First model in 26 years...
Definitely a "learning experience"...

My first attempt at a model in 26 years (also first attempt using an airbrush, and all the modern weathering tools & supplies, and... well let's just say a first)
The kit was more to get experience and practise using the tools and techniques rather than to produce the perfect model (at least that's the line I'm going with! 😄 )
There's a looooooong list of things wrong with this build, and it was full of wonderful disasters from start to finish (literally; removing the canopy masks removed all the painted framing too lol) but this is uploaded more as a monument to 'where I started' to look back on in time. This is definitely more of a Razzie than an Oscar!

The kit itself is a mixed bag: It is almost pre-built. The detailing is quite nice in parts, but extremely simplified in others, like the cockpit (basically just a box with a seat and a joystick). The engine is...odd. it looks more like the FM2's radial inside, and is completely missing the ventral exhausts of the F4F/FM-1. And it also has the six gun fitout of the F4F-4.
That said for something that cost $7AUD on sale, it is a great fun little build with minimal penalty for failure.