RKic Posted May 2, 2013 Share Posted May 2, 2013 (edited) I recently purchased this kit specifically for this GB, as I would like to build it within the company of experts who can hopefully help me build a nicer model. Upon opening the box I was very happy to see the myriad small parts and fine moulding. This is going to be a FUN build! What is most impressive is the small arsenal of plastic weapons that Academy gives you. You get the following: AIM-9D X4 AIN-9E X4 AIM-9H X4 AIM-9L X4 AIM-9N X4 gun pod x1 ECM of some sort X1 Two styles of AIM-7 (x4 each) I don't know which they are though. and MK-82 (with standard pointed fuse) x12 You also get two wing tanks, one center-line tank, two TERs for the inboard pylons and two MERs for the outboard pylons. The weapons look nice when built up. Here are a few examples. If somebody from Hasegawa is reading this, I want you to take note: MODELERS APPRECIATE THIS!!! Academy will keep on getting my hard earned dollar with little bonuses like this. :thumbsup:/> I'm not sure exactly how I'll load my phantom up just yet, but I'm thinking two sparrows in the rear trays, the CL, 4 AIM9s and maybe 12 MK 82s on outboard MERs? Edited May 3, 2013 by RKic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted May 3, 2013 Author Share Posted May 3, 2013 Here is my provisional weapons loadout. I built the inboard pylons, and I'll probably put TERs on the outer pylons. Fit of the center-line tank wasn't perfect, but the four piece pylons fit perfectly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted May 5, 2013 Author Share Posted May 5, 2013 (edited) I finished the cockpit as provided by Academy. It isn't anything to write home about. But once I add the seats and some wires and hoses, it should be suitably busy. Edited May 5, 2013 by RKic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 A bit more progress. I assembled the main landing gear legs/wing. After reading Harald's notes about the fragile plastic, I was a bit concerned that the thin actuator arms might break as I was cutting them from the sprue, but everything went well. Still, I'm not thrilled that the kit was engineered in such a way that the gear legs have to be installed so early. Granted, it's all going to be white, but knowing myself, the leg might get caught by an errant sleeve, or bumped against the edge of the desk. So, while it's all intact :) , a quick picture. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netz Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Here is my provisional weapons loadout. I built the inboard pylons, and I'll probably put TERs on the outer pylons. You might want to keep those inboard, they didn't hang them out there. Curt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 (edited) You might want to keep those inboard, they didn't hang them out there. Curt Yes they did. I'll find some pics when I get home from work. Edit. Got home and did some digging on my HDD, so here are some pics, none of which are obviously mine, but they'll prove it happened. Edited May 8, 2013 by Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted May 9, 2013 Author Share Posted May 9, 2013 Pete, thanks very much for those! Some more progress today. I glued in the intakes and exhausts. The Intakes are not seamless, but good enough for my needs. They're designed with a forced-perspective making them look deeper than they are. Some purists may not like it, but illusion is an important part of modeling as far as I'm concerned. [url The exhaust pieces are quite nice looking. Here is my take on the rear face portion. Next step is to begin assembling the fuselage. Woohoo!!! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 So far, so good. B) All of the major fuselage joints went together nicely. I'll need to do some light sanding on the area where the forward fuselage pan meets the wing area, but I don't expect any major reconstructive surgery to be required. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netz Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Damn Pete, it never fails, I looked at every book and tec article I had and could not find one pic..... Curt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted May 12, 2013 Author Share Posted May 12, 2013 I got the intakes on. They fit pretty good for phantom intakes. They'll need a touch of cleanup at the rear end. [/url] More problematic might be the small steps that formed where the intake meets the fuselage bottom plate (where the grey part meets the white). They'll need to be sanded and faired in, but I'll lose a lot of surface detail, so I'm not looking forward to this part of the build. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted December 2, 2013 Author Share Posted December 2, 2013 Still plugging away at this one. 1/48 is not really my scale of choice for large aircraft such as this, but this really is such a beautiful kit. The project has become something of a long term relaxation job. One bit at a time, when the mood strikes me (I'm not sure why I can't convince myself to treat all my modeling this way). Estimated time of completion? Don't know, don't care. some details Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kurnass77 Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Wow mate, your model look beautiful! Take all the time you need to finish it,the final result is the more important thing for a model! Cheers, Giann. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mingwin Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 thanks for posting update! your model looks really great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. Idacavage Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Outstanding work! I have not been tempted to get the Academy Phantom kits, but after seeing your F-4B and a few others, I am really tempted. Well done! Have fun modeling Mike :cheers:/> Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted December 5, 2013 Author Share Posted December 5, 2013 thanks guys :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 Alright. The main airframe is generally done. I still need to add some small details like aerials, speed breaks, paint the wing lights, and add the canopies. Would be nice if the pilots had something to sit on too :) Then weapons....it's like a whole other kit! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 10.5 months later, still on the go. Its a bit too weathered for a CAG bird, but otherwise it was all looking too...plastic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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