First of all, this is a great forum. I stumbled across the site while looking around for some modeling tips and wow…you guys know your stuff!
I’ve just started getting back into modeling, (after a very long hiatus) and have a few questions. I was looking around for an F4 Phantom to build, my favorite bird, and found myself looking at the Boeing website. They have some really nice pictures of the Phantom and a couple have peaked my interest. They are the VX-4 Bicentennial Phantom, VX-4 Black Playboy Bunny (not sure if that’s the proper name), Thunderbird version and Blue Angel version.
I’d like to build all of those and have only been able to find the Blue Angel model kit. I have found a place that sells decals for the Bicentennial Phantom, and I’m guessing that maybe I’ll have to wing it on that one.
Anyways, I was wondering if anyone here could give some tips on where to look for the kits or if they even have any available for purchase. Maybe they’ve never produced them?
BTW - I’m looking for a 1/48 scale.
Thanks again. This site has already taught me a great deal and I’m sure you guys will soon get tired of all of my questions. But, that goes with the territory. A lot of you guys have some extrodinary builds.
Hay Bernie13 (Bill) this is the man you want he worked on the F4’s wish i could help but dont know much about them evan though my dad worked on them to but Bill is a model builder like us so he knows.
The USAF Thunderbirds used non slatted F-4E aircraft. If you can find the Hasagawa F-4EJ kit, it is the non slatted version and the type the Thunderbirds used. All other 1/48 F-4E kits have the slats.
In 1/48 scale Hasagawa is the only way to go. The Monogram F-4J isn’t accurate at all with the cockpits being the USAF cockpits.
Two Bobs has many decals for the Phantom. Check several hobby shops and you may find the decals you are looking for.
Thanks for the advice on the brand to go with, berny. I see you worked on Phantoms? Both of my grandfathers built Phantoms at McDonnel Douglas. That’s probably why I have such a liking for them. That and the raw power. Nothing like having one fly past you and your insides start vibrating!
I did happen to find all of the decals I need. I got the Thunderbirds, Black Bunny and the Bicentennial decals online. Hope to get them soon.
Thanks for all of your help guys. I’m sure I’ll have tons more questions for the pros.
Wow, sidure. Your Phantoms look great…The shamrock decals came in one of the sets I purchased earlier today.
So, I’ve noticed you guys have really cool looking cockpits. Do you make those yourselves or do you buy them separately? Yeah, I’m a rookie. But, now I just can’t go on with this unless my cockpit looks like the real deal. So, a couple of more questions…
How hard is it to do? (Assuming I don’t have to make it myself…because there’s no way)
Do you buy them as kits separately? If so, are there brands/sites that are better than others?
The painting…on a scale of 1 (kindergarten fingerpainter) to 10 (Van Gogh), how good do you have to be to make it worthwhile?
What else do you guys recommend, if anything, as far as buying extra detailed pieces?
Seriously, I really appreciate all of the help. The last time I put a model together was with my dad a good 15 years ago. And even then, I was mainly just a gopher.
i’m not sure were to get things for 1/48 scale,tamiya makes a good 1/32 kit,and i’m pretty sure you can get the decals you want for that scale.if you need some photos to look at i found this great phantom site, www.5053phantoms.com they have pics of just about every version of the phantom aver made[8D]note you have to click on the "join the world of the f-4 phantom "link this will take you to a different page and then go to gallery,enjoy
Some members buy after market (AM) resin cockpits. If the basic kit does not have a good cockpit, that is one way to go. The first two pictures below is a scratch built F-4E cockpit side walls. It is the 1/32 scale Revell kit and had nothing for the side walls. After I scratch built them, AM resin parts became available. You do not have to buy AM cockpits but I do recommend you get Photo Etch (PE) parts to make the cockpits look better. The F-4 kits out today lack canopy detail, sill detail and windshield detail. PE parts will have items needed to make a better looking model.
Instrument panels give most people problems. The way I do it is first paint the instrument panel FS 36231 Dark Gull Gray. Paint the instrument frames and bezels flat black. I then drop gloss white inside the instrument faces and after dry, seal them with future. I give it time to cure, usually 24 hours, and then use a thin semi gloss black in the faces. The thin paint will settle into the low areas exposing the white raised areas. I use a wood dowell to rotate around the instrument to bring out the raised white area. I use the same trick on side consoles.
For painting, filling seams, applying decals and most any other problems, just look in the topics found on this site. Another great source is www.SwannysModels.com This is the best site I have seen that will talk you through many modeling tips.
There are many members that will be happy to offer you sound advice when it comes to the finer points of model building.
If you don’t have an airbrush, that should be your first investment, if you want a quality paint job. Visit the painting section where you will see many topics on air brush selection.
Do research, research, research and more research. Take your time when building. When you run into a problem, ask for advice. Before you know it, you will be turning out quality models. It just take practice and patience.
I just got back into it also just completed the revell/monogram Black widow kit, next one will be a Thunderbirds F4E check out cam decals would post a link to it but not savvy enough. They have the decal for the T-birds and maybe the rest also.
On research-Look for the out of print books by Lou Drendel,Detail N Scale,and Squadron/Signal publications in general. Lots of pics(even cockpit layouts) and tons of profiles.I plan on turning my 1/32 RF-4C into “Tumbleweeds”,one I saw in USAF Phantoms in combat by Lou Drendel(Squadron/Signal).Hope this helps,Allen.
Thanks for the extensive post berny! I really appreciate the advice and pics. Your cockpit is really good. I’m not sure I’m quite there yet, so I’m going to try and hone my skills a bit before I take on all the extra details. I can’t wait to get there though!
Your post has been archived into my new “modeling tips” folder. Thank you very much!
prowannab & Allen - Thanks for the links! Those are going in the “modeling research” archives as we speak.
newoldguy - Thanks for the info. I’ve already secured my set of Thunderbird decals, as well as the rest! Can’t wait to use them!
