Fleet Air Arm Phantom

Kerry COX
Ahhhhh!! Spey power. 🙂 👍

Kerry COX
Gareth, throw your pilot into some brake fluid and leave it there until all the paint is dissolved mate. 🙂
( I hope this is the second hand one you bought.) ?

Gareth Windsor
Love reading about the UK version. It was more powerful than the Pratt & Whitney powered ones but to fit the Spey engine in the angle of the jet was steeper, needed larger intakes and extra cooling ports so only out performed the yanks for a short while until the P&W developed a better after burner system. Trial of the FG.1 (F-4k) on HMS Eagle were stopped almost straight away as the deck was melting on take off.

Gareth Windsor
Lol, I will do that Kerry. I need to get rid of the moustache! Not allowed those in Her Majesties Royal Navy.

Kerry COX
I had the Spey powered F-4 like yours, and I do remember the huge intakes and massive exhaust pipes, and I find that you can't get these kits any more on line, unless evilbay has them at a massive over price. 🙁 🙁

Gareth Windsor
I've been quite lucky, I've won a couple on line at reasonable prices. As I have no extra parts for this model other than the decals, I intend to just build it out of the box with some scratch built intake and exhaust blanks. It would be fantastic if Acadamy brought out an F-4K and F-4M.

Kerry COX
Eduard get their F-4's from Academy under licence I believe, and the F-4K is one of them. !! 🙂

Gareth Windsor
Ah, so should we "watch this space" or send begging letters?

Augie
Lol Still love the hasegawa ones.. tho the brit ones tend to be over priced somewhat.
will be watching this one 🙂

Gareth Windsor
tailhooktopics.blogs.._01_archive.html?m=1

Above link is for the spotters who want to know some of the physical differences between the Yank Phantom and the Spey Phantom.

Erik Leijdens
Very nice Gareth! Never knew the British Phantoms differed so much of the US versions! Tended to make a Royal Navy Phantom myself too now😄. I'm in!

Gareth Windsor
I've managed to split the back end apart so that I can match it up properly. Unfortunately there was some damage and and I've lost one of those vent things ...............and a bloody pitot mast!

Kerry COX
On your hands and knees mate, as they MUST be there somewhere, but it's good to know you got it done. 👍

Gareth Windsor
There is no finding either piece my man. I even resorted to the dust pan and brush which I was picking through like some sort of crazy guy.
I don't make life easy for myself Kerry (a recurring theme). I will use modelling clay to make a mould of the existing vent and make the new one. I think I may be able to make a pitot tube from a needle or an unused piece of kit (strut or something). For the moment I am going to put this build on hold and finish the F-104. It'll give me time to order some extras too (sssshhhh, don't let the wife know)

Kerry COX
It's good to know you have an other distraction on the go mate. 🙂
When I drop a part that 'disappears' on me, I put a piece of a woman's stocking over the tip of my vacuum cleaner and blitz all under my work bench, and 9 out of 10 times I will find it in the stocking tip. (along with some I had forgotten about. lol 👍

Gareth Windsor
The multipurpose stocking! Not only do they make ladies legs look lovely and robbers noses crooked, but a fantastic filter. My mum used to pass her home made wine through to take the bits out. That's a great idea with the vacuum cleaner though.

Wim van der Luijt
Count me in as well!

Kerry COX
It's worth a try Gareth, and there could be a surprise waiting too. 😉

Gareth Windsor
The other part of the story and why I won't find the bits...... So I got a little obsessive trying to split the model, but my dog needed letting out. The back yard is not total secure at the appartment we are renting here in Canada so I have to go out with him. Well it was a nice afternoon so I took the model and knife out with me. Pretty sure the lost bits are in the grass somewhere.

Kerry COX
OK, do you have a LONG extension lead. ? LOL 🙂 👍

Clifford Keesler
How did I miss this one, oh you lucky dog you.

Gareth Windsor
Hi folks. I've taken off the rudder to help me straighten the back up after seeing a picture of the Phantoms lined up on the flight deck of the Ark Royal with their rudders all turned from the wind.

Clifford Keesler
Carry on mate. I know how frustrating it is to lose bits. The carpet monster ate the boarding ladder to my F-4B this morning. I cannot find it any where.

Gareth Windsor
Pretty annoying Clifford. Most of my things are in storage right now so literally working out of the box with a few bits I packed in my bag when I came to Canada. When we finally settle I hope to have a bench to drop bits on or around, then I can use Kerry's stoking idea.

Clifford Keesler
So you moved to this side of the pond? I guess I should say welcome. Here is to hoping you get your bench set up soon.

Clifford Keesler
From what I understand the Spey's were more powerful and fuel efficient , they were turbofans vs turbojets. But the required airframe modifications to mount the Spey's wound up offsetting the higher performance.

Clifford Keesler
Yea it did.

Gareth Windsor
Hi James, Clifford is right. Rolls Royce had developed an afterburner that made the Spey engine more powerful than the US Pratt and Whitney engines. It came with draw backs. The Spey turbines needed more air, so the intakes were longer and larger. Extra vents were needed on the outside of the airframe and the engine was mounted at a steeper angle. Almost all the extra power was lost. As the US developed their engines the UK's phantom lost its lead. Even the RAF bought used F-4J's when they needed extra aircraft in the 80's.

Gareth Windsor
I have some reference pictures to show the differences in the other photo album attached to this project.

Augie
IIRC The Spey was chosen for a few reasons. Some political to offset the buying the airframe from abroad. It was also due to at the time RN Carriers being shorter than their USN counterparts the spey being more powerful for take offs and it also providing bleed air for BLC to further reduce landing speeds.

Clifford Keesler
Thanks for the info Augie.

Kerry COX
Boom Boom. !! 👍 👍 👍 🙂

Gareth Windsor
We had a Spey engine tucked away in our hanger out in the Middle East. Bloody huge thing. I think the RAF had forgotten it was there, not much use in our helicopters.

Clifford Keesler
I always thought the RAF Phantoms looked cool, I used to see them all the time while I was stationed in Germany, The USAF had their "E"s the Germans had their "F"s then there were the RAF birds. The German Navy was still flying the F-104G's also. I was in a CH-47 company, I was a Flight Enigeer.

Stephan Ryll
Same als me - I was with the tornados
But also saw a lot of other stuff like the A-10 , Mirage 3 and F-1 , F-16 during some NATO meetings

Gareth Windsor
A rotory wind man Clifford, nice. I was an Avionics & Weapons Supervisor on Sea kings and later Merlins. It was watching a Naval Phantom that made me interested in joining the Navy and working on aircraft. Sadly, by the time I joined up all the "kick ass" jets had gone. And Tonka's Stephan, were the German ones more reliable than the British ones? I never made it to Germany for any of the NATO meets and I just missed out on a Tiger meet there one year too.

Stephan Ryll
@ Gareth - I had no big issues with our Tonka´s - but we had often lot of UK guest from the elmpt airbase when the weather was bad there

Clifford Keesler
I spent 25 years working on Rotary wing aircraft, UH-I Hueys CH-47's and Jet Rangers. I always loved the Sea King, though I never got a chance to work on them. I also worked on some fixed wing AC also, F-106s F-4s and civilian jets DC-9s Citiation IIIs Vs and Gulf Stream 5s. plus some turbo props King Airs mainly.

Gareth Windsor
Seen a few things then Clifford. Hueys, now there's an iconic aircraft. The Sea King was quite the work horse. The Mk 7's (the ones with the Rafa on the side) will be the last Sea Kings in the Navy soon. It was quite sad to see the search & rescue SeaKings disbanded this year as the government brings in civilian contracts. The Darts must have been interesting to work on.

Stephan Ryll
Ah we'are from the same branch 🙂
Here a list of the things worked on
Rockwell OV-10B, RFB Fantrainer, Airbus 300 310 320, Tornado, BO-105, Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, Douglas MD-11, Airfoilboats, Focker 50, DO-27

Gareth Windsor
Airfoil boats looks like fun! I'm assuming that's the ones built by BOTEC. They would be great on the lakes here in Canada.

Stephan Ryll
Gareth take a look at this little thing

fischer-flugmechanik..nu=realized_airfish1

Gareth Windsor
Now that looks like fun

Stephan Ryll
It was, it was 🙂 🙂

Clifford Keesler
That is a wicked looking critter. @ Gareth, yes the Dart's were a blast. They were one of my favorites,especially when we took them to the trim pad and tied them down and ran them at full military power, then lit the afterburner. We converted them to full size radio control aerial target drones.

Gareth Windsor
Poor old Darts. I understand a lot of the F-4 became target drones too.

Clifford Keesler
Yes, I also converted them to drones also. Really hated to see those maginificent aircraft go that route. From what I understand there are numerous Darts still around. One even still remains in flyable condition. It is a New Jersey ANG bird. Painted in commerative markings. I am in the process of building this aircraft. I will get some pictures up soon.

Gareth Windsor
Curtesy of @Burkhard D. More F-4 stuff including the original report for the F-4K from 1964.
aviationarchives.blogspot.de/

Kerry COX
If anything, the brit version of the F-4 really made the look of the phantom so much meaner, like it had been on steroids or something to help 'bulk it up' 🙂 👍

Gareth Windsor
The British Bulldog effect ha ha. As I have been poking around the internet I've found a few references to a phantom with sweeping wings (F-14 / Tornado style).

Gareth Windsor
Pulling the model apart damaged the rudder Si I removed it completely to repair and will set it back at an angle, as in some reference photos I have.

Clifford Keesler
You are whipping her back into shape, I'll bet the finished model will be outstanding. I did the same thing with the rudder on my F-4B, it had a separate rudder, so I glued it in at an angle. Looks better.

Christian Bruer
Nice topic, I'll take a seat to follow this WIP.

Gareth Windsor
Hi Christian and welcome aboard. I'm still waiting for some items to arrive in the post before I get started. The postal system here in Canada is brutal as I am assuming Hannants have sent the parcel. It took over a week for UPS to get a package up from the States.

Gareth Windsor
It's like Christmas again, only I got what I want this time. Goody box has arrived from the UK.

Kerry COX
Is the mail delivery guy OK Gareth.? :-/ As mine bitches like crazy when more than one item is delivered. LOL. 🙂
The extras look impressive. !!!
An other good reason for my staying up late no all this will be used.👍
Im'a watchin'. 🙂

Gareth Windsor
No pressure then Kerry😉 I loved your diorama so I have the idea of a simple one with the Phantom outside the hangar with the power rig plugged in. I will look at getting the Skunk model tractor and towing arm later.

Kerry COX
Wow, !! I am pleased that my work has been of some use then, even as it sits here gathering dust, it is still 'working' hahaha. 🙂
The ground crew that will be actively involved in this are the Hasegawa carrier figures or do you have something else in mind Gareth,?
Did you see the resin figures of the flight crew I have for my Phantoms at all. ?
Just a thought, but I would imagine the British flying rig would be slightly different. ? Check the RedRoo link. 👍
Academy's F-4C Phantom. | Album by RedRoo

Clifford Keesler
I see your goodies showed up. Pulling up a chair.

Gareth Windsor
Hi Clifford, welcome aboard. Kerry, the Skunk tractor unit comes with figures so I shouldn't have to mess about too much. The US figures are quite different (just being picky as it was my real job).

Kerry COX
All is totally under control I see and I should have remembered, after the posts you made of your experience. 🙂 👍 Please forgive my memory lapse mate. hehehehe👍

Gareth Windsor
I'm not sure about totally under control. I will probably be hounding your good self and Christian for hints and tips along the way. We'll start with how did you make the concrete base for your diorama?

Kerry COX
I cut up some sand paper sheets into quarters, (the type you can get at any handyman/hardware store) and smeared wood glue/PVA evenly, then placed the paper on top of it and weighed it down with books that were protected by a large plastic bag, all the time, wiping away any excess glue that may have come out between the squares. "Goin' Home" Diorama. | Album by RedRoo

Clifford Keesler
I will have to try the sandpaper idea, for a dio base. I only need to build about 4. LOL.

Kerry COX
The only drawback with the PVA glue is that it will take some time to dry completely, but putting it in the sun does help a bit. 🙂

Clifford Keesler
I will remember that. Do you leave it the color it is or paint it. I guess you would want to use one with a pebbled brownish color. Or did you use black?

Kerry COX
I used a wash of light brown first for the "Run off" effect look, then a wash of 'brown earth" where 'puddles' would have formed. 🙂 👍

Clifford Keesler
Thanks.

Kerry COX
When it rains, all kinds of things appear, ducks and the like . 🙂

Gareth Windsor
I spent my money on a 1:48 scale power rig, I'm not getting any bloody ducks!

Kerry COX
LOL. How about Chickens. ? 🙂

Gareth Windsor
Always had issues with crows nesting in the hangars and craping on the aircraft. Don't remember a chicken infestation.

Kerry COX
LOL. 🙂 I give up. 👍

Clifford Keesler
We had Pigeons.

Kerry COX
HO train scale would be perfect. 👍

Gareth Windsor
Kerry, I'm not buying ducks!

Kerry COX
Gareth, down to more serious matters now. Ahem, ! I am seeing, in image 13, from where you have done your repairs and mods on the tail surfaces, I saw an iddy biddy gap just below the vertical tail aileron. and as no other images of your work are posted yet, I am wondering how it turned out after all the repairs were done.? (Howzat for being diplomatic.? 🙂 )

Gareth Windsor
Lol, have I fixed the bit I broke yet?! No. I have studying so the models have had to go on hold. I managed to finish the decals on my F-104 today so maybe start looking at this project properly next week. The new molded vent came out well and I will fill and shape the rest once the cockpit is in. Oh, I did manage to split the rest of the airframe with out further damage.

Kerry COX
Gareth, I never doubted for a minute you couldn't mate. 🙂 and minimal damage from what I saw too. 🙂 👍

Gareth Windsor
25kVA power rig coming together.

Kerry COX
Gareth, ! That looks stunning mate, and I am really looking forward to the end result of all your superb effort on this little item. 👍 🙂

Gareth Windsor
Thanks Kerry. Flightpath kits are very good. I may have to get myself some watch makers glasses and a proper PE bender, not sure tweezers and a ruler are going to cut it for long.

Augie
Looks interesting, Been considering some addon for my FAA rhino.

Kerry COX
Uschi have an awesome little PE bender. called the Jigster. 🙂

Gareth Windsor
I have found a couple of model shops here, so I will pop in an see what they have.
Augie, have a look at djparkins.com/home.php Lots of good stuff and the Royal Navy tractor by Skunk Models

Kerry COX
Thank you for the link Gareth. 👍

Gareth Windsor
Careful Kerry, it could damage your wallet.😉

Kerry COX
My wallet has been suffering anorexia for a long time now, and I don't hold out any hope of it recovering in the near future mate. 🙂

Augie
Many thanks gareth

Gareth Windsor
🙂

Gareth Windsor
Just the break lines to fit then painting time.

Clifford Keesler
Looking good.

Gareth Windsor
Base coat on the power rig and ladder.

Kerry COX
Gareth, I do like the detail on the crew access ladder. 👍
It's all looking great, well done. 🙂

Gareth Windsor
Thanks Kerry. Once I've put a little weathering on I think both the rig and ladder should look pretty good.

Kerry COX
I have seen black rubber strips on top of each rung of the ladders and the obligatory chipped paint on the grid on the top, but you know that anyway. 😉

Gareth Windsor
Not black rubber Kerry, that would cause a FOD hazard. Black "non skid" paint and yes, plenty of paint chips. Maintainers aren't very gentle with Ground Equipment.

Kerry COX
Thank you Gareth,🙂 I needed that LOL 🙂 👍

David F
Looking forward to seeing the final display as the ground equipment will breathe life into the otherwise static aircraft.

I have many fond memories of watching RF-4 Phantoms racing across the desert skies of Southern California. The smoke those engines would belch out was insane!!

Gareth Windsor
They had a reputation for being smokey, even the Spey powered Phantoms.

Gareth Windsor
Once the paint is dry, I'll give the ladder a clear coat then a weather wash to dull it back. Happy with it so far though.

Gareth Windsor
Tractor with crew ordered today.

Christian Bruer
Very nice progress, the ground power unit looks awesome 👍

Gareth Windsor
Thank you Christian. I want to make a hangar wall in the background. Is there something you specifically use when you make your diorama building?

Kerry COX
Bloody amazing Clifford. If not for your hand in the image, I would have thought it was parked in your garage. 🙂 👍

Clifford Keesler
Looking awesome Gareth, I like it a lot.

Kerry COX
Woops ! 🙁, (embarrassed) I apologise Gareth, but I am sure you understand how it happens. Sorry mate. :-/

Gareth Windsor
lol, it happens to the best of us. I've been known to call my son by the dogs name.

Kerry COX
LOL 🙂. Ah, that makes my stuff up bearable. 🙂 Thanks mate. 👍

Gareth Windsor
Ladder and Houchin ready to varnish before I do a little weathering.

Christian Bruer
Hi Gareth, I most use styrene for any building or structure I build for my dioramas. Very common is Evergreen and Plastruct. I prefer the latter one because they use the metrical system 🙂

Hope that answers your question?!

evergreenscalemodels.com/

plastruct.com/

Cheers, Christian

Gareth Windsor
Thank you Christian 🙂

Mike Grant
Great work on the ground equipment Gareth, that power unit is amazing. Flightpath do some really nice stuff 👍

Choppa Nutta
this is looking good ! 🙂

Gareth Windsor
Thanks guys. Slow and steady should get me there. Yes, the Flightpath sets are nice, the PE set for my 1/32 F-4E looks amazing. Had a couple of moments already where I have been grateful for a wood floor and not carpet. I don't know how you do the small scale stuff Christian.

Marko
Sweet

Kerry COX
Nicely done Gareth. 👍 Great detail. 🙂

Clifford Keesler
Nice Gareth. Where do you get the flightpath stuff from?

Gareth Windsor
Here you go Clifford. Careful though it may hurt your wallet.
djparkins.com/home.php

Rex
Gareth is right, the first time I went there,,,,,Anne heard a sonic boom as the money flew out of my wallet. (via debit card, but, you get the idea.)
I was like a kid, though "I gotta get that, need some of those,,,,,oooo look at that"
Matador Models is the next worst thing,,,,,,,lots of ground equipment and vehicles that you will end up "needing"

Gareth Windsor
Hannants is a great one stop shop too. But, yes Rex. I went to the basket the first time and saw my subtotal and had to put some things back 🙁 lol. Wind sock, oxygen bottles, fire extinguishers, railings. Still having issues finding Royal Navy flight deck figures though.

Kerry COX
This is all I could find, and I am wondering. Would some alterations be in mind if you HAD to get deck crew Gareth. ?

Holger Kranich
The dashboard looks awesome, Gareth!

Gareth Windsor
Thank you Holger.
The Skunk tractor is the one I have coming in the post. Looks pretty good and I may have to do something with the figures. I'm doing an early Phantom and the lads didn't have plates on their flight deck helmets.

Christian Bruer
I still bought Kinetics FRS.1 in scale 1/48 and looking forward to your progress at the tractor Gareth! Following the link Kerry (Thx Kerry 👍 ) shared with us the kit fortunately includes some figures.

Kerry COX
I am not really knowing if the link did help, but all I could see was arms and legs everywhere and figured there must be something that could be of use. 🙂

Gareth Windsor
Had a close look at the pictures of the figures and it looks like some of the figure are based on Americans, too many pockets. That will be easy to fix with a knife and file.

Kerry COX
Scratch and dent time. 🙂 👍

Clifford Keesler
Wow, what a site, thanks Gareth.

Gareth Windsor
Took a bit of a break to watch the Invictus games. A good friend I joined up with did very well. 2 golds a silver and a bronze medal. Anyway. Chocks going together, Houchin just needs the cable, but I will leave that until I work out how it will stand with the Phantom. Cockpit details removed.

Gareth Windsor
Chopping time. Making space for resign parts.

Kerry COX
I really do admire the modeller who has the guts and know how to be able to chop and change a model, and to make it look like it was made that way. 🙂 👍
You certainly have done an awesome job on this old bird Gareth. 👍 👍 👍

Clifford Keesler
You are going to turn this old bird into a stunner.

Gareth Windsor
Thanks guys. I was a little nervous Kerry, but I just thought I'd get on with it. Measure twice, cut once.

Kerry COX
Great maths mate. Faultless logic. 🙂 👍

Gareth Windsor
Little more chopping and the front instrument panel is together.

Kerry COX
Looking very "British" Gareth. A long way from what you started out with mate. Great work and results . 🙂

Gareth Windsor
Not a lot done as life seems to be getting in the way, but the tub is coming together. The previous owner of the kit had glued the forward wheel bay on slightly crooked. A few colourful words used as the bay came away, the craft knife went into my finger and the cockpit hit the floor with PE pinging across the floor.

Kerry COX
All recovered though. ? The finger and all I mean too mate. :-/

Gareth, If I may make a suggestion, and then again, you may already have this base covered. 🙂
BUT, I have got an old bed sheet, (white) that I have placed under my chair and spread out enough to be a couple of feet all round my work area, and it has saved my neighbours ears from a loverly shade of blue from my cussings.
I have never 'lost' an other item since I started doing it, and it gets replaced quite often, but a great investment in one's sanity. 🙂

Gareth Windsor
That is a great idea Kerry. At the moment I am working on a small kitchen chopping board on the end of my bed. The good lady and I are talking about buying a house here in Canada in the next few months which will mean my own work bench and a fewer issues (hopefully).

Kerry COX
A home of your own. ? :-o. How wonderful for you mate. 👍
But in the meantime, that little spot at the end of your bed has helped produce some great visuals for us all here. 🙂
Good hunting for what you want and need Gareth. 🙂

Clifford Keesler
Good luck with the house hunting Gareth. The Phanthom is looking fabaolus.

Gareth Windsor
Thanks guys. Been feeling unsettled having left the Navy, my village and country and living in a rented apartment. Still waiting for a work visa, but once again, the modelling calms the mind.

Kerry COX
Gareth, I DO know what you mean when you talk about leaving an institution you gave so much of your life to and the friends and that 'bond' we develop. I was kind of 'lost' after I got out of the Army here, and 6 years was all it took to make me feel that way, but after seeing my dad's 35 years service, I didn't want to become 'institutionalized' as he did, and I deliberately decided 6 years was 'it' for me. Hopefully, you will find a new distraction and put all your pent up energy into that, what ever it is. 🙂 I went back to 'school' and did university, which was just an other 6 years, but with better opportunities than just being 'ex services' on my CV.
Good things will happen for you mate. 🙂 👍

Clifford Keesler
I know how you feel Gareth, I spent 20 years in the service and have been retired from it for 27 years, and retired from my civilian career for 10 years, and I still miss both. But my modeling keeps me occupied, as well as my family. Cheers, hope you get back to work soon.

Gareth Windsor
Cheers Clifford. It will all get sorted in the end.
Meanwhile. New item has arrived. My tractor unit to go with the Spook. The tractor looks ok, but there will some work to get it looking like a 1960's unit. 9 men too in the box. ALL IN US NAVY RIG.......aaaaahhh. Some filing and filling to do to get rid of pocket, high leg boots and make T-shirts look like long sleeve jerseys or coveralls.

Kerry COX
The air wing of the Royal Navy is something that has not been considered, even the likes of Verlinden I would have thought would have addressed the "British" side of modelling material. 🙁 Good results will come of your pocket and boots rearrangements Gareth. 🙂

Gareth Windsor
Cheers Kerry. We wore dark blue denim overalls. They often didn't fit properly. We had actual China men on our ships doing the laundry and they boil washed EVERYTHING! The trouser leg would either be under your heal or just right because they hadn't gone through the laundry yet, or above your ankles because they had. Oh, and civvies, once they put a crease in your jeans it was never coming out.

Rex
It seems sort of strange that you can't get actual RN crewman in model form. I understand your plight, though. Model companies seem to think that all US Naval types dressed like our sailors did,,,,,,,as if we Marines wore the same uniform. (to be fair to them, we often did, they had "better" pants and shirts than we did, and you could buy their stuff on the base, we did NOT buy the hats, though, lol)

Gareth Windsor
Finally starting to look like a Phantom

Gareth Windsor
Rex. I guess it would be a nightmare for model companies to keep up with uniform changes and all the rigs we wore. Basic working uniform, overalls, tropical rig, foul weather gear.

Kerry COX
Is that Russian printing I see on the bag cap. ?

Rex
You're probably right, Gareth. Getting three or four sets of uniforms for each service, and then the changes for the time periods right. We're modelers, and one of the things that modelers do is wish for 17 other versions of anything that some company comes out with. And I am going to say I agree with those modelers that wants something different than you or I. What use does an Aussie WW II modeler have for the 60's-70's Marine ground crew uniforms that would make me extremely happy?

Gareth Windsor
Lost some detail on the top from the rub down, so scribing time. My favourite homemade tool, an old Tamiya paint brush, bristle removed and a needle superglued in.

Kerry COX
Do show how you have come up with the 'scribing' tool Gareth, as I have a pin vice with a needle, but that becomes awkward and heavy to handle after a while. 👍

Gareth Windsor
Quite simple Kerry. I cut the bristles off an old paint brush (thin wooden dowel will work) and drilled deep enough to secure the needle. Filled the hole with superglue and pushed the needle in. It's almost like a light pencil but pointier.

Kerry COX
The simple things always seem to work better too. 👍
Thanks for that Gareth, as I do have a good supply of brushes I have 'kept' and now I see it will be worth it. 🙂
Cheers. 👍

Clifford Keesler
Looking good Gareth. I just finished re-scribing a Monogram P-40B, and that is what I used is a sewing needle chucked in my pin vise. Works very good.

Gareth Windsor
The needle does a nice job. I'm quite glad this is just rescribing some panels after the rub down. The real test will be the scribing the whole 1:32 F-4E I have. I have bought some electrical insulation tape to help as a guide to scribe against.

Gareth Windsor
Had the day off so pull the box out for a couple of hours. Looking forward to moving into our own house in March and setting up a work bench!

Kerry COX
I am wishing good things for your 2017 Gareth. 👍
Nothing better than 'pulling out the box' and doing a revisit.🙂
Now,
the whole lot of us are keen to see what your going to do. 🙂 🙂

Augie
Nice going so far 🙂

Gareth Windsor
Thank you. Kerry, there's a space under the stairs with my name on it. Hopefully one I have a working area I can just go back and tinker from time to time and eat away at projects. If you look at my stash I have a few, including 2 more Navy Phantoms. And thank you Augie. I'm trying to take things up a notch with each build, I bought some watch maker glasses now too.

Gareth Windsor
Ha ha, they're doing two good jobs then. For $35 Canadian (they even have a little LED light on them), I thought I would try them out. Take a little getting use to, but great once you get the hang of it.

Kerry COX
Yes mate. A great benefit in all the close up fine detail work when needed. A saviour for me on many an occasion. 🙂 👍

Christian Bruer
Gareth, all the best for the move into your own house 👍

Gareth Windsor
Thank you Christian. It a big step in the family's move from the UK to Canada. Fabulous work on the small scale AFVs, they look amazing.

Christian Bruer
Fromn UK to Canada, really a big step. Avoid wet feet when you cross the atlantic ocean 😉

Thx for the compliment 🙂

Clifford Keesler
It looks nice Gareth. Which 1/32 Phantom do you have to re-scribe?

Gareth Windsor
Sorry Clifford, only just see your comment from January. It's the old Revell F4-E. I have the Flightpath photo etch set for it and the Legend resin cockpit too.

Robert W Martel
Nice work Gareth! Looking forward to the finish. Love the F-4.

Clifford Keesler
Awesome sir.

Gareth Windsor
Thank you. It's slow going as I do a little work now and again. I'm hoping to finally have a workbench set up next month in the new house, which means I can chip away a little more frequently. Literally working out of the box is a right pain. I also finished building my first tank since I was 12 for my youngest son (see my Patton Tank album).

Gareth Windsor
After an extened break, she back on the bench !

Patrick Hagelstein
After that 'surprise' in the beginning, this build is really taking a flight now! Looking good so far! 👍

Holger Kranich
Yeah, Gareth, thats a phabulous build!

Augie
Love the progress 🙂

Kerry COX
Slowly he turned, and glued an other piece. 👍 😉

Stephan Ryll
Very nice detail on that cockpit Gareth 👍

Clifford Keesler
I agree with everyone, excellent progress and attention to details.

Konrad -
Yep very nice Gareth👍! Great detailed work!!

Gareth Windsor
Thank you mates. Once again the lovely comments and support are why I love this modeling community.

Clifford Keesler
That is an awesome looking base.

Gareth Windsor
Yeah Clifford, the base is resin and looks pretty good. I'v been wanting to do a little diorama after following Kerry's B-17 "Going Home" build. I was going to scratch build one, but I had a little birthday money so I got this.

Kerry COX
Gareth. 🙂 Inspiration is what I like to achieve and thank you for the compliment mate. 👍
I am really keen to see the progress of the dio mate. 🙂

Clifford Keesler
I also will be looking forward to the final result. @ Kerry, your B-17 dio was nothing short of breath taking. The work of a true master craftsman.

Kerry COX
Clifford. Your most kind my friend. 👍
Thank you so much for the compliment. 👍 🙂

Gareth Windsor
The previous owner had built the seats, so I pulled them apart. The padding was far too bright a green so they were suttled down. I love the Eduard detail I'm about to put on, but not enjoying the paint peeling off as I bend it.

Bryn Crandell
Just got caught up Gareth. Your work is definately worth waching. A lot of work at the beginning, but it looks like it may pay off. I can't believe how you r modest work space is where all of this magic happens. Can't wait to see more.

Gareth Windsor
Thank you Bryn and welcome. It's turning into a labour of love and may take a while. And it's so nice to be working on it at a desk now rather than a tray on the bedroom floor.

Patrick Hagelstein
Man, that really sucks as the painted details are what makes those PE parts just so popping. Hope you are able to touch up some of those chips. 🙂 Other than that, I have to agree on other comments; it really is turning into something good! 👍

Gareth Windsor
Thanks Patrick. I managed to get a little superglue under the pealing paint and push it back down with an old dental tool I have. Every days a school day!

Patrick Hagelstein
😄 And that learning curve will just get steeper and steeper. 😉

Gareth Windsor
No kidding. I look at a few models I built before joining this website and I know I've improved. So many great modeller here to inspire and learn more from. I'm hoping to get the balls to tackle my 1:24 Sea Harrier at some point with the box of PE I have for it.

Clifford Keesler
I look forward to that one Gareth. I know you will turn out a work of art.

Spanjaard
looking good. i see now that you will be using the hobby decal transfers... result can be really good, but you will need to take your time.....😉

Gareth Windsor
Oh yes Spanjaard, the dry rub transfers look amazing and from what I've read, your right, I need to take my time, no repositioning those.

playtime 222
Excellent. Must get one on those pieces of ground equipment too - it's what my Dad worked on.

Gareth Windsor
Those Houchin ran forever. Great bits of ground equipment. They were slowly replaced through the 90's. Used them for maintenance and to start the Sea Kings. Where did your Dad work @playtime 222 ?

Gareth Windsor
Gloss coat on the seat to help "lock" the PE in place and give me a nice surface to do a little weathering.

playtime 222
BZN amongst many, many other places 60s, 70s, 80s. Ground equipment was his thing.

Spanjaard
It took me ages to place all those transfers in my black bunny Phantom, some were not really a success for some reason, but you can say it is part of the weathering process 😛

Clifford Keesler
Awesome looking seat.

Gareth Windsor
First seat is all together with only a few "Oh SHIT, where did that go!?" moments. I have gloss coated the seat to help lock the photo etch on and give me a nice surface to use oil paints to weather it. I was told on another forum that pilot and maintainers spilt coffee and trod all over them.

Bryn Crandell
The seat is amazing. At first I thought I was looking at the real thing. Then thought to myself that is one hell of a brush they use. Lots of fiddly PE bits. Worth it!

Gareth Windsor
Slow going. Life gets in the way sometimes. My 16 year old dog past away, my father-in-law past way recently and I broke 2 ribs carting the new rescue dog down the stairs.
But this is back on the bench........yeay.
The vent at the back of the aircraft broke off as I split the plain apart to realign it all (eBay started kit). Going to make a mould and make a new one.

Kerry COX
Gareth, you have the 'Midas' touch and the patience of a saint. 👍
Seeing all your seam work and filling of the gaps that comes with the Academy kit reminds me of why I gave up on my F-4 kit. 🙁
What you have achieved is just stunning mate. 👍
I hope your fully recovered and back in the grove. 🙂 🙂 👍

Gareth Windsor
Thanks for the encouragement Kerry. There are a few gaps in this kit and it's trying my patience, but the F-4 is such a beautiful aircraft. I've got another 2 of these kits in the stash plus the Revell 1:32 which I want to do in Vietnam colours.

Gareth Windsor
Thanks Hans. Good to know. I will have those on standby if my moulding doesn't work out. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I'm actually looking forward to moulding and making my own parts.

Slavo Hazucha
Very nice project & progress! Joining late, but I think this is going to be rewarding to watch even - or especially - from now on - never went so deep into the DNA-sequence of the hobby to mould anything on my own! Good luck 👍

David Taylor
The tugs are little gems Gareth

Gareth Windsor
Welcome along for the long ride. The tractor unit does look good David, but is far too new a version to use as it is with the Phantom. Once I've tried the moulding out, I'm going to try and change the back end of the tractor, which looks just like the front minus the seat, controls and lights.

Clifford Keesler
Looking very nice Gareth. Hope your vent comes out ok.

Gareth Windsor
Ok, so I lost my Mojo there for a little with this Phantom and did a couple of little side projects (check out my Airfix P-51). Having remodeled the kitchen I now have a new work bench made from part of the old counter top and a couple of cabinets. Moulding the rear vents has not been successfully......so far. But with each failure I am closer to success.....right?!

Augie
Wow how had I missed this one 🙂

Maciej Bellos
For more than 220 comments, this Phantom was under my radar. How could this be! Joining in the party!

Spanjaard
about the vent, I would suggest to make the mast with metal, to prevent it from breaking again. mine almost did, so I to replaced it before it happened later in the build

Choppa Nutta
Gareth that blue stuff looks like just the ticket for some small parts I would like to have a go at moulding !!
Thanks for the tip and the video link ! 🙂
Previously I was looking at the silicone and resin route which is about £50 for a basic starter kit !! 😮
Unfortunately I can't find a seller in the UK thus far ......

Nathan Dempsey
Nice work so far 🙂 That seat came out great!

Clifford Keesler
Agree with Nathan, looking very nice. The carpet monster strikes again.

Gareth Windsor
Cheers all. Choppa, you should be able to find the "Blue Stuff" & "Green Stuff" on eBay, I'm in Canada and it came from a UK vender.

Choppa Nutta
ah, all I have found thus far is a vendor from Spain who won't ship to the Uk for some reason and one other from the states... for which the postage is more than the item itself ...
Have you got a link to the Uk vendor you bought your blue stuff from please ? 🙂

Btw, nice work so far, I'm looking forward to seeing how this project progresses !! 🙂

Spanjaard
Strange, they have UK in the list of countries where they ship greenstuffworld.com/..inations-and-postage

Choppa Nutta
Thanks ever so much Spanjaard !
I have another option now 🙂
Btw, the Spanish vendor I was referring to was on ebay

Spanjaard
I am glad I misunderstood 🙂

Choppa Nutta
Me too as you gave me a useful link that helps me out, thank you ! 😄

Gareth Windsor
I think I'll get it this time. Mould made with bluestuff and two halves of a kit in my stash. Using filler I made with glue and sprue that can get right into the mould. Fingers crossed.

Clifford Keesler
Good luck. I am trying to figure out how to make a mould, to cast a belly pan/nose wheel well for a 1/72 Hobby Craft F-89 that is missing it. I have 2 other 1/72 F-89"s but can't figure out how to do it.

Gareth Windsor
It worked! Vents need a little trim and they can go on.

Clifford Keesler
Congrats. They look good.

Patrick Hagelstein
So Gareth, you used glue thinned filler for this? From the picture I thought you used sprue goo. Isn't that filler brittle then?

Clifford Keesler
Gareth, what did you use for mold material. I have to find something to use as mold material, to try and mold in flight refueling probes for my ESCI Mirage 2000's and F-1's.

Gareth Windsor
I can hardly believe I've not touched this model in over a year. It's been an odd year. So I was laid off at work (mobile phone antenna site installation) as building access was restricted. Got a new job doing something similar, but living in hotels in the week and only seeing the family at weekends which sucked. So I started my own business as a Personal Trainer 3 months ago and it feels great, although a slow start and a lot of work.

Patrick & Clifford, the glue sprue thing was the way ahead. I use this as a filler on my models anyway and it was great in the moulds I made from Blue Stuff (yes, that's it's actually name).

Clifford Keesler
I have seen a video on you tube, where a guy uses it to make molds. Will try and track some down. Glad to see you back, looking forward to seeing more of this Phantom.

Spanjaard
Glad to see u back, Gareth. Good luck with the new enterprise!

Spanjaard
All those stencils from Hobbydecal will be so much fun to apply, but will pay off at the end (I did the black bunny set, took for ever!)

Erik Leijdens
Looking good Garth, those seats are great. Started a F-4 myself too with some resin seats but the PE option is nice too

Spanjaard
no pictures of that Erik? 😉

Erik Leijdens
Haha well I only have removed them from the casting blocks Spanjaard 😄

Clifford Keesler
Never to many "Spook's" around.

David H
Thought I'd best pop over to your place and see how yours is going !! Love the detail you're adding to this kit 👍🏻

Gareth Windsor
Hi David. Thank you. As you can see from the start date, life kind of got in the way. I'm hoping to make some honest headway with it again.

David H
Yeah, life has a habit of doing that 🙃 it would be good , you've doing fantastically with it so far… and I need some inspiration!😎

Clifford Keesler
Those are some nice looking decals.

Gareth Windsor
I lost my mojo with this build, repairs, lost bits and probably overthinking it all, I had to have a break. A few build under my belt and I'm back. Given that this is one of 3 1:48 FG.1's I really need to get into this and finish it.

David H
Thes FAA f4's must be cursed !!! 😂 strangely mine is also 1of 3 !!! I've still got and RAF Version and raspberry to do.

Don't leave it too long I'm too keen to see this one finished

Gareth Windsor
This one was for sure David. Take a look at the earlier pictures in the build. I had to break it in half to realign it as someone else I bought it from was not so careful gluing it together. This one is going in a little dio', the next one I want flying and the last one on a flight deck with a Buccaneer and Wessex.

David H
At least you didn't have the revell box to deal with !!! Good luck with the builds, can't wait to see the buccaneer…

Clifford Keesler
Is there ever going to be a new Buccaneer?

Gareth Windsor
I don't know Clifford, but I haven't built the old one yet 🤦‍♂️

Clifford Keesler
I hear the old one can be a bit of a Bear, but I would build it too, if I could get my hands on one.

Gareth Windsor
For a fleeting moment I had the idea of building a diorama of the Buccaneer refueling a Phantom with the inflight "buddy" fueling pods. I don't think I want to put myself through that.

Kerry COX
Gareth. That would be one hell of a challenge mate. !
I have a ITALERI 1/72 Boeing 707 Kc tanker that I had visions of having two F-15's hanging off it's teats. ! 👍 😉

Clifford Keesler
Garerh, and Kerry both of those would be really cool. @Kerry at one time I had the 1/72 KC-135 and EC-135 kits, but gave them to my nephew. I could kick myself in the backside now. They cost a small fourtune now if you can even find them.

Gareth Windsor
A little more photo etch at the back end and I'm trying my hand at sculpting a packed drag chute to go in the hole in the tail.

Clifford Keesler
That will be neat looking. It's coming along nicely.

Gareth Windsor
Test fit of the resin exhausts and they don't fit in! It's not even where I've cut plastic out. They are hitting the auxiliary air vents on the sides. More work 🤦‍♂️

Kerry COX
More chilli's. !!! The never ending problem solving we must endure with this wonderful bloody hobby. ! But the mechanics of it all still looks wonderful Gareth. 👍 😉

Gareth Windsor
Thanks Kerry, starting to move in the right direction with a better pace. And yes, the grey cells are having a workout. Should be putting some paint on her soon.

Clifford Keesler
Looking good, looking forward to seeing her in paint. I know you will solve all of the issues.

tyu
What paint you used for Houchin?

Gareth Windsor
@tyu it's Vallejo 70.890 Reflective Green.

Gareth Windsor
Now I really feel I'm making headway. Black primer is on and there doesn't seem to be too much to tweak. I'm pleased with moulding and repair I did on the tail vent and the pilot's access ladder is looking sweet.

Clifford Keesler
Looking good there sir, nice progress.

Gareth Windsor
Thanks Clifford, feels good having running smoothly now. I have knocked off an P.E in a while either! (I've gone through 3 antennas on the top). Your Tomcat is looking forward to competed Tomcat.

David Taylor
Looks good Gareth.

Clifford Keesler
@Gareth, Tomcat is getting close.

Gareth Windsor
Found a couple of sidewinders in the scrap box (none come with the kit), so I'm making a training variant missile which would be used for weapons acquisition training getting the infrared camera to lock onto a target. The body of the missile is blue (Oxford Blue indicates drill/inert) but operational head. They would also not have the canards (fins) fitted. The nose cap I have made from Green Stuff.

Clifford Keesler
Looking good. Yea it is sad that you don't get weapons in the Hasegawa kits.

David H
Rarely carried the aim9 as their role was primarily mud movers. But, the wing looks empty without something on those inboard pylons 👍🏻

Gareth Windsor
Definitely mud movers. The Phantom arrived just after the Borneo Conflict where air to ground support was critical, hence the British Phantoms had an improved radar for Air to Ground targeting. However as the Russians stepped up their dangerous games during the Cold War; fly close or into NATO airspace, the Naval Phantoms did more intercepting (and intercept training, especially 767nas). Your right David, not too many shots of an RN Phantom loaded for air to air combat, but a few loaded with bombs or Manta rocket pods. I've got the rocket pods from other models (I've got 2 sea Vixen to build), but not the correct pylon attachments for the spook. There is going to be enough going on with this model though, power unit, access ladder and step, airfield base and I have figures from the Skunk Models UK tractor to add, but they are clearly American and need things removing and bits adding.

Clifford Keesler
Coming along nicely Gareth, I am sure the finished project will be awesome.

David H
Wow, that's a lot of work, and it will brilliant, can't wait to see the finished article.

Kerry COX
No doubt it will be a huge inspiration to all those 'Phantom' freaks who have an on going love affair with the most grunty and meaningful air fighters of our time. (BTW Gareth) I have plenty of spare 1/48 scale stencil decal sheets, if you want them, left over from my crash and burn build I never finished before painting a while back. (Hasegawa) 👍 🙂

Gareth Windsor
No bench time this weekend, busy with my son (new bike) BBQ and drinks with friends and a big family BBQ on Sunday. I plan to keep chipping away at it though.
I might take you up on those stencils Kerry, not for this one as I have the Master Decal dry rub set for this which looks pretty comprehensive, but I have another two to make in 1:48. 🤦‍♂️.

Clifford Keesler
Looking very nice Gareth.

Kerry COX
Gareth. Any progress on the Ptom. ?

Gareth Windsor
No Kerry. Life is getting in the way again, but not in a bad way. I'm hoping to get some colour done over the main body today.

Gareth Windsor
So I did get the pre shading done, but not without some issues. My compressor has thrown it's towel in which really didn't help, but I have a small backup. And my ghost grey primer which I was going to use to per-shade as turned, so that splattered and clogged the airbrush initially 🤦‍♂️. I got there in the end! Fingers crossed I will put the Dark Sea Grey down tomorrow.

Spanjaard
nice marble base
i see now that you have the hobbydecal set in the project. maybe it is better to give a matt coat for those dry transfers to stick better.... i had quite some fun with my black bunny set. but it is certainly worth it.

Clifford Keesler
It sure is looking good. Sorry to hear about your compressor. I am on my third one, but still have my first small one as a back up. I have a bigger one, but it is very loud, and my wife works nights. So I can't use it.

Gareth Windsor
I'm going to have to finally put my hand in my pocket Clifford and get a good model maker specific compressor. The one that's just given up was on sale and seemed a good deal (and yes, really noisy too), but false economy when you have to buy another a few years later 🤦‍♂️. I might see if I can find the instructions and if the store will honour the warranty (if there's any left).

Clifford Keesler
I hear you. I bought mine from TCP Global, and it comes with a 5 year warranty, and they replaced both of them with no problems. The last one is repairable. I just need to order a seal for it from them and it would most likely work fine again. My bigger louder one is a tank type and works really well, it is just to loud to use while my wife is trying to sleep.

Clifford Keesler
That is looking awesome sir, I see the finish line in sight.

Gareth Windsor
Well, you'd like to think that, but…. despite being very careful taking the tape off I still had a couple of little spots where the paint lifted 🤦‍♂️ I also used a cheap tape to cover the large area underneath (going to use Saran Wrap next time, everyday is a school day) and it's left some tacky residue on the paint.

Clifford Keesler
I hate when that happens. I am building a CF-104 right now, and I dread when it comes time to mask off different panels and the anti glare panel. NMF's don't like masking tape much, even when you think you have de-tacked it enough.

Maciej Bellos
Looking good Gareth!

tyu
As per your own comment: the grey looks way off. what brand of Extra Dark Sea Grey (BS381C:640) did you use?

Gareth Windsor
Tyu, I used Hataka Extra Dark Sea Grey from their Fleet Air Arm collection. I've gone through lots of pictures now and the shade and tones of the grey is all over the place depending on lighting condition and quality of the camera/film of the period. Holding the model up to the box picture (Hasegawa 892nas), the colour is actually fairly close.

tyu
As long as your monitor is calibrated the best way to check color is using digital references like: hextoral.com/hex-color/566164/

Your pic 97 looks closer than 96.

Gareth Windsor
So, summer holidays and you would think more bench time, but no. Either busy with the business (can't grumble too much at being busy there), spending time with family and friends (once again, no grumbling as I have unfortunately be reminded once again they can go all too soon) and shit the good lady wants me to do (now I can grumble 🤦‍♂️). So I regrettably used a cheap masking tape to cover up the large spaces on the bottom of the Phantom as I sprayed the grey white left sticky residue everywhere. I had to walk away for a bit. Great news, Hataka lacquer paints are very hardy once dry, so Windex, cotton wool and elbow grease did the job. I've started putting the dry rub decals straight onto to paint finish (no varnish) and they take beautifully.

Clifford Keesler
Glad it was an easy save. Looking very nice Sir.

Gareth Windsor
Thanks Clifford. I've told myself "no building other models until this is finished". My son has just asked if we can build a lightsaber. I can't tell him no.

Clifford Keesler
I know how that goes. Lol.

David H
Those dry rub decals are beautifully produced, clarity is amazing. Could I ask where you got them from ?

Nathan Dempsey
I agree with David. Well done with the application. I always find dry decals difficult.

Rui S
Looking great 👍

Clifford Keesler
Agree, looking great. Your hands should be sore by the time you get done applying all those famous Phantom stencils. Dry rub no less. Lol.

Spanjaard
Lots of fun with those stencils (about a thousand if I recall correctly), but they look amazing at the end. Looking fantastic already

Gareth Windsor
Thanks guys. They are good, but take a little getting use to. I've screwed a couple up as I'm learning and there aren't any extras 🤦‍♂️ Dave, they are made by Hobby Decal, but I bought them on a German model website while I lived in the UK. I think Sprue Bro's had them at one point.

hobbydecal.com/categ..ory=Pontosmodel_Sets

The key is to cut each one out as you go along. Fix it in exactly the right place with clear tape so it won't move as you rub away at it.
Spanjaard, you're not wrong! I even have the panel number to put on all the panels and they are so dam small.
Between weekends away and my business taking off, I haven't been able to give more than the odd hour here and there, but the labour of love continues.

Gareth Windsor
F-4 Decals

hobbydecal.com/price..20or%20&kind=all

FG.1 Decals
hobbydecal.com/detail.cgi?number=al48007v1

Spanjaard
No Gareth, there are no errors on those tiny ones... call it "weathering of the stencils" 😄 😄
I had a few being accidentaly "weathered" too 😉

David H
👍🏻 I'll give them a shot