/G nose. The kit will also include a part for an E/F model on the end of the cannon, on a G that should be round as the cannon spaces have been used for sensors and other things. All the parts are in there to make a G though, just be very careful, I had trouble making the longer G nose come out straight and the seams were a nightmare.
Edit: I am pretty sure the Hasegawa kit comes with figures as well.