Andrew Doppel

I have just managed to obtain another F4 for my son's Jolly Rogers collection and want to dress the cockpit up with some Eduard P/E like I have with our other Phantoms. So, this is where I have my query. I am going to do the F4-N from the Hasegawa 1/48 F4-B/N kit but would like to know what P/E would be best suited for an N. Was the B and N cockpit the same or was the N more inline with the J model? I did have access to the Jake Melampy Phantom book but no longer do so any assistance would be appreciated. Cheers Andrew

Aussie Decals/Novascale Decals have a sheet for RAAF Phantoms if you have the early production F4E with the hardwing. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RAAF-F-4E-Phantom-Decals-1-32-Scale-N32036-/300701763484?pt=AU_Toys_Hobbies_Model_Kits&hash=item460338c79c regards Andrew

Cheers guys. No Mike....no good but we battle on. Regards Andrew

Thanks Neo, Here's the first one finished;- 75 Squadron RAAF 'Black Diamonds' Regards Andrew

1/48 High Planes/Academy CAC Sabre conversion with MV lenses, Eduard P/E and scratch built oil line in markings of 75 Squadron RAAF aerobatic team-'Black Diamonds' Regards Andrew

Amazingly this Demon is longer than a Phantom....just! I worked solidly on her today and now have her on her legs. There's a few minor things to add to the fuselage before I start puttying and painting. Here's some pics including detail and size comparison to the Phantom and Crusader; Tail bumper and arrestor hook Main U/C Front U/C Airbrakes Port profile Starboard profile. I'm not going to add the refueling probe so those holes will be filled. Size comparison to F8C and F4-B Regards Andrew

Hi Hornet97, this kit is available from any good hobby shop or online model shop. Well after a long period of nothingness, I pulled this out again today and strted to get things together whilst I await bits and pieces to be done on my Sabre projects for the colourful aerobatic team GB. Today I added the PE to the engine before putting the fuselage together properly. The fit is good but will need a little putty on the tail and nose. Here's how it's looking; The engine detail with PE supplied with the kit The office. I decided to use the decal over the IP.....Wish I hadn't! The fus

Thanks Derek. Well the decalling for this one is done! Now I just have to touch up some of the orange in a couple of spots and this one will be almost ready for a wash too.

Here's some further work on the 3 Sqn bird; The 2 OCU bird is almost ready for paint and the 77 Sqn bird is started with the wings & cockpit together Regards Andrew

I know I haven't done an update for a bit but this fuselage required some serious adjusting along the seems and puttying and sanding and puttying and sanding to the point where I managed to get paint on before having to go back and do further puttying and sanding. With some more work yesterday the blemishes have again been sanded back the black added to the nose and range trim areas. These Sabres didn't have black deicing strips on the leading edges hence it looks slightly different to the others; and my 77Sqn Sabre arrived from Hong Kong this morning which means I'm going to add anothe

Thanks fellas Andrew

And this one is now ready for its final cockpit detailing before a gloss coat and wash. Next will be the orange 3 Squadron Sword. Regards Andrew

Have paused on the 75 Squadron Sword as it is only requiring a panel line wash and finish off. I have been working solidly on the 76 Squadron 'Black Panthers' bird so I can get it to the same stage and then I'll do the 3 Squadron then 2OCU 'Marksmen' birds. I had some paint issues with the 76 Sqn plane but it is now sorted just having to do the burnt metal exhaust over the polished aluminium. Here's how it looks; All painted and ready for some decals LHS decalling done! Regards Andrew

Outstanding! Love your work and always enjoy looking in. Regards Andrew

Sorry Phantom, I have been trying to knock over a few other projects. I am also awaiting a resin seat as the kit one isn't up to standards. I'll get into it again soon.......I promise! Regards Andrew

Thanks Derek and Ray. And then.........there was four. This one seemed to go together the easiest......I wonder why? Here's more pics; All in stage position Clockwise from lower left Left to right Right to left Closest to furthest. This last one (closest) will be the 'Marksmen' Sabre Regards Andrew

Thanks fellas. I'm really starting to enjoy the build now however, I need to get a replacement Academy canopy as one has a crack through it. Regards Andrew

Thanks Mike. I got a coat of paint onto the 76 Squadron bird today but I'm going to have to go back a do some sanding a filling of some scratches and a seem on the fuselage, unfortunately. Other than that most of the decalling (which is doing my head in) on the 75 Squadron bird is done as is the start of my pilot figure for it. Am awaiting some stuff from the US to complete the cockpit then it'll just about be done; The two painted fusleages. I hope you like the progress and keep looking in. Regards Andrew

Your right Mike. It has something to do with the moulding of the conversion fuselages. The warped one came out of the mould too early from the guy that sells them. Here's progress on the 75 Squadron bird including the Alclad exhaust. Decals will de on tonight or tomorrow. Regards Andrew

The lure of the paint shop got me into giving fuselage one some of its paint. This will be the 75 Squadron 'Black Diamonds' bird. Regards Andrew

Still hoping someone can help out. Regards Andrew

......and then there was three with slow progress on the fourth (replacement) fuselage. The original fuselage was so warped it needed replacement with a new fuselage. Regards Andrew

Here's some further progress starting with the landing lights and intake followed by the tail planes; This is the landing lights and where they have to go. The conversion part shape needs correcting obviously Fitted with the intake cone on. A couple of holes to fill on both sides but otherwise ok. Front on shot showing the small raise in the trunk which will be filled and sanded back for a proper result Difficult to see but the holes are filled on the conversion part for the tail planes Also difficult to see but a .68mm drill bit used to start the clearing process here And

Thanks Curt but I really don't think you'll see it that much when it's all painted and the undercarriage leg is in. Well the second fuselage is closed up. Here's more on how I did it; Part C17 and cutting it to fit top of rear fuselage in front of tail Before and after of the clean up required on the fuselage to fit the cut up C17 part (NB Don't oversize the hole which I did on my first fuselage) Part of C17 fitted to the fuselage Something I didn't foresee as I didn't have this issue with mine is that the engine parts aren't included in the conversion sets so the engine and exha

And some more......