Royal Australian Air Force F-4E.

M.Julian Marles
Rad!

Kerry COX
For a kit that is almost 20 old, it still has a great deal of appeal for me.
I was at Amberley Air base in 1970 to see them arrive, and the NOISE, oh, oh, oh. !!!

Holger Kranich
Aussie markings and SEA camo, very cool!

Kerry COX
The same pattern camo is found on ALL Phantoms of the era, as it was part of the production line 'system', just like all the F-111's too, all exactly the same. And I do like the SEA camo , and you will also find the naval based birds were all 'brightly painted', along with all their sqn logos and such, much better than the drab grey. :-/

Clifford Keesler
I'll be watching this one. Nothing could howl louder than a pair of J-79's at medium power settings. IE on final to the boat or runway.

Kerry COX
Hi Clifford, and yes, they certainly let you know they were around, that's for sure. 🙂 🙂_🙂

Augie
Ahhh where is my seat?

Kerry COX
Right here beside me Augie, and I will listen to all you have to say, but be gentle. 🙂 👍

Augie
O.o lol Okies, tho I suspect you will make this better than any of my rhino's

Kerry COX
I do my best with what I find in the packet Augie, and I am about to post some pics of the ejection seats. (Very fiddly indeed). 🙂

Augie
Oh the bang seats can be a handful in these.. but they come out nice.

Kerry COX
The bang seats I am doing are currently for the Academy F-4C, and I will be getting the seats for the E a little later, (no money). LOL 🙂

Clifford Keesler
Sounds like me. LOL. I bought resin bang seats for the "B" but when I took then out to paint them, they had no belts. So had to build the kit seats and order a set of PE belts.

Kerry COX
These have everything needed. 🙂

Kerry COX
I hope those who looked at the image here will see that this particular F-4E has the long fairing on the gun, so I wont be wrong in adding the long one I have, and there is also an air scoop on the upper nose. 🙂

Clifford Keesler
I see that.

Ben STONE
Some photos of an F-4 I took at the South Australian Aviation Museum, might be of some interest.
scalemates.com/profi..bums&album=24341

Kerry COX
That's really generous of you to post the link Ben. And if you need some good images of the "Boneyard Wrangler" F-111, just say the word. 🙂 👍

Ben STONE
No worries Kerry, happy that they might be of interest to someone, that's why I took them. 🙂

Kerry COX
Good to know, but I am wondering if your a little confused with the F-111 and the F-4E Phantom, as I didn't see any Phantom shots mate. :-/

Ben STONE
maybe I am Kerry, I'm not a modern jet man......which is now very obvious I guess 🙂

Kerry COX
I love your honesty mate, but I am most grateful that you thought of me and that you were helping me out. 🙂 👍
Cheers good friend. 👍

Augie
How you going with the rhino?

Christian Ristits
Cool project!

Kerry COX
The pilot figures look like presenting a bit of a challenge. 🙂

Kerry COX
A lot of chopping with the verlinden stuff too I see. :-/

Gareth Windsor
Well if only we knew someone that was up for a challenge ...........oh, there you are. This looks like it will be another cracker from you Kerry.

Kerry COX
Hi Garreth, 🙂 Thanks mate. 👍
I just had a big shock, getting the nose cone ready for the radar system, and thank my stars I had a 'scrapped' F-4c that I could chop up to save the day. !! :-O
I will post what happened and a warning for those who may build this kit (If the Verlinden kit is used) because Verlinden are not clear where the cut is to take place. 🙁

Ulf Petersen
Hi Kerry, keep on, I follow closely.😉

Kerry COX
Hi Ulf, 🙂 It will be a whole new approach for me this time, as I have never done the Verlinden update and so far, it's been a bit of a drama, but my silly mistake had me thinking. :-/

Clifford Keesler
Looking good mate, I'll be following.

Kerry COX
Hi Clifford. 🙂 Thanks mate, 👍 I have two of these to build, but one will be with all the radar and gun fairing open, all care of the Verlinden update kit (As scarce as hens teeth to find !) and if all goes to planned, I am hoping to get an embroidered Squadron Cloth badge to go on the dio I am planning. 👍

Clifford Keesler
Good luck with it, I know it will turn out great.

Augie
Going good buddy 🙂 nice rescue

Kerry COX
Clifford and Augie, Thanks mates. 🙂 I really had a problem there for a while, AND the verlinden instructions are REALLY vague, so a lot of the fitting of parts is based on top reference images and tons of dry fitting, and after what seems like hours of whittling and sanding, it's working out, but so far, as all builds, it is a PITA but worth it.🙂 OH, ! I had to make the vulcan gun barrels from stretched spru...............THAT was fun LOL 🙂
It really helps when you have a big soft spot for an aircraft you really can associate with, meaning, I was taken onto the flight line on the day all of them flew in to Amberley in Qld from the USA, and I was able to touch, smell and get up close and personal, as one of the pilots I went to school with. So I really want this /these builds to be the best I can do. 🙂

Holger Kranich
Looks really great, Kerry! I love the cannon gas vent on the nose!

Kerry COX
Holger, G'day mate. 🙂
Yeah, I had some fun working that out, and it was one of the main reasons I am doing these F-4's, as the vent in all the images I saw looked so cool. hehehehe 🙂

Gareth Windsor
I went and bought another cheep model Kerry 🙁 I may need your help when I start to scratch build the gun on an A-10. Yours is looking very nice......you flash bastard.

Kerry COX
Gareth and James, Hi Guys. 🙂
Gareth, the barrels were relatively easy, having a ton of plastic to play with to eventually stretch enough of it to get the taper and size right, but the brass 'collars' the barrels pass through were all part of the VP kit, and each one had holes that were progressively getting smaller the closer you got to the tip of the barrels, and that was the easy part of the assembly, done one by one and trimming the base when finished.

Kerry COX
James, I really had to 'wing it' when it came to the 'surgery' mate, as the VP instructions are just totally vague, but I guess that these update kits were only meant to be used by modellers that have had some time in the hobby. :-/
There was a LOT of uncertainty in what I did, but I did it all, bit by bit, except for the BIG mistake I made in my first cut when removing the nose cone, cutting the wrong seam line. :-p
Lucky for me I had an older F-4C in my parts box after it did the "I think I can fly" trick off my bench.
So, with that handy, I was able to recover pretty well. :-/
So far, all is going pretty well, as I will have the two sets of 'Aries' pilots standing by their aircraft, ditching the kit seats for the Eduard replacements, and some service equipment and personnel working on the radar as the base for a dio of the two F-4E's on the flight line, while the second F-4 will be all 'ready for flight'🙂

arne vd burg
CooL! Taking a seat 👍

Kerry COX
Arne, James, Hi guys. 🙂
In all the time I have been modelling, I have only ever built one Phantom I was happy with, as I just never seemed to capture that 'look' the spooks are famous for with any other makers kits, but that was until I built the Hasegawa F-4C, some 25 years ago !!! 🙂
The Academy was close, but 'no cigar' if you know what I mean, and now I am into these two, I can see what I originally liked about the Hasegawa kits, as it is that classic 'shape' they captured so well, even though they were a difficult build, I still prefer them above all others. :-/
What really helps now is all that after market material that is so well detailed, like the cockpit internals, seats and crew, as these really compliment these old kits beautifully, and it is so worthwhile if you can get these older versions now. 🙂
There are a lot of the JSDF F-4's of various Mk's that really are no different from the older kits of 20/30 years ago, just the decal sheets are new, but the moulding is the same, 'clunky' with some annoying flash. :-/
Thanks for your vote of confidence in what I am doing James, and I still have my heart in my throat when I do "A CUT", as I just don't know how well it will turn out, but at least I am having some fun with this. 🙂 👍
Cheers lads, and stay tuned. hehehehe

arne vd burg
🙂🙂🙂👍

Kerry COX
Thanks Arne. 🙂 👍

Soeren R.
The Sidewinders looking really nice!

Kerry COX
James and Soeren, Thank guys, and the missiles I did put some effort into, as in the past, I have not had the detail like you can get now with the after market ones, especially with the stabiliser wheels at the rear of the main tail fins. 🙂 👍

Clifford Keesler
Awesome mate, a beautiful job so far.

Kerry COX
The TER's are amazing, all resin with some fuse wire thrown in for good measure.

Kerry COX
It will be refining the detail now, cleaning all the mould lines on the TER's just because they will look 1000% better if I do. 🙂

Clifford Keesler
Press on mate. Make her "shine"

Kerry COX
Oh Clifford. Mate. I am really impressed with the TER's and the detail, but I am having all kinds of dramas with the buffing metalizer on the tail planes, with all the different metal there, (about four in all) mostly the masking tape will mark up the buffed surfaces, even after over night dry times. Grrrrrr 🙁

Ulf Petersen
Great work on those tiny pieces, Kerry!👍

Kerry COX
Thank you Ulf, I do try to keep these old hands and fingers as steady as I can. LOL 🙂 👍

Bart Goesaert
very nice detailing on this bird...

Kerry COX
Bart, Thanks my friend. I try. 🙂 👍 !

Kerry COX
I am now preparing the model for the SEA camo, pencilling the lines as the pattern dictates.

Clifford Keesler
Keep on trucking. LOL.

Es-haq Khosravi
Fine job Kerry! Lovely!

Kerry COX
Es-haq and Cliff, thanks for the encouragement guys. 🙂 👍

Rex
I'm glad to see you building this, Kerry. This thread gives me some great references for when I tackle my "dinky scale" Australian F-4E.

Kerry COX
Rex, Thanks my friend, and now I ask, "Dinky Scale", ??? That has me intrigued.:-/ Can you give me a 'heads up' on what that is please mate. ? I am guessing, but is there a 'Dinky toys' cast model. ?

Rex
naw, Kerry, it is just a nickname applied to 1/72 models by some 1/48 and 1/32 guys. I've decided to be proud that I can still build in it, rather than to take offense when I read it, lol

Kerry COX
OK, And here comes a spectacular 1/72 F-4E I am thinking. 🙂
There are decals for marking up an Aussie F-4, I will get the link.
google.com.au/url?sa..m=bv.117218890,d.dGo

Rex
Hey, thanks a bunch for that link. I was going to try and force the old Esci decal Phantom sheet to work for me. Now, I won't have to. I noticed a Red Roo decal list there as well. No Step and etc are "meat and potatoes" for me, lol.

Kerry COX
Glad to help Rex, and If you need me to get it here for you and I mail it on to you. Just say the word. 🙂 👍

Donald Dickson II
OK, I had neglected to look in on this build for some reason. My apologies. Great job so far! I dont know what kind of stores you have in Oz, but a good craft store should have wire wrapping wire which is wonderfully flexible and can be had in fairly small diameters. Save you from having to scrounge through old CD players perhaps.😉

Kerry COX
Donald, being the scrounger I am, I have come across some amazing bits and pieces I have found to adapt into a lot of my builds, and as for the stores, we have some great choices now, but 5 years ago, it all had to be sourced from OS.
Thanks for looking in mate. 🙂 👍
Y'all come back now, yahear. !!🙂

Martien Lourens
I am already impressed, Kerry. From what you show us again.

Kerry COX
Martien, Your very kind my friend. 🙂
I am trying to work out a way to do this SEA cammo, and it means a little more handling of the model, but good results overall.
Patience is an acquired skill for me, having stuffed up a couple of major paint jobs.
But it should work ok. :-/

Soeren R.
Wonderful work so far Kerry. I never expected less from you😉

Kerry COX
Soeren, You are always so generous with your kind words mate, and thanks, it's good for me. 🙂
This build has set a few challenges for me, but hey, what's new. ?
Mainly, my airbrush is not behaving as it should, and I am not in a position to get a new one yet, but they say, a tradesman should never blame his tools. :-/
Oh well 🙂 👍

Christian Bruer
Excellent and informative WIP Kerry. Looking forward to your progress, Cheers Christian

Rex
Thanks for the offer, Kerry. But, I see quite a few other decal sheets on that site, so I will just make out an order for all of them on there.

Clifford Keesler
Totally awesome mate. I am in awe of your masterful skills.

Kerry COX
Gentlemen, Thank you all, most sincerely for your comments. 🙂
Though I am finding it a lot easier to do, especially with the wonderful after market bits that are available now. 🙂
I just hope I can get the blue tac to behave with the remainder of the painting that's in front of me. !!
Cheers lads. 👍

Gareth Windsor
All these Phantom builds going on and watching yours come to life, I had to do it. Local model shop has a "didn't sell" and "bought back" section, so when I saw the Revell 1/32 F-4E with some PE in the box for C$30 (almost same in AUS) I had to have it. I'm blaming you Kerry for making me buy it.

Kerry COX
Gareth, I have broad shoulders mate, and I can take the blame. LOL 🙂
That is a big and well detailed kit Gareth, and I am sure that you will have a most enjoyable time with it too, but just be careful with all the seam lines, especially on the undercarriage struts and rams. :-/
I have always liked phantoms, as there were so many variations. 👍
When do you plan starting on it mate. ?
I am wondering what the 'box art' is on the one you bought, as I see that there are many that were produced ,AND, is it made in Germany or the US. ?
Looking forward to your build Gareth. 🙂
Good luck.😉

Clifford Keesler
Man you guys are making it very hard for me not to go diving into another F-4, I swore when I finished the 106, I was going to build the F-15E that has been collecting dust in my stash, but now I hear my 1/32 F-4E/G calling my name.

Donald Dickson II
Dude! Do the 15E! I am telling you it is a great kit! But then the 1/32 4 is nice too...😉

Gareth, I am curious as well as to which one you got.

Kerry COX
Keep your focus Grasshoppers. 🙂
The number is not important, 15-4-16.:-/
Just give us something to oh and ah over. 🙂
Ommmmmmm. 👍

Gareth Windsor
I have a couple of other to build first before the dig spook. It's the 1976 model with the actual model on the front of the box. I can already see some issues but building the 1980 Tomcat has given me some confidence. I may have to bend your ear as I build it.

Kerry COX
I am all ears for you Gareth. 🙂

Donald Dickson II
Oooooo. I built that as a kid and tried again here a bit ago. Gave up after trying to use after market for the Tamiya kit and failing miserably. I have since seen stuff for the Revell kit to include a replacement nose, so I may try to get another and try again. Be interesting to see how it goes for you.

Stephan Ryll
Super build so far Kerry 👍

Kerry COX
Donald, Stephan, Thank you for your looking in and your kind words. 🙂
For a kit this size, I am just so happy with my patience and the after market items that are really breathing some life into this kit, being as old as it is, first released in1990 !👍
It's a pity I will not use the 30th anniversary decals, but to try and find an "E" model in 1/48 is nigh impossible these days, as these kits went out of production years ago, and that is strange really, given their popularity. :-/
I am 'blue tacking' the SEA camo pattern over the next few days, so it will prove interesting to see the results. 🙂
Stay tuned. LOL 🙂 👍

Christian Bruer
Looks very promising Kerry. 👍 Looking forward to the next paint session and the finished scheme.

Kerry COX
Hi Christian B, 🙂
Good to see you here mate. 🙂
There will not be much ordinance hanging off these two, but just enough for 'effect' 🙂
Two of them on the one dio base leaves me the space to have TER's on trolley's and service vehicles and ground crew around to 'fill in' the open spaces, so I am going to have to get the cammo exact for both. 🙂 👍

Kerry COX
Now, I wait for the paint to cure. 🙂 👍

Christian Bruer
Painting such curved schemes is always a challenge because of extensive masking, but you made it look so simple mate. Very well done 👍

Kerry COX
Thanks Christian B, I ended up using blu tac a long time ago, out of pure frustration, wanting to hold the templates in place, but as it turns out, I ended up working out a way to use it to it's full potential, and now, There are similar products out now like blu tac that work just as well. 🙂

Christian Ristits
I will stay tuned to your build, Kerry!

Kerry COX
The main cammo is finished, just touch ups and clear coat remains to be done. 🙂

Christian Bruer
Looks great mate 👍

Donald Dickson II
Looking good sir! Are you going to fade the paint at all or leave it as is?

Kerry COX
Christian B, Donald and James, good morning gents and thank you for your most welcome comments. 🙂 👍
I carried over some of the techniques I saw in a panel'n'paint shop where I watched a car being masked off for a whole lot of fine airbrush work where the sheet of plastic was placed over some double sided tape and the removal of the bits where the paint was to be applied, and it really works so well with the Blue Tac method.👍
Donald, I will be attempting the 'fading' you asked about, mostly to the upper surfaces, but I am not quite sure if my technique will be all that good. Do you have any suggestions or tips for me to get a good result please mate. ? It does look too 'green' at this stage, as I have seen some images of the Aussie F-4's that look quite sunburned and weathered looking, so I would like to get mine to look a little 'used'. All suggestions gratefully received. 🙂
Cheers. 🙂 👍

Donald Dickson II
The best way I know how is to mix white into the base color and lightly mist over it. Layer it more in some areas, less in others. Dont keep it to just the middle of the area as it comes out looking too uniform IMO.

Donald Dickson II
Hmmmm, and as I was looking at your pics again, an idea occurred to me. When I do mine, I will spray it all over tan, go ahead and fade the tan THEN paint over the greens then fade them.

Kerry COX
Donald, wouldn't you lose some surface detail with the paint being thicker. ?

What I have finally done was sand the whole surface with a small piece of 1500 wet and dry, removing that matt 'fuzz' and then wiping it all over with methylated spirits to remove all the fine dust, and it turned out better than I expected. It now looks like a well maintained but used war bird. 🙂
New images on the way. 👍

Kerry COX
OK, I have just uploaded the images of the 'sanded' version. Tell me if you think I need to do more. 🙂

Rex
It toned it down a lot,,,,,,the shots just before you sanded almost "shown" like a glossy color.
I do have a question, this is the first time I noticed them, but, did your Aussie Phantoms have the "Naval F-4" High Stress Landing gear mod? I ask because I see the cover plates on the top of the wing. And I don't see them in the photos of the real thing that you posted.

Kerry COX
Good spotting Rex, and no, they were not the "navalized ' version, and it is something I will have to remove to stop all the 'But that's wrong" brigade.

Rex
I did not intend to be one of those. I just thought that if you folks had installed the heavier trunnions (and the covers) , that I had to add that to my notes for Aussie F-4Es.

Kerry COX
Rex, I am happy you made your observation and It was something I had completely overlooked, but now, as you can see, I have done the modification and it is a weight off my mind. And as for 'one of those' comment on my part was not meant to be a shot at you, but rivet counters in general. Please don't feel offended if that was how you read what I said, sorry mate. 👍

Kerry COX
Thanks to Rex's sharp eye, he pointed out that the big lump on the upper surface of the wings was for the naval version and he also pointed out that the Australia "E" didn't seem to have that, and I have now removed the piece he was referring to, thank you Rex. 🙂 👍

Gareth Windsor
Morning Kerry. She looking good. Donald mentioned misting the colour back which does work. I used that method on my Cobra when I realized I'd made base colour too strong. I also did it over the decals which might be an idea for your sun-bleached top surfaces.

Rex
Glad you took it as intended. And no, I didn't think you meant me. The downside is that now you have two more touchups to do.

Donald Dickson II
Kerry, so long as you are not heavy handed with it, you won't lose detail. It's not a covering coat, but a light misting to change color. It does not take a lot to gain the effect.
Sanding with fine grit works too! LOL Looks like you got it right. Certainly knocked back the intensity.

Rex. So I presume that USAF planes are not going to have those humps either?

Rex
No, they won't. Those humps are covers over a portion of the wing that was cut on US Naval service aircraft. The landing gear trunnion was increased in strength because of "wing punch throughs" during hard landings. Since the extra beef made them larger around the top knuckle, wings had to be cut out and the covers installed.

Ironically, they are molded on a lot of 1/72 Phantoms,,,so to build most of the F-4Bs I like to do, I have to remove them.

Clifford Keesler
Looking right smart there mate.

Kerry COX
WOW, Gents. 🙂 No wonder I don't frequent other forums. 🙂 As the way we all interact here is just so heartening, and, not an angry word is sight. 👍
Thank you all so much for your suggestions and tips and especially the support for and from each other. 🙂
After all the corrections Rex, the touch up will be a piece of cake. LOL 🙂 👍.

Clifford Keesler
I have to say I agree with Kerry, I have made so many friends on this forum, and learned so much, and even been able to teach a little. It is a joy to belong to.

Kerry COX
You bet. 🙂 👍

arne vd burg
I agree guys
Good progress Kerry.
For fading I always add a few drops of white to the colour to get a lighter shade and spray that inside the panels leaving the outsides the original colour . If you want you can check the effect at my recent project (spitfire).

Kerry COX
Arne, G'day mate and thank you for the tip and I will take a good look at your Spitty and see what you have done.🙂
I am pleased you like my progress too. 🙂
See you there. 👍

Steve -
Well Kerry, I go away on a round the world paddle board race ( ?you DO believe that don't you?? 🤔 ) Any how I come back to find this fine example of the modelers art ! Well Done, Thankfully you corrected the horrendous glaring hump covers issue, before I saw it (like I would have known any different😉 ) very skilled and the paint -too bad you couldn't find any new paint. Being force to use that old faded paint.......OH Wait! I get it, its Supposed to look that way! 😳 😄
Seriously: Great job Mate 👍 👍 👍 👍

Kerry COX
Steve, I do believe you mate. 😉 (thousands wouldn't) hehehehe
Thanks for looking in and your appraisal is most welcome. 🙂
It was Rex who is the wealth of info on the F-4's and he graciously pointed out what the lumps represented and advised me that the Aussie ones didn't have them, something I really didn't notice until he came to my rescue. 🙂
But I have had a wealth of good advice and tips on how to achieve the 'sun-bleached' look for my beast and now I am fully informed, I am not so scared of the next effort on the one that follows this. 👍
I love your sense of humour Steve. 🙂 👍

Rex
lol @ "too bad you couldn't find any new paint",,,,that is a good line
as for spotting "Phantom things", if you spend a few years around the Hasegawa 1/72 kits, you will find that each box has about 67 parts that are on the trees, but, don't get used on your build. It becomes a game to figure out which you need from all of those options. Quick examples are that both long and short burner cans are in every kit, along with thin and thick tires, and both wheel types, giving you instant spare parts to upgrade other Manufacturer's stuff with. My own favorite is that because an RF-4 is a section of the series, EVERY Single frappin' kit has the Photo flare door and flare well molded into the rear fuselage,,,,,,so, you always have a set of "bonus seams" to fill for all of the other versions. (Thanks Hasegawa, lol) And yes, they went to all that trouble,,,,,,and then left out one of the F-4B tail tip variations, you have to make that yourself. (and never made a true USAF outer weapons pylon)

Christian Bruer
Well spoken Kerry 👍

Looking forward to your progress!

Cheers, Christian

Kerry COX
Rex and Christian, Good morning guys. 🙂 (6.04am Thursday here) 👍
Rex, You have just presented me with my new modelling project, a 1/72 F-4E, as I have been a 1/48 to 32 man like forever, but was challenged by Bill Gillman to do a 1/72 and, I scoured my little bit of grey matter for one I thought would be a good model I could tackle, and when you spoke of all the variables oh their Hasegawa 'minni me's', You gave me the answer. 🙂
Christian, I have come to understand that what is usually said here is from the heart, and with always the best of intentions, and I always try to respond as diplomatically as I know how, and it always gets a good response, and for that, I am always grateful for my friends and mates here being tolerant too. THAT is what makes Scale Mates the very best forum on the net, bar none. 🙂 👍
Cheers dears. 🙂 👍

Rex
Mr Roo, if you need any help or tips with that, start a thread on MM, and you will get Scott, myself, and about 3 others chiming in. Scott has built far more of the 1/72 tooling than the number of articles suggests.
And I can ID each bit on the sprue for any of the boxings. There are only about ten "actual sets of plastic, resin or metal" in them, after all

Kerry COX
Mr Rex, Thanks for the info mate, and I will be looking for all kinds of info that will help me make an accurate build. 👍

Donald Dickson II
Rex, weren't the thick tires USAF? I swear I remember reading somewhere they wanted thicker tires when they did their evals.

Rex
Yes, Donald, the thick tires were USAF, but, they were also F-4J/S tires, too. Hasegawa gives us the thick tires, and both the USN and USAF wheels for them in each boxing,,,,,,,,along with the thin USN tires and wheels in one piece