vegasken

Thanks for that info Quixote, interesting to read the background behind the Esci kit. I don't find the Esci F-111 too bad. I have the Hasegawa kit and that one is next on my build list so it will be interesting to compare. The Esci cockpit is pretty sparse so I've been doing some scratchbuilding to try to dress it up a little.

Funny you mention part 6E. I was just looking for the E sprue last night and noticed that it was missing. The kit that I have was purchased with all of the sprues out of the bags, so I assumed that sprue E was lost. After looking at my WAPJ reference though, it does not appear that all F-111's had that UHF/VHF antenna installed. I don't think the F-111A had it. I think it was a mistake in the Esci instructions for the 111A. Hopefully a F-111 expert will chime in with the correct answer as to whether or not the 111A had that antenna. The biggest issues I have dealt with is fixing the rear

Ok I think I've got the rear end sorted out with some styrene shims and such.

LOL you guys need to let me know which old kits you want me to start so that mid-build a better kit will get re-released or released. I have a habit of doing this.

Ikar thanks for the input! I don't think that the Esci decals look useable so I'm looking now for some markings for a F-111A. The Caracal F-111A sheet looks really nice so I may order that one and choose one of those that was in Combat Lancer in 1968.

Thanks Paul, I think I've got it sorted out with some shims and such. I'll try to post some pictures later. I found another guy who had the same problem here: https://www.rocketpunch.biz/wip-italeri-ef111a-raven-1/ so it was nice to know that I wasn't alone in noticing it.

Sorry I put this in the wrong forum. Please delete

I'm part way through this 1/72 Esci F-111A build and was going to attach the rear splitter plate until I noticed how it mated with the horizontal stabilizer. As is it leaves a huge gap between the rudder and the rear end. Looking at pictures it appears to me that there should be no gap back there. All I can think to do is angle the rear plate so that it is flat with the rest of the plane and then add styrene to the bottom of the rudder and fill in the gap in the bottom of the splitter plate. Has anyone else noticed this problem with this kit? Thanks in advance for any advice or input!

I'm part way through this 1/72 Esci F-111A build and was going to attach the rear splitter plate until I noticed how it mated with the horizontal stabilizer. As is it leaves a huge gap between the rudder and the rear end. Looking at pictures it appears to me that there should be no gap back there. All I can think to do is angle the rear plate so that it is flat with the rest of the plane and then add styrene to the bottom of the rudder and fill in the gap in the bottom of the splitter plate. Has anyone else noticed this problem with this kit? Thanks in advance for any advice or input!

GW8345 has very kindly helped me find some decals, thanks again. I'll do my best to pay it forward!

Hi all, I'm at the finish line with a 1/72 Esci F-4C/J kit that I'm building in the F-4J VMFA-232 "Red Devils" scheme. I'm at the decal stage and am finding the the Esci decals with the kit are worthless, not even Solvaset or Tamiya Strong will get them to do anything. If anyone has the decal sheet from the Academy F-4J "Red Devils" kit that they are not going to use or any other aftermarket VMFA-232 sheet I'll gladly pay. I've already got the tail painted red and I don't want to go through the hassle of stripping the paint and changing it. I'm in Las Vegas, NV 89123. Thanks! Ken

Wow that looks great, good job!

Thanks for that link Andy, that answers my question.

I saw this kit today at Hobby Lobby but I cannot find any information on it's origins. Scalemates doesn't trace it to any particular mold and I can't find any reviews of it or screenshots of the sprues. Does anyone know anything about this kit? Is it the 2022 Revell/Germany mold or maybe the Academy mold? Thanks for any information any of you has! Ken