Harv

1/32 Academy F-16 as an -A, using the IsraCast conversion set, and a BlackBox 'pit. IsraDecal markings for the Dragon Tail aggressor.

...Really nice build! Saw the finished posting on the Gone But Not Forgotten GB forum - very nice work! Building a Tamiya -J myself, and enjoyed seeing your terrific efforts! BZ

Was accused of not making any progress on my build, but in reality I just haven't posted pictures. Mostly due to not thinking they were of enough interest to merit pictures and taking the time to post. Oh, well - here goes anyway! The good news is that since my last post, my Lucky Models shipment came in, so I have the USMC version of the kit to swap parts with. I can't recall why, buy I'd removed the wing tanks from both of my -J birds in the stash, and need a pair for this build (of course!). So, that was the first order of business from the new kit...pull the wing tanks & start putting

Pretty easy job; use the A tails that you mention are included, and check Dave Roof's pinned thread at the top of this Jet Modeling forum. Based on the BuNo you're modeling, it should give you what you need. Depending upon the timeframe, there may be 'L' braces added on the inboard side of the tails at the base - 3 on each. You may also need to add the small fins fitted to the top of the LEX, just ahead of the tails. The C also has a number of ECM blisters (four, I think?) - two on the upper fuselage (one on each side) above/behind the canopy, and two added to either side of the fuselage near

Umm...Hey, John - am I stating the obvious? Brookhurst Hobbies? Just supposin'...

Cliff, I'm in the midst of an F-4J build as well. I've got a couple of these kits, and a bunch of the CE (and other) resin goodies, as I want to build one as a -B model (2 CE conversion sets plus earlier version seats and the shorter 'burner cans, and appropriate markings). Also have the CE -S mods and markings for another bird. I've got a couple sets of the CE 'seamless' intakes (which have fit issues of their own). The CE J/S 'burner cans are a little nicer than the kit pieces, but seem to be a pretty close copy of the kit plastic, and suffer the same under-size issue, so the Aires cans migh

JMan, you're good...aircraft, squadron, or both is fine. Since VA-87 (now VFA-87) doesn't fly the SLUF anymore, that qualifies your build. The fact that the squadron is 'VFA' now, and not just 'VA' anymore means you've got a double-word score! :lol: Not that THAT means anything... Welcome aboard and have fun-

Dave, your work looks terrific! Can't tell where the plastic ends and the mods start under a coat of paint/primer. Awesome.

Jens- Concur! I don't recall that I've ever actually used intake covers for a model. Wasn't really serious about using them...I actually find doing intakes to be somewhat theraputic in a way; not sure why... Been working away, but haven't taken any shots until this evening. First up, my Squadron order came in yesterday - These really nice Fox One decals will serve as the basis for my "Lovebug 10". Also pulled the TwoBobs missile markings from the stash to properly do-up the two Sparrows planned for the forward missile wells. Did lots of bare metal painting last night & today. The lowe

Cliff, I'll take a shot...For the LE 'bare metal', I usually go with MM 'steel' or Alclad dull aluminum. I think it should be on the 'lighter' side, but not super-shiny. Don't have the answer on the refs for VF-84 in '81; but if it is a gloss gull grey over white or all-over gloss gull grey, I'd say probably the 'bare metal'...I'm sure those here who have more insight will no doubt correct that statement one way or the other. With regard to the Tamiya F-4J, it is fully recessed (nice mold- about 15 years newer than the F-14, [building one now] although like the recessed forward fuselage of

Looking for 1/32 LAU-10 Zuni rocket pods for my GBNF GB - posted on the Arms Trade, too; but if anyone here has a 1/32 Trumpy F-100D with the Navy/Marine style weap that comes with the kit that they won't use, I'm open to trade or purchase... Thanks!

Building an early USMC mud mover Phantom (VFMA-334/F-4J, 1969) from the 1/32 Tamiya kit. Need a couple LAU-10s; I've read that the Trumpeter F-100D Super Sabre kit comes with them (but the USAF a/c didn't ever use this USN/USMC version of the weapon!). If you've got one you'd be willing to sell or trade, please let me know- Thanks! Harv

Terry- DonColor is your friend... Think this is what you are looking for: DonColor F-18 TPS1 1980

It should say on the box where the plastic in the kit was actually manufactured. That may provide a clue as to which company's molds were used.

...Welcome aboard, Jens- Looks like you're off to a flying start- Care to explain a little about how you did the corrugated liner for the exhaust?

Guys, thanks for the comments. John, you crack me up! A little more progress... Been reading a punch list of items to fix on the Tamiya F-4J from the Large Scale Planes webpage (written by Thierry Laurent & Ben Brown). One of the items they mention is how the vents on the variable ramps are the wrong shape...and every F-4 model ever made has them wrong. I'd never noticed the difference before, but looking at the D&S F-4 (Navy/Marine) book by Bert Kinzey, found a couple of pictures that show the correct angle of the vent, and decided it was an easy fix. Here's a picture of the Tamiya

Dave, seems this was a common problem with the CMK conversion; if I recall, when this resin kit came out, there were lots of folks (and maybe an article or two) discussing how the conversion was not a 'drop-in' by any means, and many preferred to stick with the old Hase (ex-ARII?) raised-panel F4U-4 because of the challenges presented by this set. Although it can be made into a beauty in the right hands...and it appears that's where this one is! Keep pluggin!

Looking very nice- Keep it coming! ;)

I've never noticed yellowing for Future applied to my models, BUT I can see yellowing occur with the liquid Future still in the bottle over time. Maybe it is the flourescent lighting over my workbench in the garage? Hadn't heard/thought about the UV angle before.

...VMFA-334 F-4J? Hasn't that already been done by our GB Mod/Leader? Well, yes, but since we all know size is everyting, I was 'induced' to apply my efforts towards a 1/32 model for one of the Vets ThunderGrunt engaged with his 334 double-build. WU 10/ Buno 155739. Probably be a mix of A-A & A-G; since I didn't have a Marines F-4J in my stash, started one of the Tamiya Navy F-4J issues I did have on the shelf already, while waiting for the Marine version I ordered to arrive in the mail. Fox One markings are also on the way; I think the rest will come from the box(es), and spares stash.

Test pic:

Jake, belive it or not, True Details/Squadron makes USAF style F-4 seats in 1/32 that I've read are pretty accurate, not bad castings, and are (relatively speaking) dirt cheap. I picked up a couple sets for about $3 a pair a couple of years ago. Might be worth a look...

Clever! Makes my back ache and my head hurt just to look at it!

If the whole thing is a mistake/typo, then I guess it doesn't matter in the end... However, I can easily see Trumpeter thinking a legacy 1-seater "A/C" Hornet translates across the board to a Super Hornet 1-seater (-E); and so it goes that a 2-seater Navy fighter (F-14) has somehow 'morphed' into the 2-place F-18F. There's also the 'Growler' angle as well...

...Is red Sharpie FS matched??? -I'm a straight MM Insignia Red kinda guy, but like the Sharpie trick for the red door edge markings...nice n clean n easy-