Scalemates F-4 Phantom II Group build 2022 (WIP)

Konrad -
And here we go! Are you doing this scheme?

Neil
Hi Konrad 🙂 Yeap!

Sergej I
Watching! 🙂

Konrad -
Coooollllll! Love the Thunderbirds!

Neil
Me too! I've seen the 16s. But imagine a bunch of twin engine F4s roaring about!

Robert Podkoński
Watching too, of course! I always wondered how such a machine like Phantom could perform aerobatics (and it was the mount-horse for Blue Angels at the same time...)

Neil
Hi Robert 👍 excellent!... Agreed. I think they likely just used POWER to impress! 😁💪 The Esci write up actually says: 'the Phantom did never prove to be an aircraft suitable for aerobatics, dimensions, excessive power and not least great fuel consumption did not render it qualified for the needs of the Thunderbirds'... I can believe that! I think they used the T38 next. However please correct me if I'm incorrect 👍🙂

Jos Jansen
Oh nice!

Neil
Hi Jos 🙂 gosh. All you modelling masters on this thread. ☺️ I better try for a decent crack on this old kit! 😜🤞 Roll on 2022 👍

Patrick Hagelstein
I once received that kit as a hand down from my parents' friends and it is a surprisingly nice kit. Cockpit is bare and inaccurate, but the fit is great and the panel lines very refined. I might dig it up some times actually.

Gary Victory
Good luck with your build Neil. Enjoy it and im sure you will turn out a stunner. 👍

Neil
Thanks Patrick, agreed. I usually like 'em. I've built a few ESCI kits from my stash. Am currently working an old ESCI Mirage 2000 build too. 👍🙂

Neil
Thanks Gary 👍 very kind of you 😊 fingers crossed mate 🤞

Dean Harpster
I'm old enough to have seen the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels fly the F-4. It was amazing - the show was designed to emphasize the speed and power of the F-4. They switched to to T-38 and A-4 respectively due to budget cuts and rising fuel cost as I recall. Can't wait to see your finished model!

Neil
Hi Dean. Thanks for your comment - as suspected, fuel and costs. You're a lucky chap. I bet those were impressive and LOUD displays indeed! 😎

Robert Podkoński
Yeah, I would give much to see these in action again...other classic jets, like Saab Viggen or Harrier, likewise 😉

Arif Saeed
Oh yes definitely in 🔥🔥

Robin (WhiteGlint)
Watching. 👀

Neil
Fantastic! Welcome aboard mates 👍

David H
Definitely in. Seat and popcorn at the ready..🍿

Neil
Hi David, excellent news! Welcome mate 🙂

Neil
Excellent! Welcome Roland 👍👍

Remco van Haren
Now thís looks interesting! Following.

Neil
Welcome Remco 🙂 thanks for your interest. I'd better make a start on this kit sometime soon! 😄

Maciej Bellos
Well probably the brick with engines wasn't suitable for aerobatics but entering a steep climb over my head with full afterburners is something I will remember forever.

Looking forward to the build.

Neil
@maciej did you see them fly Phantoms also? I've seen various Phantoms display, but not as flown by the Thunderbirds. You're indeed lucky to have seen 👍

Maciej Bellos
No I haven't seen the Thunderbirds any time in my life, but here in Greece we still have Phantoms flying and back in 2013 there was a show here for the 60 years of the 348 TRS. Great show from 4 Phantoms roaring right above us.

Neil
Oh wow! Bet that was impressive. And LOUD! 🔊 I have seen the Thunderbirds at IAT, but flying f16s. 👍 It was spectacular and very American in showmanship 😎

David H
Wow that's some chasm..You'll be filling that gap with styrene sheet then !! Is this the phantom that is now marketed by italeri..? As I had the same issue with that although not to that degree

Neil
Hiya David, I haven't actually added styrene sheet to my modelling arsenal since returning to this hobby, so I'll likely use Vallejo filler or similar. I'm pretty convinced this kit has had a hard prior (storage life) as the plastic is also quite yellowed. Of course it could also be down to my own ineptitude!... I believe it does share a lineage with that kit, though I am far from an expert in such things. Thanks for your comment mate - I'll check out your build also 🙂 👍

John
Neil, with all these ESCI kits you're doing you must be a glutton for punishment. Doing a great job with them but you should probably do a nice and well-fitting TamiyaGawa kit to take a break from all the filling, sanding and fitting!

Guy Rump
Looking good 👍

Neil
@John, yeah I think you're right! It all seemed like a good idea at the time... Stop just collecting all these old kits and build them instead. In retrospect it may be sending me a bit 'insane in the membrane'! 😂 I'll also never finish this in time either!

Neil
Thanks Guy 🙂