Phil not the one already used Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 I'm thoroughly enjoying building the Tamiya F-4B as a Navy jet. I'd like to build a Marine phantom early-ish in Vietnam. I'm assuming this kit is fine for that? What is a good reference work on the phantom to have? The Melampy book doesn't seem to be obtainable nowadays. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 (edited) The Tamiya kit is certainly suitable for a USMC Phantom. Antenna configurations and seats might require alteration for an early (pre 1968) airframe. Excellent decal options available here: http://aoadecals.com/48.htm The Melampy book is great, but it only covers Air Force Phantoms. Here’s a link to another great book, put together with modelers in mind, that covers Navy/Marine Tombs: https://www.dacoproducts.com/KDCB004.php hth’s! Edited March 22 by RichB63 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tank Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 9 hours ago, RichB63 said: Excellent decal options available here: http://aoadecals.com/48.htm 👍👍 Another good option is Furball Decals https://www.furballaero-design.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=48-012 Cannot go wrong with either company. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Weasel V Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 I've found the Osprey Combat Aircraft #94 US Marine Corps F-4 Phantom II Units of the Vietnam War https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/us-marine-corps-f4-phantom-ii-units-of-the-vietnam-war-9781849087513/ to be a handy reference. It should be still available so search around for a copy at a lower price. Another vote for both the AoA and Furball sheets. To expand your choice from just the single fin cap configuration in the Tamiya kit, Flying LeatherNecks Scale Creations have three variations https://www.flyingleathernecksdecals.com/search?query=fin+cap He also has multiple suitable ordnance options I suggest you also look at the Hypersonic Models sensor pods and early McDonnell 370 gallon tanks plus, if you choose a pre-1968 subject, the Mk5 seats which were installed until the Mk7 seats found in the kit replaced them: https://www.hypersonicmodels.com/results/1/1/20?sCriteria=f-4b&sSearchButton=Go&sSearch=Search Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Illu Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Lots of the early ones had the IR seeker in the fairing below the radome (which never worked as advertised). Tamiya doesn’t include that in the box. Not all B’s left the line with it, many had the plug cap in the nose of the fairing. Tamiya doesn’t include that either. But both are available from Hypersonic Models. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 Hypersonic stuff is outstanding but the vey best seats are from Sparkit. The former are from cast resin, the later 3D. You’ll want Mk5 up to about 1967-8. Opt for early H-7s after that. Late H-7 showed up around late 70s early 80s. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil not the one already used Posted March 23 Author Share Posted March 23 Thanks everyone! Thanks much! It looks like for hypersonic I just have to order direct? No problem with that, but if there is a US retailer it might be easier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 Victory Productions is the only U.S. based distributor for Hypersonic that I’m aware of…https://www.victorymodels.com/collections/vendors?q=Hypersonic Models&sort_by=created-descending Having said that, I’ve ordered directly from Hypersonic as recently as last December and received prompt and courteous service. Phil, one suggestion would be to settle on a particular airframe, from a particular squadron, at a particular point in time and let the folks here know. As you’ve already discovered, there are plenty of knowledgeable and helpful members that can guide you the rest of the way. I’m building a Tamiya Phantom too. And the assistance I’ve received from experts here has proved invaluable. Best of luck! Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toadwbg Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 On 3/21/2024 at 7:43 PM, RichB63 said: The Melampy book is great, but it only covers Air Force Phantoms. I have the Melampy book at cost and a couple other ones if anyone’s interested Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BWDenver Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 If you in the early build phase you might want to look at the thread I've been building on "Bang Seats". Others have also contributed. Attached are a couple of shots from the National Museum of Naval Aviation specifically on the F-4B. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phasephantomphixer Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 Also check on the slotted stab change out period. Luckily the Tamiya kit provides (Sprue M) both. If unsure after choosing the one to build, and if decals do not specify, or indistinguishable in your photo refs, there's a good thread here on ARC; Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eraucubsfan Posted March 28 Share Posted March 28 Man that F-4 looks good in VX-4 colors... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeffreyK Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 On 3/25/2024 at 3:06 AM, BWDenver said: Could this be a photo of one of those elusive "Royal Jet" 370gal wing tanks? They seem to have a cylindrical centre section (unlike the McD tanks which have a continuous curve) but the elliptic front and tail sections look much longer than on the Fletchers. The weld seam is in the same place as on the Fletchers, but again much shorter. J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil not the one already used Posted March 31 Author Share Posted March 31 I'm using a Furball sheet for my current build and the decals are great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stalal Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Building one of the Marines Phantoms from this AOA Decal sheet https://aoadecals.com/48018/home.htm Will changing the seats to earlier version and the tailplane to the one provided in the kit but not used suffice? I'm interested in one of VFMA-122 or VFMA-531 versions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeffreyK Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Can't see any images, but you need to look at fin tips and chin pods too. J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eraucubsfan Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 What missile is that on the pylon on the VX-4 jet? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GW8345 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 5 hours ago, habu2 said: CATM-7 ? 👍 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stalal Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Did F-4B carry machine gun pods like SUU-23 on the centre line? Or it was approved for later versions? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ziggyfoos Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 6 hours ago, stalal said: Did F-4B carry machine gun pods like SUU-23 on the centre line? Or it was approved for later versions? Not SUU pods (USAF) but instead the Mk.4 HIPEG. Can see some example loadouts with the HIPEG used by Marine squadrons on AOA decals loadout pdfs: https://aoadecals.com/48014/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stalal Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 In the 3rd picture of Marines VFMA-334, is it HIPEG or SUU-23? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ziggyfoos Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Just now, stalal said: In the 3rd picture of Marines VFMA-334, is it HIPEG or SUU-23? That is the HIPEG like I referenced. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stalal Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Just now, ziggyfoos said: That is the HIPEG like I referenced. Thanks. These two gun pods look so similar. I bought SUU for the Marines kit thinking this is the right pod. 🙄 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ziggyfoos Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 12 minutes ago, stalal said: Thanks. These two gun pods look so similar. I bought SUU for the Marines kit thinking this is the right pod. 🙄 May be an easy way to tell them apart: USN/USMC Mk.4 HIPEG pod has a somewhat asymmetrical funky odd shaped "nose" and only has two barrels (recessed) and the pod also has a grouping of large vents on the sides (kinda looking like fish gills). USAF SUU pods have the 6-barrel rotary barrels protruding out from the nose and visibly exposed gatling type barrel configuration. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.