11bee Posted August 21, 2022 Share Posted August 21, 2022 (edited) For the last year, I've been plugging away on this kit. It's by far the biggest, most involved build I've ever done. Between fixing issues with the basic Tamiya kit (removed and re-scribing / riveting the dozen or so raised patches on the fuselage that don't belong there, rebuilding the air intake trunks and a hundred other items) to adding details (probably have close to a thousand tiny bits added to the wheel wells, cockpits, TER / MER), adding aftermarket items (M117 bombs, Mk 5 ejection seats, Quinta instrument panels, Brassin AIM-7/9's), GT Resin exhausts), I'm quite shocked that I'm getting close to the finish line I'm replicating a very beaten-up F-4C that was part of the famous Operation Bolo. These jets were all delivered in the original Navy gull grey / white scheme and were quickly repainted by contractors when the USAF switched over to the SEA scheme (during this painting, most of the topside stencils were never reapplied). For these early jets, they were left in their original gloss white undersides, with a hundred or so warning / caution markings, while the topsides were painted using non-spec paint that weathered extremely quickly. Couple that with touchups being done by squadron personnel using whatever paint was available (include good old dark OD) and these jets had some amazingly weird paint schemes. Anyway, that's it for the intro, if you want to follow my build in detail, it's all over on LSP. Here's the original 589, the rest are various pictures of my progress. Note the crazy multi-colored paint scheme, a mix of white and light grey codes on the tail, the asymmetric weapons load and the overall OD external tanks. Yes, the AIM-7's on these jets did get pretty dirty (I subsequently toned down the scratches on the fins though) Nothing bugs me more than a weathered jet with immaculate bombs. These things were very well beaten up before getting loaded on the jet. I also added the fuse safety/arming wires that often get overlooked. About 35 extra bits added to the TER Loaded up. I've got pictures of this weapons loadout. Also note the green camo'd QRC-160 ECM pod. The underside of the these jets were filthy. Added a bunch of wiring / hydraulic lines in the main gear bays and detailed the interior of the aux air intakes. Note the crazy mix of weathered paint, touchups with fresh paint, including whatever the crew chief could get his hands on. That's it, thanks for looking. Edited August 21, 2022 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Looking good. You always put a lot of exceptional work into your builds and the results are amazing. Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 11bee, You are the Master! Beautiful work. Lots of detail. I love it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Very nice! Love the weathered bombs, they really fit well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Looks the part. Great work. Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vonjhn68 Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Fantastic work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Nice work. Love that camo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted September 4, 2022 Author Share Posted September 4, 2022 (edited) Thanks guys. Been spending time in the WSO's cockpit. Added the upper IP (front side is from Quinta, replaced all of the backside instrument housings with correctly shaped ones, added a bunch of Airscale placards, wiring, fittings, etc. On the aft bulkhead, added the canopy locking hook and it's spring, the canopy air line connector for and a bunch of electrical lines. Slowly getting this area to look as "busy" as the real thing. Also did some weathering on the intake / foward fuselage upper surfaces to replicate the scuffs from crew and pilot's combat boots. Edited September 9, 2022 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted September 4, 2022 Share Posted September 4, 2022 Very nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kellyF15 Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 Very beautiful work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted September 8, 2022 Share Posted September 8, 2022 Great work on your distressed paint and nicely researched build. This should be another great reveal. Mr.Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eastern Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 Bombshell Phantom! Absolutely amazing! You are not only a Master Modeler but also a Great Artist that you show a top notch skill of panting and weathering. As for the cockpit, it looks like a downscaled real thing. Bravo! Cheers and happy modeling! Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 Very nice result, well done! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted October 24, 2022 Author Share Posted October 24, 2022 (edited) Thanks very much guys. Finally got a chance to do some work on the Phantom recently. Added as many details as I could to the area between the cockpits and the aft bulkhead of the WSO's pit. Here's the real thing: I've already started to tone down some of the scuff marks on the upper intakes and cockpit edges. Getting there... Edited October 24, 2022 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted December 28, 2022 Author Share Posted December 28, 2022 Almost done. Lots of details added to the canopies and inner wing fold areas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 (edited) Awesome work, very nice Phantom! Edited December 28, 2022 by BastianD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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