Dutch Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 Here's a link (ThisDayInAviation) with several early (1961/62) F-110A (exF4H-1) 149405/06 photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 (edited) There were actually three different F-110A/F-4C lt grey & white color shemes. The photo above & below (circa Jan 1962) is the first one used by the two Navy F4H-1 borrowed machines, 149405/06 and features the buzz number on the inside/underside of the engine panels and large TAC badge with gold lightning bolt. The next scheme (from March 1962) on 405/406 featured the fuselage U.S. AIR FORCE title slight larger and moved to the center of the fuselage with the FJ-405/6 buzz number at the rear and still on the underside. Large TAC Badge & gold lightning bolt remains on tail, but McDonnell F-110A is missing from both sides of the nose. The initial F-4C delivery scheme featured the star & bar moved to the center of the red turbine stripe, buzz number in the center and U.S.AIR FORCE title moved to the foward fuselage / intake and smaller TAC Badge with yellow lightning bolt. Notice that in all cases the outer wing tanks are the McDonnell style. (Thanks to Stefan for keeping me straight!) Edited February 28, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Boyer Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Great shots, Dutch! Was the name "Spectre" ever applied to the F-110A nose "art" before the "Phantom II" legend was applied? Here's my Fujimi model, done before Hasegawa came out with their kit: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 (edited) 15 hours ago, Paul Boyer said: Great shots, Dutch! Was the name "Spectre" ever applied to the F-110A nose "art" before the "Phantom II" legend was applied? Paul, While the Air Force called the F-110A the "Spectre," I am not sure it ever was applied to the nose of an early F-110A. There may have been a naming ceremony at McDonnell, but I am still looking for photos. The F-110A designation only lasted from 24 Jan 62 until 18 Sep 62 when the service designations were changed, and the USAF designation became F-4C and the name reverted to Phantom II. K/r, Dutch [PS: Nice model, btw. I did a very bad one in 1/72 using the Revell F-4B kit with old ESCI F-5A TAC decals. Not accurate, but I didn't care about the serials back then, I just wanted that TAC lightning bolt on the tail! circa 1978] Edited February 28, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 (edited) Notice that this photo says F-110A, but adds Phantom II! So this must have been one of the early F4H-1 borrowed from the Navy, prior to delivery of F-4Cs in 1963. Now that I look more closely, the top photo shows F-110A 149406 and it certainly appears that "Phantom II" is painted below the "F-110A." So maybe the Spectre name was a paper name only and never applied to the aircraft? Edited February 27, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 It’s hard to see, but even in this video showing them painting the USAF markings on the first F-110A, it looks like “Phantom II” was under the designation on the nose. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 I will definitely do this - the next "The Early Days" sheet after the upcoming Tomcat one will be the Phantom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 (edited) So after watching that neat little video, it begs the questions; blue or black? From the color photos above, I am pretty sure the "McDonnell F-110A Phantom II" is black. However, what color are the U.S. AIR FORCE, USAF, 49405/6 & buzz number? Blue or black? The anti-glare panel is green, not olive green like F-105s, but more a forest green. And that TAC lightning bolt is definitely gold. Hmmm, curiouser and curiouser. Edited February 28, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 (edited) Just a note about the subtle differences on the early F-110A/F-4C aircraft. F-110As 149405/6 were both F4H-1 (F-4Bs) when bailed to the USAF. So, that means thin wings, skinny tires, no flight controls in the rear cockpit, USN style inner pylons and fuel tanks, slab (unslotted) stabilizer, and USN carrier landing lights on the nose wheel door. Look at the photos above. Note that in the photo of F-4C 63-7478, the aircraft has the thick wing, wide tires, USAF style double landing lights on the nose wheel door, and a black anti-glare panel, (can't see the stabilizer or rear cockpit). From Jeff Baugher's Phantom webpage: the following USN F-4B serials were loaned to the USAF. "29 F-4Bs were loaned to the U. S. Air Force in support of that service's plan to acquire the Phantom as its primary fighter aircraft under the designation F-110. These included BuNos 149405, 149406, 150480, 150486, 150493, 150630, 150634, 150643, 150649, 150650, 150652, 150653, 150994, 150995, 150997, 150999, 151000, 151002/151004, 151006, 151007, 151009, 151011, 151014, 151016, 151017, 151020, and 151021. These were temporarily assigned the USAF serials 62-12168/12196. Although they were marked as F-110, they retained their F-4B designations." @KursadA, I am not sure which F-110A decals you intend to do, probably just 149405/6 with F-110A nose titles? That's okay with me. If so, then the early production F-4Cs may not be a candidate for this sheet. In fact, I think Xtradecal or another UK based decal producer has created early USAFE grey/white F-4C/D/RF-4C markings. Warbird did release 1:48 F-110A decals with USMC VMFA-321 markings, but neither set is truly accurate, both have omissions and a funky font / blue color on the Xtradecal set. SO, I am really looking forward to this sheet. K/r, Dutch Edited March 19, 2020 by Dutch corrected slotted stab to unslotted stab Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 17 minutes ago, Dutch said: Just a note about the subtle differences on the early F-110A/F-4C aircraft. F-110As 149405/6 were both F4H-1 (F-4Bs) when bailed to the USAF. So, that means thin wings, skinny tires, no flight controls in the rear cockpit, USN style inner pylons and fuel tanks, slotted stabilizer, and USN carrier landing lights on the nose wheel door. Look at the photos above. Note that in the photo of 63-7478, the aircraft has the thick wing, wide tires, USAF style double landing lights on the nose wheel door, and a black anti-glare panel, (can't see the stabilizer). K/r, Dutch Hi, I'm pretty sure that 149405/06 had unslotted stabilisers at that time. Slotted stabilisers were an item that was retro-fitted to F-4B's starting around 1967. The thin metal strip that we see on the leading edge of the stabs of these F-110's was just Coroguard. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 28, 2020 Author Share Posted February 28, 2020 (edited) I am traveling at the moment, but will upload photos of the Brigade and Falcon 1/48 F4H-1 sets when I return in a couple of days. K/r, Dutch Edited March 3, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tailspin Turtle Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 On 2/15/2020 at 11:00 AM, Mike J. Idacavage said: Hi Kursad! (145313)? While this was a late F-4A, to all extents it was a F-4B in configuration so can be built in both 1/72 and 1/48 using existing kits. The markings are standard very early NAVY markings for the F-4B with the exception of the NASA tail marking seen in the hanger photo. There is a cool story about one of its missions which was to fly a container of frogs in the back seat for research on weightlessness. Not only is this a very unusually marked Phantom but it is a can't resist model for we NASA aircraft fans! Have fun modeling Mike The F-4A inlet ramps were notably different from the F-4B’s. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) Here is a quick synopsis of the Brigade 1/48 F4H-1 prototype conversion. It is designed to be used with the Academy F-4B kit. Photo #0. Edited March 1, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) The Academy F-4B or B/N kit upper forward fuselage is removed flush with the intake line, Step A. Photo #1. Edited March 19, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 The new resin cockpit is glued to the kit lower forward fuselage, Step B, inserting the resin McDonnell ejection seat. It requires the use of the kit forward instrument panel. Photo #2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 Then this assembly is attached to the resin forward fuselage, Step C. I would strongly suggest test fitting all three major components repeatedly until a proper fit is achieved. Photo #3. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 Once the forward fuselage is assembled, it is mated to the rear fuselage and wings and the resin curved intakes are attached, Step D. Photo #4. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 Step E has you adding your choice of two cockpit combings, a beautifully clear flush canopy and the resin pilot boom. Photo #5. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) Step F covers the tail cap, arrestor hook with fairing and over wing perforated spoilers. Photo #6. Edited March 1, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 Lastly, a very nice four view painting guide and Cartograph decals for the prototype F4H-1 142259a are provided. Photo #7. The only error I can find is that the painting guide has you paint the wing, stabilizer and tail tips international orange as a thin edge with too shallow of an arc. It almost appears to be a straight line on the guide. In actual photos, the orange edges are much wider and the arc is more pronounced. Three thin white arc decals (#2,3,4) are provided for the nose radome, however the white stripes on the nose probe must come from the spares bin, or be masked and painted separately. I will preview the Falcon vacuform set next. K/r, Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 Thanks for the comprehensive review, Dutch. It does look like a fine conversion set. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 Falcon (NZ) offers Triple Conversion VI in 1/48th scale, featuring vacuformed white plastic and clear canopies for a F-106B & F4H-1 prototype(*) and just a new nose for a F-105B. [(*) also includes the IR seeker for F4H-1F. ] The suggested base kits are: Monogram F-105D & F-106A and the Hasegawa F-4B/N. I can't fit the whole front page here, but have include the banner. Photo #1. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) For sake of brevity and to remain on topic, I only include the F4H-1 instructions & diagram below. Photo #2/#3/#4. Edited March 1, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) Now for the Falcon plastic and clear canopy. Note the later style bulged air scoops (as opposed to the early NACA style flush scoops on the two F4H-1 Prototypes) and IR seeker for the F4H-1F in the upper right. Also note that this set requires the use of the kit forward windscreen piece and that Falcon provides cockpit canopies and rear flush combing. No decals are included with this set. Photo #5/#6. Edited March 1, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 1, 2020 Author Share Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) My intent is to build F4H-1 145310 all bombed up with 22 MK.82s (taken from 2x Otaki early F-16 kits.). This airframe requires the IR seeker, 24 in. nose radome, long nose probe, bulged scoops, flush canopy and straight intakes with flush tops. I will probably use the Brigade forward fuselage / seat, Master B-58 brass pitot with the added IR seeker by Falcon and scoops from either the kit or Falcon. I haven't decided how to tackle the intakes yet. Right now I have a Hasegawa F-4B/N kit, but may get an Academy kit instead. Dunno, yet. If I do get an Academy kit, I will probably use the Hasegawa F-4B/N for the F-110A. I really want to get that TAC lightning bolt on an F-4. Edited March 19, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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