I just recently picked up two Esci 1/72 scale F-4 Phantoms, still sealed in the box. I’m building one now and noticed that the center piece that splits the front and rear canopy is missing.
Oh thats right…I remember, it was the same deal 5 years ago when I built another one.
I looked at the other Phantom I recently purchased and sure enough it is not in there either! Well i can’t writ to them for one because they no longer exist!
Anyone have any scatch building techniques to help me make three of them?
thanks in adavance!
gunther
I’m sure there’s plenty of aftermarket outfits making Vac formed replacement canopies for the Phantom, they do it for just about every other aircraft out there.
Check with your local hobby shop, maybe they can order some in for you. Gotta be easier than trying to scratch build the things.
I would try and find some of the old Monogram 1/72nd F-4 kits and take them out of there. May not be the cheapest way to go but it would definately be a lot easier than trying to scratchbuild or order parts from somewhere. I’ve seen them at shows for around 4-5 bucks each.
Thanks!
That gives me a good idea. I know where a Monogram kit is. I’ll grab it and make 3 copies (some how…perhaps out of plastic sheet or even clear packing (acetate?)).
Out of plastic sheet I can cut out the little triangle window that I think is on each side.
But then again getting some after market replacements is a good idea…if they come with that center piece. They probably do.
I wonder if during the production of the kits those parts fell off easily. And because there were probably hundreds on the floor everyday a coal shovel was used to pick them up.
Then they were probably thrown away in a dumpster.
Now-a-days it is probable that person who takes a casual walk in an Italian landfill will reveal a dozen or so stuck on the bottom of their sandles.
Anyone planning a trip to Italy?
gunther
Squadron makes clear Theraform plastic if you read the instructions it’ll tell you how to make your own canopies. and if I remember correctly weren’t the Monogram 1/72nd scale F-4 canopies 1 piece or 3 piece?
It’s been so long since I built that kit, I can’t remember if it has posable canopies or not. I know the 72nd Hasegawa kits definately do.
I’m pretty sure it’s a 1 piece I have 5 1/72nd scale F-4’s from Revell 1 is from the Yankee Station set and the other 4 is from the ThunderBirds flight set.
I built Revell’s 1/72 Blue Angels 4 Phantom set years ago and the Phantoms had 1 piece canopies
I also built a 1/72 Fujimi F-4E that had a 4 piece canopy for the opened option.
Thaks guys,
I have some AMT Thunderbird sets stashed away (contains F4, F16, F100) I was thinking that AMT meant ESCI and I would have the same problem with them missing in those kits.
Is the AMT Phantom the same as the Esci?
(I built an F100 and three F16’s but none of the Phantoms.)
I did not find any aftermarket canopies with a less than thorugh look.
Squadron Thermoform is last resort…
gunther
The only concern I would have about making them the thermoform way is would it be strong enough to hold the weight of the canopy?
alot of Italieri and AMT/ERTL kits are reissued Escii kits so yes the AMT kit is Escii
How are you doing with the missing part problem? Came across this post and remembered I have that Esci F-4E and immediately dug it up from the stash to check if it is also missing from my sample. Fortunately it is there. It is with the clear parts sprue. Looking at it, looks like the thermaform copy is the easiest solution and posing the canopies open. Good luck.