A pair of Japanese Phantoms

[Rhino]

Hi All

My next two builds will be a pair of Japanese F-4EJ Kais in special markings which I have had an eye on for some time.

The first one is the gorgeous 8th Hikotai retirement scheme, which is one of the more tasteful Japanese schemes, especially as I like overall black schemes.

The second is the Model Alliance scheme once again from 2008, with the lurid green paint, which was painted for the move of 302nd Hikotai from Okinawa to Nyutabaru.

I made a start on the black one today, as seen below.

I'm building both OOB except bang seats which will be quickboost.

Thanks for looking.

Ted

[Antony Robertson]

Ooh, nice choices!

I'll watch this with interest

Antony

[Rhino]

Hi All

While my attempt at a RF-4B is being bogged down, I've managed to get some work done on the first of two F-4EJ Kai's.

The first shots are the completed airframe which is painted black, with white gear bays (colour details for viewers with Black and White monitors.)

The last 2 shots show the start of the decalling process. With several hundred stencils, this may take a while. It's worth it though, this is a gorgeous scheme from the Japanese paint masters.

Hope you enjoy the show so far.

Ted

[Rhino]

Hi All

First off, apologies for a lack of updates. I've been away enjoying myself at a couple of airshows instead of slaving under a hot lead light.

Progress on the Black Phantom is good, I now have completed stencilling her. I'm going to wait overnight and slap some varnish on it.

Once that's done it's a matter of fitting the dangly bits and she'll be done.

To the pictures.

Thanks for looking.

Ted

[Jay Banbury]

The black scheme looks fantastic Ted. In fact, I've got the scheme in 1/48 ... if it's turns out half as good as this I'll be over the moon.

Cheers

Jay

[Rhino]

Hi All

I've finally finished the first Japanese Phantom. I do like this scheme.

The build went as well as usual with a Hasegawa kit, done so many now they just fall into place.

Jay.

Thanks for the comments.

For your build I would recommend getting a pot of Aqueous Hobby Color H4 Yellow paint, which matches the kit decals perfectly, and using the kit decal as a guide paint the leading edge and top of the fin with that, as the kit decals don't fit too well.

Hope that helps your build.

Thanks for looking.

Ted

[periklis_sale]

excellent work mate!

[Rhino]

excellent work mate!

Thanks Periklis, but compared to yours, not so good, eh.

You'll be able to see it in person at the Glasgow show.

Ted

[Antony Robertson]

That's gorgeous, the Japanese schemes are amazing!

Antony

[Jabba]

Well done, something different indeed.

[Rhino]

Thanks for the kind comments guys, I guess I'd better build another one.

[Alan Hooker]

Lubbly jubbly!! That's one great looking Spook. Bravo that man!

[bexwh773]

Superb work Ted, cant wait for the next installment

Bexy

[Rhino]

Hi All

After the excitement of the last Japanese Phantom, it is time to crack on with the next.

I got home Friday lunch time and I've been busy with this one.

The first 3 photo's show Fridays progress which basically was construction.

This one went together quite well, so progress was rapid.

Saturday was mainly devoted to completing the basic fuselage, and filling and rubbing down as needed. Again, progress was straight forward.

Sundays work involved painting the radome, and masking it off.

Next was the metal area round the tail, followed by a coat of FS36375 as a base coat.

I've given up at this point to allow the paint to set, before masking the metal areas and a second coat of FS36375.

The next stage will be sorting out the worn basic paint, which appears to have been washed, but the partial top coat has worn away. Should be an interesting challenge.

Hope you like this one so far.

C&C always welcomed.

Ted

[bexwh773]

Hi Ted,

The heat shields look very smart, and progressing well

Bexy

[Rhino]

Hi Ted,

The heat shields look very smart, and progressing well

Bexy

Cheers Bexy.

I'm planning on tabling these at the Glasgow show if anyone wants to see them.

Ted

[Rhino]

Hi All

First, apologies for no updates recently, I had a bout of depression, and decided it was better to leave the modelling alone. I'm OK now, so I've got some more done over the weekend

The simple paint scheme is made a bit more difficult with it's patchy appearance around the rear fuselage. I tried one approach which didn't work, so I tried again. The first attempt used Mr Hobby masking fluid, but it didn't seem to like coming off the model, and so I redid the affected area with fresh paint (the base colour is FS36375), then I used Blu Tack to mask the blotchy area as can be seen in the first 2 shot's.

Next, the upper coat of FS36320 was sprayed over the relevant areas. The upper masked area was for the green paint. The masking was then removed, the results of which can be seen in the next 2 pictures.

The repainted area was then masked, and the green sprayed on. All the masking was then removed, and the following 2 pics show the result.

I took the opportunity to do the drop tanks at the same time as here.

The next stage is to touch up the black area at the radome, then cover in Kleer for the decalling process which will be done next weekend.

Thanks for looking in.

Ted

[bexwh773]

Ted,

Looking good, but by eck that green is bright

Bexy

[Jabba]

Nice one, though as Bexs said that green is rather a bit on the bright side.

[Rhino]

I hear you guy's, but there's not a lot I can do, as that was what the JASDF used. I reckon this scheme was sponsored by Ray Ban.

I reckon it'll look good amongst a series of grey Phantom's though.

[bexwh773]

I hear you guy's, but there's not a lot I can do, as that was what the JASDF used. I reckon this scheme was sponsored by Ray Ban.

I reckon it'll look good amongst a series of grey Phantom's though.

Oh theres no doubt about that one Ted

Bexy

[Rhino]

Hi All

I've made some more progress on the luminous Phantom. Rumours that it glows in the dark appeare to be in error, although above the arctic circle (Glasgow) it never gets that dark.

This weekend was spent glossing the finish and applying the decals. What isn't so obvious is the Japanese decided to add a black pinstripe to the green, and this took a while to get right.

The pictures show the state of affairs after decalling.

Onc the decalling was complete, the finish was matted down, and final assembly started. The undercarriage legs have been added as well as the inner wing pylons.

The cockpit canopies has been unmasked and polished as well.

These are the decalled wing tanks waiting for their turn at the matting process.

I'm not sure when I will finish this, as I am away next weekend on a sea voyage again.

Comments are always welcomed.

Ted

[periklis_sale]

Great work mate!

how did you manage to get that glossy paint job?

:worthy::worthy::worthy:

[Rhino]

Hi All

Finally completed the second Phantom following my short sea cruise.

Heres a few photos

The last shot is a group photo of the two together.

Periklis

A glossy finish is easy, just use floor polish. I also use Mr Color acrylic paints which have a nice, fine pigment which helps.

Thanks for looking all, much appreciated.

Ted

[SaintsPhil]

What an awesome pair of Phantoms! I think the Japanese give the Germans a run for their money with the special schemes!

I'm going as a silly question but what scale are they?? I can't see it mentioned anywhere in the thread!!

Phil