I just spent a bunch of money to get this kit based on my desire to build a big version of this airplane, my favorite Vietnam-era fighter/bomber. Has anyone built this monster? Should I try to add any aftermarket sets or is OOB going to be satisfactory? Any pitfalls to the kit that reviews haven’t revealed?
I built their F-4E and have the F-4C/D/J in my stash. The intakes will present a problem and will be hard to fit in place. If possible get the AM intakes for the kit. The kit supplied intakes have a large blank section that is not blended to the intake trunk. The wing to fuselage fit will take some careful fitting to get it to fit. The main wheel wells have parts that make up the forward and mid ribs. Make sure you use the proper parts for the left or right as they will fit on either side but will not allow you to join the top wings once they are glued in place.
The engine exhaust section is too shallow. Try to get AM exhaust for the kit. If you do use the kit supplied exhaust glue the AB nozzles in place before installing the assembly into the fuselage as they are almost impossible to get in place once everything is joined.
The cockpit almost falls in place. The kit supplied cockpit will work but I suggest you get the AM cockpit as it will have the proper sidewalls and bulkheads that have most of the clutter found on the actual aircraft.
The AIM-9 Sidewinders supplied with the kit were not used on Navy or Marine Phantoms. They are the AIM-9E that was used by USAF F-4’s. Use AM Sidewinders such as the AIM-9D which was used by the Navy Phantoms.
If you can’t find the Seamless intakes, consider installing FOD covers over them to hide the trunking. It is a great kit and I have seen it build both ways…tons of aftermarket and those with none. I have one started and someday will finish it. I have a deep personal attachment to the F-4.
Hi Steve, another BIG bird huh? Have a good time with it, and by the way I’m JEALOUS!!! And Gerald, I’m jealous of you too! You’re just a bit closer than I’ve ever been to an F4. (USAF 1965-1969 B-52’s) That was an incredible plane in MY day. Gary
Yeah, it’s gonna be a big one, and I’m looking for a place where I can display it. It won’t be a ceiling hanger.
I have a place you can display it! [:P] I look forward to see lots of pictures. It is my favorite plane.
The person pictured is my cousin Gerald “Zeke” Huelsbeck who was one of the McDonnell-Douglas test pilots for the F-4 program. He was killed during a test flight leading up to the altitude record attempt, Oct 21, '59. Through the kind efforts of a friend I now have pieces from the wreckage of the crash. I hope to visit the site myself and obtain some more. Zeke was a Navy pilot who served tours in Korea flying Banshees in combat, then accepted a test pilot position with M/D where he flew the F3 Demon and F4H-1. I was born about a year after his death, my dad named me after him. To us he was a hero.
I’ve been around F-4s a lot during my career. I’ve even had the opportunity to pack several up to be shipped to the Luftwaffe after the US retired them. Sad times…but now with the QF-4 program, the I get to see them at Oshkosh!
Sounds cool Gerald! Congrats to him for what he’s accomplished.
So how do you cheese off a Phantom driver? [%-)]
Get in behind him in a T-33 and call “guns kill” [(-D] [(-D]
(yes, I know they don’t have guns! I was flying as EW in one and got jumped by a pair during an exercise! Man was he mad!)