MattN Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 My local hobby shop amazingly got a test shot of the upcoming 1/48 Tamiya F-4B Phantom II and the owner asked me to build to for his shop. So I thought I'd share it with you all. I am not a photographer (using an older smartphone camera) and I've never submitted anything here, but I think you all will enjoy this. I've only assembled a few parts but I am VERY impressed with this kit thus far. The box and photocopied directions so you know I'm not pulling your collective legs (no decals, masks, etc. were included): Nose gear well. Test-fitting the cockpit tub and wheel well into the fuselage. Holding the fuselage halves together. This kit thus far fits REALLLY well. Thus far? This fits like a glove. I'm not the fastest builder, so please be patient 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 I'll be following! It's on my list of possible purchases, so...🤔 have at it sir Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattN Posted May 19, 2021 Author Share Posted May 19, 2021 More cockpit dry-fitting. The engineering is amazing. If you enjoyed the Tamiya F-14A/D kits, you will likely enjoy this just as much. Small sprue gates, the plastic cuts and sands easily, and the parts just *click* into place. The only pin marks I've seen so far will be hidden by the ejection seats. The engines are just as well-engineered. The join between the top and bottom pieces are right along a 'panel line'. And the flame holders and turbines look great too. Sorry, I need a third hand to hold it all together! And this is how they mount to the airframe. They also act like a space to keep everything lined up: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 Thank for take the time to post your build. Looks amazing. Mr.Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 (edited) That's impressive engineering, I love the integration of the spacer function into the exhausts design. I look forward to an E version - I hope Tamiya will do it instead of stopping at one or two versions as they so often do 😕 Edited May 19, 2021 by arnobiz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 Thanks for the update! The Tamiya F-14A was my return to the hobby last year and I absolutely loved it, so far, this looks brilliant😎 Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 Following along : ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 Nice, no hurries, build at the pace you need to fully enjoy this wonderful hobby we love to share with each other. Cheers AFM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattN Posted May 22, 2021 Author Share Posted May 22, 2021 (edited) Some base painting done - here are some cockpit components, the nose wheel well and the engines: The cockpit sidewalls: Test-fitting the tub into the fuselage: Edited May 22, 2021 by MattN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted May 23, 2021 Share Posted May 23, 2021 Nice work so far! Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattN Posted May 27, 2021 Author Share Posted May 27, 2021 (edited) A minor update - fitting the wings and main gear well parts. The main piece is a rather large section, with reinforcing ribs, and it fits quite snugly against the bottom wing. There are some detail parts that slide in, and make up the sidewalls of the wheel wells. There are a few holes to drill out on the bottom wing piece too. Even though it fits well, a few clamps never hurt - keeps it flush and square: The upper wings fit VERY well. The sprue gates, though, are on the mating surface of the bottom wing piece. Take care in removing the stubs and be sure to sand them flush to ensure a good fit. A very nice touch is being able to see the engines, etc. through the doors on the belly of the aircraft. I'm kinda bouncing around here and there, seeing how parts fit, etc. Edited May 27, 2021 by MattN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattN Posted May 30, 2021 Author Share Posted May 30, 2021 (edited) Got some goodies for the F-4B. Been waiting to use these - leaning towards a Black Knights Phantom..... That's gonna be a LOT of stencils.... Edited May 30, 2021 by MattN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattN Posted June 4, 2021 Author Share Posted June 4, 2021 (edited) Some more progress the cockpit is just about done and ready to clear-coat and give it a wash to bring out the details. The airframe is just resting in place. I fiddled with the tailfin too (not glued in place yet either). The flash washes out some details, to be sure - but it gives you an idea: Another view. You can see from the pic that the spine will be a one-piece unit that fits right along the panel lines - clever. Started on the seats too: Edited June 4, 2021 by MattN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted June 4, 2021 Share Posted June 4, 2021 Look’ en good Matt! From what your showing us it looks as if all the parts are falling into place. Keep up the great work. Take care, Mr.Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted June 4, 2021 Share Posted June 4, 2021 Nice work so far! And from what I've heard from various sources, If you liked Tamiya's 1/48 Tomcat, this is even better!!! Loving the work, don't stop! Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
0viking0 Posted June 7, 2021 Share Posted June 7, 2021 (edited) Ejection seats is probably the only thingie that I would replace for sure. Edited June 7, 2021 by 0viking0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattN Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share Posted June 13, 2021 (edited) Much progress on the Tamiya F-4B. The cockpit was given a pin wash using Abteilung oils (Starship Filth), some very light drybrushing, flat-coated, and a fair amount of the airframe is assembled: The tailfin is glued in place (missing a few detail parts). There is a TINY gap along the base, which I can fill with Mr. Surfacer1000 and wipe the excess away with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol: The piece that makes up the underside of the nose, and the nosecone, are not glued in place yet - hence the gaps. Edited June 15, 2021 by MattN typos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattN Posted June 25, 2021 Author Share Posted June 25, 2021 A small update today - been a busy last couple of weeks. The intakes have been fitted. I tried to get some good photos that look down the intakes, but they didn't tun out that well. But there are full-run intakes in there, and engine faces. The seams took a bit of work (sand-putty-paint-sand-putty-paint) and I think they turned out quite well. The stabilizers have been fitted. The are a one-piece unit, that are on poly caps, so they pivot up and down. You have a choice of slotted and non-slotted stabs. They fit into the bottom portion of the aft fuselage, and that assembly fits nicely into the tail. I am using Mr. Surfacer 1000 as my filler, and a LOT of what I have had to use (which hasn't been much) has been removed with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol or lacquer thinner. I've had to do very little sanding on the seams thus far (I take responsibility for any fit issues, the kit really does pretty much fall together). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 I keep telling myself 'you have enough model kits to build for the next 5 to 6 decades' but, when you see this short of craftsmanship on a kit you DEFINITELY got to have it!!!!! Superb kit! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattN Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 (edited) Small update - been busy and haven't had as much time as I want to work on this wonderful kit (plus I am also working on an Italeri M-901 ITV). Added some Eduard PE seatbelts to the kit seats. Don't know if they are 100% accurate, but as far as I can tell, the cockpit really doesn't need anything else! I goofed up one of the kit nozzles, so I took a chance and purchased some KA Models 3D-printed F-4 nozzles (closed) for a different look. I had to thin the edges of the fuselage to get a better fit, and I like the look. Edited July 17, 2021 by MattN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Great photos. After the Roden T28 build I am so ready for something that I do not have to do any carving. Looks like this kit just falls together and I already ordered one. Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 That looks so cool. Lovelly cockpit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dai phan Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Hello there, Does this cockpit need an Eduard PE set? I know I will not be able to paint the instrument panels/consoles that matches the quality of the Eduard's PE set. But how long do I have to wait for it? Dai Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 9 minutes ago, dai phan said: Does this cockpit need an Eduard PE set? I know I will not be able to paint the instrument panels/consoles that matches the quality of the Eduard's PE set. But how long do I have to wait for it? Dai You can do one better than Eduard PE set. https://www.facebook.com/groups/quintamodellingstudio/permalink/1455344634822161/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Flat colored PE is so 2010. Quinta 3D decals are the way to go in 2021 and beyond. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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