Darren Roberts

That's the beauty of the Monogram kit. It's just about spot-on when it comes to outline.

Unfortunately, there's no getting around that. The best thing to do is to you use masking tape on either side of the seam, putty the seam, sand it, and then take off the tape. You will lose the lines going across the seam, but there's a solution for that. Run tape across where the panel lines were, lining the tape up with the existing panel lines on either side, and run your hobby knife across the seam. While it makes a gouge, it also creates a ridge of plastic. Once painted, you can't tell the difference. Does that make sense?

Funny you should mention that. I'm working on an article for FSM right now. I'm going to start a series on building classic kits, and the Monogram Phantom is the first one up. It will be published sometime next year, as it's going to be used as a kick-off of sorts for people to send in pictures of their Monogram builds to celebrate when Monogram was king. At least that's the plan! I'd love to post pictures, but I'd get in trouble. 🙂

I built the Cougar. If the Panther is anything like the Cougar, it's a joy to build. It's as good as an injection-molded plastic kit.

You will completely and utterly enjoy the build. It's an engineering marvel. Everything you need is in the box. If you have any questions as you build, just ask (I'd start a separate thread, since it might go unnoticed in this one) and you should get an answer. There are quite a few people on this board that are knowledgeable about the F-14. In regards to decal sheets, check for Fightertown and Furball sheets. They are readily available. Twobobs also had a couple of sheets.

I believe the Hobbycraft kit is the same as the Trumpeter. kit.

Thanks for taking the credit. You deserve it. I love the term you coined. Now I need to remember to give you credit from now on!

Sorry about that. It's the early vent. Quickboost really needs to make a NACA vent. I don't think I can do the grill on the back end justice on the NACA vent.

Steel Beach has a new set that should fit a bit better. I integrated most of the kit part, so all you do is make one small cut and the rest is drop fit.

That's not a bad idea.

1/48 Monogram F-4J Phantom II: This is part of my series of building a 1/48 Phantom from each manufacturer completely OOB. The Monogram kit still holds up nicely after 35 years. Only because of the new releases of Academy and ZM does it get knocked down to #4. It was also released as C/D. The C/D is actually more accurate, as the J has a number of items that didn't get changed when the released it. Most notably are the wheels, which are still AF style, as well as the sidewall detail in the cockpit. With some time and patience, this can be built up into an extremely attractive finished model. Someone once said that of all the Phantoms, the Monogram kit has more "Phantomness" than any other. I tend to agree with that.

Ah, so I wasn't (too) crazy. 😊

This! I've always wanted to do something like that and make a "scene" if they try to move it, just be cantankerous. 😊

I can't argue with that. Thanks! White it is.

I can see white as well to show hydraulic fluid leaks. Somewhere in the deep recessed of my memory I thought I had heard it was the fuselage color.