Gene K

Uwe, I can send one -- PM me. Ben, do you know off the top of your head which Has kits so I don't have to open too many (I have a pretty good collection ). Gene K

Thanks, Ben. Excellent ref. Gene K

Great -- I need a couple, including one for this (Italeri new?): Gene K (sorry about dup picture -- can't edit out)

Hilarious. Gene K

I obviously don't have your insight or tolerance, but if indeed they are "commissioned builds", it's unacceptable that major mistakes were made. Considering that those builds are the first impression that most of us get of this long-in-development kit, the "professional" builders should have been even more professional than usual! Lack of time should not be an acceptable excuse under these first-look circumstances. Gene K

Well, that clears it up. Gene K

As usual, I look forward to your comments when you get the kit (I assume you will get it?). Gene K

They may not be good enough, but there are rough scans at the bottom of this webpage. Gene K

You obviously know your Phantom "stuff", Jonathan. Thanks for all the links -- new sites I can explore. Gene K

I think misunderstandings arise differentiating "slots" from "bays". Gene K EDIT: Opps, Ben. Sent the same time as yours.

I rather think those extended-shipping-time-vendors are betting on the come -- speculating that the product will "soon" become available (since they don't yet have it), and that they will then be able to get it to their paid up customers within in the long lead time given. And if they don't make that time frame, what do they have to lose -- they already have your money? Gene K

Great build and presentation ... thanks, Darren. Too bad there wasn't more room in the magazine for the finishing phase. Should have been a feature two-parter. Gene K

Cheap shot! Gene K

You mean here? http://www.millcreekconsultants.com/WP72-22.html Ordered. Gene K

Gadzooks! (insert facepalm here). Gene K

Goodness gracious, Gary -- what is that supposed to mean???? Phantom crews of all services very capably flew all types of "air strikes", both scheduled as well as from the alert pad. I especially point to the VietNam in-country based 12th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cam Rahn Bay. Again ???? - Since you covered USAF as well as USN, your memory/experience appears extremely limited as USAF Phantoms regularly dropped Snakeyes during that time period. Gene K

Nice collection, Mark! The FJ-2 and WB-50 are particularly attractive to me. Gene K

It also "suffers" from poorly shaped and positioned intakes, the vertical stabilizer top is excessively sloped, and the tanks are too skinny and pointed, for starters. The plastic, engraving, and engineering, however, are superb. Gene K

Thanks. However, I've NEVER seen any "broke off" -- EVER (maybe "squished and squashed" a little). Just out of curiosity - appears you were a mechanic, so could you share your experience with the Phantom? Gene

OK, I'll bite ... how do you know? Which "masts" are you talking about -- the wings' or fuselage ... or something else?????? On operational aircraft???? Gene K

It's very impressive that you apparently have such unrestricted access to guarded intelligence. Gene K

When I was living In Oklahoma, I used to see Robert Brown at many of the shows from Texas to Missouri. He was from Wichita -- really nice guy!! Don't know what caused his passing, but he was only mid aged. Gene K

I need to check my resin pile since I used to buy Seamless Suckers. I had always hoped someone like XMM would come out with a complete, correct seamless intake for the Fujimi kit. Since that was over a decade ago, hope has died. chek, know of any workarounds for the Fujimi intakes that include the shoulder slope? Getting back to the Airfix kit, looks like the Fujimi intake piece with the vents could be made to fit and a cast made. I'll donate the pieces, Jeffrey! Gene K

Thanks for the great ref shots, chek -- invaluable for this kit!! Murph, every time I pick the kit up again, I agree with you more and more about it not meeting standards. Could you give me a link, please, to the thread in which you're discussing the Phantom on Britmodeller? Think I'll hold off on further purchases for now and open up my large stash of Fujimi kits to check for cross kitting ideas like flaps, intakes, radar, front windscreen, and interior. As an aside, Fujimi TERs are first rate in my opinion, as are the FGR.2 pods -- agree chek? Jeffrey, ar

Thanks, Bill. Well ... I'm REALLY( !) trying to like this kit, but the fit is challenging. I don't mind fitting, sanding, fitting, sanding ... but I was expecting more considering the state of art molding one sees with, for example, Academy "click" fits. I think the soft fit is a result of the very soft Airfix plastic. In short, it's a modeler's model kit. Stefan, yes those are missing, but so are the even more prominent ones on the top and bottom of the intakes. Thankfully it should not be hard for an aftermarket company (like Jeffrey's Hyperson