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Donald Dickson II
OK, so I am doing another Phantom. Almost as surprising as me doing an Eagle. 😄 LOL

So, I was asked to do one to use the landing gear and exhaust set by 3D Chute Expert out of Taiwan. My club Pres has a page that he highlights builds and products, and 3D is one of the companies he showcases. So he sent me this set, which is not in the database here yet. But to the build.

This is the Academy kit. I LOVELOVELOVE this kit. This is my 3rd one. The only drawback to the kit is the gear wells, but I think I have the best way to do them figured out now. Still the only part of the kit I detest. So, as I wait for the Eduard PE for the cockpit to get here, I moved right on to the landing gears. As I said, I was given this set to try out, and I will give my honest opinion. You all know I dont mince words. LOL That being said, these things are great! The detail is superb. They fit right into the wheel well with no hassles. I simply hit them with some gloss white, a dirt wash as this is going to be Col Olds's plane as it flew, not as the museum piece. Did a couple of the lines black and poof, thats it. No need to add any parts from the kit (aside from maybe landing lights) as they have every detail already on them. A total winner in my book.

And as to the subject matter. If you dont already know, Col Robin Olds (he eventually made Brigadier General) was one of the best pilots to grace the cockpit of an aircraft. Triple ace between WWII and Nam. Definitely should read up on him. There arent many, if any, left like him. If youre a Phantom phan and a USAF guy, this plane is a must do. 🙂

Donald Dickson II
Landing gear installed and wings together. Intakes together and done with the latex paint method. Got the PE for the pit finally, so that has commenced as well.

Donald Dickson II
OK, PE installed for the pit. The lading gears came with wheels as well. And they are just as nice as the gears. Just gotta add a little dirt to em. And the seats from the kit. I could have sworn I had some resin seats in my parts box, but alas, no. I ordered the PE belts to dress up these. They are pretty good aside from no belts. I need to redo the oh shit handles.

David H
Ok gotta ask . " Latex paint method" what's that all about ???

Donald Dickson II
David, I did a sort of tutorial...

Intake painting | Album by smokeriderdon

Augie
Love the work so far Don 🙂

Maciej Bellos
Grabbing a seat!

Donald Dickson II
Augie, thanks! Maciej, welcome!

OK, its starting to look like a Phantom now.

Matt Dika
The F-4 always has a special place in my heart.. Keep up the good work!

David H
Cheers Don, I'm definitely giving that a try. Just got to find some paint 😁👍🏻 which I've just learned from a quick google search is known as "emulsion" here in the UK ! 😁

Donald Dickson II
Its a mess, but it works pretty well. 🙂

Got the tires on, front landing gear on. These things look fantastic in place. Again, cant recommend them enough. Ill be using his products more often I think. Also, I got one seat done with the PE belts. Man its tedious. Doing just this convinces me I will NEVER do a freaking ship. LOL

Donald Dickson II
OK, back to this one. Primed and silver sprayed a bit. You can see the blue spots. Thats masking fuid. Once I paint the camo over it, I will scrub the paint and get the chipping effect his plane has in the pic.

Thats the plan anyway. LOL

Donald Dickson II
2/3 of the initial camo on.

Dog sitting at a friend's house for a couple weeks so had to bring half my bench with me. Getting a bit of work in.

For those that care, 6 dogs. 2 are mine. A cocker and a Pit. Hers are the puts sister, a Pit boxer mix, a mastiff mix and a pit Shar pei mix. Woohoo! LOL

Donald Dickson II
I think I may have done a bit much on the weathering.

Donald Dickson II
Well, for better or worse I'm going with heavily weathered active war bird because that's what it was. I'm sure plenty will criticize, but I like the look. A few more little things then decals.

Augie
looking good Don 🙂

CaptGPF
Taking a seat to watch

Donald Dickson II
Working on the decals. Not going to do much by way of stencils. But the couple I did do by the cockpit are driving me nuts. They arent silvered, but I can dull them down. Grrrrrrrr.

Donald Dickson II
Thank you Augie. 🙂

Welcome Capt. 🙂

So, as discussed, no way am I doing all those stencils. I did the few for emergency egress and a couple warnings, and thats sufficient. I once spoke with an HH-43 pilot who told me half the birds he flew didnt even have the US Air Force on the tail. I am pretty sure the planes being pretty was the last thing on their minds during that war.

Anyway, this is her. Just have to do the little things like bay doors. Then the part I hate the most. Weapons. Blargh. So next trip to the bench will be that. Last update until I finish. 🙂