RichB63

@Gene K & @A-10 LOADER Thanks for rattling my cage. I do have some time off from work next month, part of which I’ve set aside for modeling. So stay tuned for an update in the coming weeks! Regards, Rich

Great stuff Bryan, Thanks again for yet another comprehensive installment in the series! You are fast becoming the "Dana Bell" of ejection seats: an undisputed subject matter expert providing an invaluable service to the modeling community! I salute you! Rich

“Honey I shrunk the Escape Capsule!” Yikes, how did that pass QC?

Hi Gene…and Happy New Year! Sadly, nothing new on the Phantom front. Happy to see that ZM is doing a Weasel lV. I’m curious to see the new parts up close! Thanks for checking in. Hopefully, I can locate some modeling mojo soon! Rich

Good catch! @eraucubsfan made the same observation a while back on the Caracal sub forum. I'm no Viper expert, but from what I've gleaned, there are several airframes still awaiting the cockpit upgrade, including 91-0395. -Rich

I love it! Great job Greg! -R

https://www.michtoy.com/series-VMS Vantage Modelling Solutions.html

At one time, the National Museum of the USAF had a “Cockpit360” feature that provided up close panoramic interior views of several of their aircraft, including the F-4G. But last I checked, it was unavailable.

ARC Walkarounds: http://www.arcair.com/awa01/101-200/awa163-F-4G-Chin/00.shtm http://www.arcair.com/awa02/1001-1100/awa1001-F-4-Wilson/00.shtm Jake Melampy’s (hard-to-find) book on USAF Phantoms might be the best single source for cockpit coverage. hth, Rich

Check out this pic…https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/549937 (Kit part might be over scale)

Hi Greg, For the jet you are modeling, leave off part U4. This particular air data probe was moved to the tail on some jets, including 160024. On the other hand, part U10, I believe should be present on your jet, even if it’s not discernible in all pictures. HTHs, Rich

Wow! What a great achievement! Rich

I feel silly for bringing it up…it’s a little thing. And either way, you’re going to turn out a great looking model! Rich

Greg, Part C22 should be omitted. Sorry for not pointing it out sooner!

Looks great Greg! Magic Factory would have you install two radar altimeter fairings under the wings. In fact, only one should be present (on the LH side).

Love it!

Interestingly, it’s the least expensive of the 3 in Tamiya’s range.

73-0100 August 1, 1975 at Lambert Field St. Louis, before delivery to the 555th TFS. Photo by Ron Downey

Agree with Jim…last blue TF-15A was 73-0114. The next two-seater off the assembly line was 74-0137, which was delivered in ghost grays. Incidentally, 73-0114 was the last TF produced with a spine along the speedbrake. Other changes beginning with the FY74 jets (the two-seaters) included the adoption of “skinny” counterbalance weights atop the RH vertical stab and aerodynamic plates near the aft Sparrow missile stations. Pictures from late 1975 to early 1976:

These include stencils… https://www.caracalmodels.com/cd48022.html

Another offering… https://www.ebay.com/itm/226466998062?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yhe-2vdjrsu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=gxvhQlnOQ5O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

https://spruebrothers.com/sbdnats2024-ipms-usa-2024-national-convention-decals-all-american-red-white-and-blue-1-48-f-14a-f-4j-f-16c-f-35a-1-35-ww2-us-army-insignia-from-d-day-landing/ https://the48ers.com/ipms-usa-2024-national-convention-decals-all-american-red-white-and-blue.html https://www.rare-planedetective.com/product_p/ipms2024.htm

I tried it. It works!

Another stunner! Congratulations Steve…and thanks for sharing your outstanding work here! Rich

Bryan…I can’t thank you enough for your contributions. Happy to see the administrators have pinned this thread for posterity’s sake. -Rich