Pete W Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 (edited) Apolgies to anyone that's seen this build before but thought I'd post it on here as it's been a while since I contributed anything meaningful to the forum. This is my take on the Hasegawa RF-4C, decorated in the 'Boss Bird' markings of Col. Otto K Habedank when he was the Commander of the 10th TRW RAF Alconbury UK. This base was a short trip from where I grew up and still live and I have wanted to build this plane for many years, have had the decals for about 20 years but only picked the kit up last year (have since got another 3, so more 10th TRW builds to follow). Having moved to the town of Huntingdon in 1969 aged 8 and a bit and then finding that it had planes flying over it all day from Alconbury or RAF Wyton (equi-distant in opposite direction), I was hooked for life on aviation from that day on and especially the 'Smokie' J-79 powered Phantom II, still my favourite plane 42 years on. I have no excuse for not having committed these decals to plastic a long time ago, other than life got in the way and took me out of modelling for quite a few years. Anyway, enough waffle, on with the build. I added the following to the kit: - Aires - RF-4B Cockpit (converted to 'C' spec with some scratch built extras) Aires - Exhausts (without a doubt the best resin extra I've ever used, they look the business) DMold - Seamless Intakes (very good as well, easy to fit and enhance a poor area of Hasegawa F-4's) Xtradecal - RF-4C 'Starize' decals (behaved superbly but do need to reprint canopy names as supplied ones are wrong colour) Not much to say about the build, it went together pretty well, just needs a bit of care around front end to avoid lots of sanding. The instructions are wrong in a few places though, especially the camera fitment (shows 3 camera's fitted in the low altitude station in a combination that didn't happen). All painting was done using Xtracrylix or Alclad II and then sealed in with Future / Klear. The decals were then applied and again sealed in with Future / Klear. I then weathered it all up with an oily black wash on the exhausts and Pro-Modelllers dark dirt everwhere else. Final coat was Xtracrylic Matt before the last little bits were attached. Hope you like it and comments and critique welcome. Pete. Edited May 8, 2020 by Pete W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 That is an OUTSTANDING , SUPER looking Phantom.. PHANTASTICALLY PHABULOUS... :wub: HOLMES :) :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keith Diamond Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Very nice build up! I like it a lot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MikeC Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Mmmmm, very nice Michael (used to live in St Neots) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott R Wilson Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 (edited) Your model looks really nice. I really like the natural metal area around the exhausts. If you're interested, I photographed 68-0567 a couple of times, and my friend Kevin Foy later photographed it in the same markings your model has. Here is the first photo I took of 567, on April 13, 1984 when it stopped in at Ramstein AB where I was stationed: 68-0567 stopped in at Ramstein again on April 12, 1986. She was wearing the Starize markings, but the tail wasn't yet the same as your decals. Here's two photos I took that day, which was unfortunately overcast: My friend Kevin Foy shot 567 on March 26, 1986 and again on July 13, 1986. Here are his photos: Edited March 17, 2011 by Scott R Wilson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
POMPEO Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 great looking Phantom, really a nice build cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete W Posted March 17, 2011 Author Share Posted March 17, 2011 Thanks guys, much appreciated. Scott - Those photo's are great to see, really appreiciate you posting them. I have 3 more RF-4 kits, one of which will end up in the SEA wrap around scheme and it would be cool to do this same plane in it's earlier guise. I'm sure that I've seen some of Kevin's photo's during my research of this jet. This build really seems to have stirred some good memories up for a few people and I'm extra glad that I made this jet now. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary West Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 I saw this elsewhere but having seen it again here on ARC, can't resist the temptation to comment Pete - that is one super build. Love it :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eric2020 Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Outstanding PHANTOM II!! I like the way you painted it!! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mario krijan Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Fantastic work!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 Very nice job!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 PHANTASTIC! Regards Andrew ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KB1973 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 (edited) My dad was Crew Chief on this very aircraft when it was brand new in '68. Edited October 22, 2019 by KB1973 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JD87 Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 Hi was researching my own F4. I was stationed at Alconbury from 84-86. Awesome jet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Da SWO Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 Phabulus. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Underdog Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 Pete W wrote: I added the following to the kit: - Aires - RF-4B Cockpit (converted to 'C' spec with some scratch built extras) Aires - Exhausts (without a doubt the best resin extra I've ever used, they look the business) DMold - Seamless Intakes (very good as well, easy to fit and enhance a poor area of Hasegawa F-4's) Xtradecal - RF-4C 'Starize' decals (behaved superbly but do need to reprint canopy names as supplied ones are wrong colour) Not much to say about the build, it went together pretty well, just needs a bit of care around front end to avoid lots of sanding. The instructions are wrong in a few places though, especially the camera fitment (shows 3 camera's fitted in the low altitude station in a combination that didn't happen). All painting was done using Xtracrylix or Alclad II and then sealed in with Future / Klear. The decals were then applied and again sealed in with Future / Klear. I then weathered it all up with an oily black wash on the exhausts and Pro-Modelllers dark dirt everwhere else. Final coat was Xtracrylic Matt before the last little bits were attached. Pete, I'm a huge "Phantom Phan," became passionate about the aircraft back in the 70's. You did a very nice job with this model. Really like the build, especially the paint application. Looks like a well-maintained, but utilized operational "Spook." The only gripe I have with the thread are the, Photobucket photos ruined by the jerks at PB. Would be great if you could replace those for our sake! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete W Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 On 4/26/2020 at 9:07 PM, The Underdog said: Pete, I'm a huge "Phantom Phan," became passionate about the aircraft back in the 70's. You did a very nice job with this model. Really like the build, especially the paint application. Looks like a well-maintained, but utilized operational "Spook." The only gripe I have with the thread are the, Photobucket photos ruined by the jerks at PB. Would be great if you could replace those for our sake! Hi Underdog, This one's a real trip down memory lane. I can't believe how long ago this build was. I couldn't find the original photo's so took some more, a little bit of dust after 9 years but surprisingly not too bad. Dragging this one out of the cabinet has made me want to build another Alconbury RF-4C now. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Underdog Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Pete W said: Hi Underdog, This one's a real trip down memory lane. I can't believe how long ago this build was. I couldn't find the original photo's so took some more, a little bit of dust after 9 years but surprisingly not too bad. Dragging this one out of the cabinet has made me want to build another Alconbury RF-4C now. Pete Hello Pete, I'm sure it was somewhat of an effort, but thank you so much for the newly updated photos of this "Phabulous Phantom!" I can't stand what PB has done to their clients, by applying that ridiculous Banner across the photos. Anyway, once again thanks for replacing the photos - I can understand why you'd get "The Bug" for wanting to build another Alconbury Spook... we'll be waiting and watching! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Mark Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 Wow the colour scheme and subtle weathering on this build is outstanding, very well done! 👊 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bravosierra001 Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 Nice looking RF-4!! Brandon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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