Building the Italeri 1/48 Scale F-4J Phantom II Fighter Jet

In this video piece, we’ll be constructing, detailing, and lightly weathering the 1/48 scale F-4J Phantom II Jet Fighter plastic model kit by Italeri - kit #2781
(This is My Model Corner Amateur Project Build #12)
A retrospective of Projects 1-12 is presented at the end of the video.
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Music Credits:
Intro: “St. Patrick’s Parade” - Free from KZbin Music Library
“World Melody” By Moonheart -- Creative Commons (CC0) from Freesound.org
“Surrealism” by Andrewkn -- Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication from Freesound.org
“Pinecone” by evanjones4 -- Creative Commons (CC0) from Freesound.org
“Scotland the Brave” -- Creative Commons (CC0) from Freesound.org
“Long Note Two” by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/
“Heartbreaking” by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Image Credits:
Photos of the F-4 Phantom are from Public Domain sources such as the U.S. Military and Government
ERROR(s) for this video: I misspoke and said "AIM-9 Sparrow" and "AIM-7 Sidewinder". It should be "AIM-7 Sparrow" and "AIM-9 Sidewinder"

[@ericp.]

My condolences for your pets that passed away. Losing a beloved pet is really like losing a family member.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Yes, they are my greatest joy...and sorrow. Thanks, Eric.

[@ronnie_5150]

@Tristen Jayson Sounds like you need a new girlfriend if you need to hack her account.

[@michipard2a786]

One of the best Phantoms i've ever seen! Great job Max! Greetings from Switzerland!

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Michi Panther, I appreciate your comments from all the way overseas!

[@LordVulcan93]

His modeling skills are incredible.

[@omerashraf9357]

@@MaxAfterburner Please make a Hawker Tempest mk 2 of the Pakistan air force. love from Pakistan.

[@JohnBarrow1961]

Excellent. The Phantom has always been one of my favorites. Really sorry about your dogs. I know that pain all too well. Cheers.

[@jsidaho1957]

Great looking Phantom ! I too am old enough to remember when F-4's were a common sight and seeing them at airshows was always cool. I like the mottled application of your base coats, it adds subtly to the weathering. Thanks for sharing this and here's to a great 2019 ! Also, sorry for the loss of your two pups. It is never easy to lose a loved one, whether they have two legs or four.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks very much JS Idaho for all your comments! Best Wishes to you for the New Year 2019 :-)

[@arierickson6137]

If you ever get the chance I think you would love to build the Academy Phantoms. They fit together really well and the kits are just plain fun to build

[@macgynan]

At 20:30 you got the AIM-9 mixed up with the AIM-7. You did get it right at the start of the video. Regardless great job. It looks really good.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi MacGynan, I sure did! :-P

[@luisr.villanuevalorenzo6446]

Tengo una 💡 en los motores ponerle luces y dentro del motor pintarlo en rojo como si estuviera prendido Nice 🙂

[@olliety]

Another excellent build, well done! Your channel is a firm favourite of mine, I normally can't wait to watch when I see you've got a new video up! Merry Christmas!

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Oliver, Happy New Year to you for 2019!

[@jasonrhodes9683]

That pod on the center line should be a gun pod, not a fuel tank. It was originally believed that modern fighters wouldn't need a gun with all the guided missiles. Turns out they were wrong and a gun system was cobbled onto the Phantom.

[@stuco81]

it was more common for carrier operations to be done using the center line tank as it saved the stress fatigue caused by catapult launching with bombs and outer wing fuel tanks on.

[@zzodr]

By the time VMFA333 was stationed on the Nimitz the war in Vietnam was over and they hardly ever carried the gun pod.

[@Peter_Morris]

Man I love your videos. It’s like a cross between a Wings episode (back when Discovery was awesome) and one of those old how-to videos on PBS back in the day. Informative and calming. A great way to unwind.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Peter, thanks! Viewers are finding different ways to enjoy these videos, so this is great to hear!

[@aigarslindentals8315]

Excellent work,but Italeri PHANTOM models have mistake with canopy. It must be always open.

[@bugstomper4670]

The F-4 Phantom airframe could keep accelerating until it melted and blew apart. It was limited to Mach 2.4 Any jet made of aluminum, starts turning into jelly at Mach 2.6

[@seb250cr]

My all time favourite fighter plane. Beautifully built. Thanks for your great job.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Sebastien 😉

[@Z09SS]

Those ECM fairings on the intakes make it an F-4S...

[@josephsavicki9201]

F4j had also

[@eclipsehorse8693]

wow, just can't tell you enough how Im enjoying all of your builds! I've watched a few of your other kit builds on your channel, and Im just in awe! Thanks for making it easy to follow along, sharing soem really nifty construction tips, and providing a little background on what your building along the way. Im gettting back into model building after a little hiatus- you've given me more than a little to try on my next kit! keep up the fantastic work!

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Eclipse horse and have fun 🙂

[@paulknipe3246]

Another great, informative video. Thank you.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed!

[@kevinjackson9649]

Excellent video and I'm very sorry for the loss of your sweet dogs. Very nice memorial at the end of the video. Take care!

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Kevin!

[@piloto5248]

JUST WOW NICE WORK

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Juan! 😃

[@Richardbillig-zn3zc]

Hi Sir I see you covered F-4J Black . I learned Black Color Shows more heat. I also learned heat is light in the Wave Spectrum. Maybe that's way when moist hit stealth planes Black paint Change the layering paint stealth pattern of the plane.I not 100% sure Sir if Micro Robots green paint be goos. I heard Micro paint green when chip of it re paint on the chip area.The Micro robot green paint take Radar wave as energy that's a plus to.wow you did great Teaching the paint layering. Thank you Sir.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Richard, glad you enjoyed this F-4J Phantom II ! 😎

[@theripper0331]

Just beautiful brother! Keep it up. I always look forward to watching you build.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks so very much Manny 1!

[@charlesmoore758]

Enjoyed watching your build! Wish I had your talent. Hope to watch more great builds from you, great job!

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Charles, you can do it too!

[@alrammd]

love the phantom as well as it was the dominant jet when i started building models in the 70's, and your vids are very helpful. Re: raised panel lines versus recessed panel lines...is there a guideline on what brands and production years that we can expect recessed panel lines on? In the last 3.5 years I have completed two 1/48 Testors Phantom F4-G's, a 1/72 Testors F-16D, a 1/48 Monogram F-15C Eagle, and two 1/48 Revell Tomcats and was disappointed to find all had raised panel lines inside (older kits found on eBay as my son was seeking jets exclusively with tigershark mouths and then jets from bases in our state). A newer 1/48 F/A -18 Superhornet from Revell was purchased locally and thankfully had recessed panel lines and rivet holes. The finished look is so much nicer. I learned from the internet that Italeri and Testors had either used the same molds or that one company had purchased the other's old molds? What year/scale Italeri would you recommend?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi alrammd, some model companies were quicker than others to get away from those dreaded raised panel lines, but I can only guess that overall the recessed panel lines became the norm around 2000-2001(?). Max's Models on KZbin has made many interesting videos about the history of some model companies that are still around today and of others that have become extinct. You may note from the documentaries that often molds from companies that go out of business are sold to others and are simply re-boxed under another brand name. Scalemates.com also has many history pages about individual kits out there. You may get "clues" about when quality and standards ramped up from those listings.(The F-4J is the only Italeri model I've built thus far, so I'm not too knowledgeable about their line of products.) Hope that helps! 😄

[@luisr.villanuevalorenzo6446]

Todo modelo debería traer los pilotos se verían más atractivo Si

[@eduardogarcia-bz9kt]

I wish I could have a tenth of you patience. You're amazing

[@jean-pierremontbazet8068]

Great models, your job is fantastic !

[@luisr.villanuevalorenzo6446]

Si compras el modelo sería bueno que trajese los parches

[@petermoscone3115]

when you remove the panel wash is the swab wet or dry ?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Peter, the cotton is moistened with plain water.

[@kevinchapman635]

The f 4 and f 15 made by same team in st Louis mo. My back yard as a teen. And a friend's dad designed and built both aircraft ! F 15 was far better ! But f 4 was a great platform for the work performed. Sad it's gone. But that's the nature. Nice work

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Kevin 🙂

[@drivewaystar6485]

That super thin spray pattern coming out your airbrush is giving me an anxiety attack. But overall it looks awesome. Great job!

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Driveway STAR, thanks for the kind comments 😃

[@Johnny-tt8zc]

Beautiful jet. I love how you did the wash. Question. What do you use for your wash?

[@MaxAfterburner]

This one was a wash using pastel powder mixed in water.

[@larryshamlin8578]

Sorry for your loss,my little buddy Lumpy the cat passed in 2005,and still miss her.Excellent job on that kit too.Very easy build for you,didn't know you build armor to,I too build armor and military vehicles,started out with aircraft in the 80s.So many phantoms that I do believe I also built the same kit.Thanks for sharing.🤓

[@fishbarbeque8540]

I love how use no music, just the art of model building. period. edit: but you did use some, in a not over powering way.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Fish BBQ, sometimes I don't have much to say, but I'm trying to increase the amount of narration in my newer videos. 😉

[@kuzenleroyunda260]

Turkey F-4's RF-4E Phantom II And F-4E 2020 Terminator :D

[@vietnammodeling]

Very nice result on such a basic kit. For my taste, the black wash is a bit too much. I would go for a grey wash. But that is just a matter of taste of course.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Certainly!

[@stuco81]

This could be a nice seller for Italeri..... if they priced it at reasonable rrp. Unfortunately they seem to be asking (at least in the UK) the same sort of money as Academy charge their f-4.

[@franciscoolguin6125]

Estas alas volantes siguen siendo fantasticas k bueno k los hagan a scala también estan del uno

[@MaxAfterburner]

Muchas Gracias, Francisco!

[@LE0J0YCE]

Great job! I always enjoy your calm explanations and background information on each model. 1/48 is also my favourite scale :) For my own model building (the first after some 25 years) I'm soaking up your techniques to improve the outcome. Thanks for your work and many greetings from Germany (where the Phantom looked way different, but I remember the chill on my skin hearing the exact same sound of it as a child)

[@LE0J0YCE]

...and - what I saw just now after posting my comment - feeling with you about your recent loss. We've been through it, two times, too...

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Filo, I hope you have great success on your projects!

[@luisr.villanuevalorenzo6446]

Donde SE puede conseguir los pilotos? Los venden aparte?

[@MaxAfterburner]

No se proporciona ninguno en el kit

[@waltervangorden40]

How's it going? You did not seem to have to use a lot of putty work,how do you rate this kit overall?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Walter, it's not a bad one. Although, the new Tamiya F-4 Phantom kit has gotten a lot of good reviews. 😉

[@raymadani270]

Italeri kits are crap

[@luizaugustodasilvajunior6159]

Good night Max...🙏 Again: Wonderful....Great....The Best!! Super Fi!!! I have 5 dogs. My best friends and family. Much better humans...🤗 Congratulations...👏👏👏 🇧🇷🇺🇸🇧🇷🇺🇸

[@MaxAfterburner]

🐶

[@Air-Striegler]

I feel your loss. Our French Bulldog just passed away after my mom had fought for his health for 2 years continuously...

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks, and I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It's hard to let them go, isn't it?

[@Air-Striegler]

@@MaxAfterburner Absolutely. Men's best friend, always says I love you, always listens to what you have to say and very very rarely disagrees. Perfectly made for humans. 😂😥

[@VonDrinkoften]

Another great looking build! I've built a number of Italeri kits and they sometimes can be VERY hit and miss. They have a very bad habit of re-releasing old 1970's era kits in new boxings with new decals. But you appear to have done pretty well on this build and pulled it together nicely! Gotta love them Phantom! Hope you had a great Xmas and all the best for 2019! BTW check out my build albums on scalemates if your interested... www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=18989&p=albums&show=all

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks James C! I see you're mainly an armor builder (Nice work, BTW). I love to look at hobbyists' armor pieces. I actually think it's the best genre of all the model fields. It's so versatile in what can be created and how it is detailed. Best wishes to you for 2019!

[@MottysMilitaryModels]

Stunning work as always !!! You've cirtainly got the right noise to resemble the A-10. It sent shivers down my spine !! Lol I hope you get to down from the dipsticks below that just can't help themselves to not put what's wrong with this fabulous build !!! You've done another amazing job. I hope you and your family are well buddy and have a great Christmas and new year !! I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It's horrible we've had dogs all of our lives and lost one last year that I had from the prison where I was stationed as she was to nice to be a sniffer dog. !!! Stay safe my friend and have a brill new year

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Steve, always great to hear from you! Dogs Rule! I wish you and yours the very best for the New Year 2019!

[@405chiraq]

Sorry to bother you again, but with the tomcat every model I have seen it’s been just one whole shade of gray for the entire aircraft while in the instructions it calls for three on the cats from 101 11 and Vf-2. What’s the deal? Please help me! Thanks.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Riley, that's a great question for sure. I struggle with the same conflict. I find in most images of the actual F-14 aircraft that the differences in the grey shades are often indiscernible. I usually go with what I can see in those photographs which may mean I ignore the other greys. However, if you like the look of the paint guide suggestions, definitely go with what pleases you.

[@harryscammell]

Hi Riley, Tomcats were originally painted in the Gull Grey over White Schemes like Max's Phantom, but later they were painted overall Gull Grey. Later still, that scheme was replaced with a Tactical Paint Scheme that was 3 shades of blue-grey. With wear and tear and corrosion control the three greys tended to blend together, so just go with what pleases you!

[@x-man5056]

@@MaxAfterburner Have you tried contacting the Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola? I got out of Navy right when F-14's were coming to fleet but everything else was painted gray top and sides, white bottom.

[@eduardviska]

My buddy builder aircraft kits talking unit beauty is one.... F-4 Phantom II. :-).... Killer Migs :-). Super joob Max. Edie.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Edie!

[@DeLanScaleModels]

Great Job, just found your channel and had no other Option to subscribe. All thumsb up

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks De Lan, I hope you enjoy past as well as future content!

[@gcm747]

As someone who voted for the F-4, I was initially disappointed that a smaller scale was chosen. However, after watching the build I was very impressed with the attention to detail including rectifying the (several) flaws of the kit. The finished model looks incredible and is one of my favourites from your series. Thank you very much for sharing this build with us.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks gcm747! I'm trying to keep consistent scale wise by going with the 1/48. The 1/32 scale would have definitely taken a lot longer!

[@jbseitz001]

Do you keep all your models that you build or are these for customers?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi jbseitz001, I just keep them on display at home.

[@phoenixrising4573]

The F4 phantom, proof that if you cram big enough engines on a brick, it will fly...

[@MaxAfterburner]

The Phantom lovers are going to come after you! 😄

[@phoenixrising4573]

@@MaxAfterburner LOL! I didnt say it was bad, just...less than optimally aerodynamic ;-)

[@themajesticmagnificent386]

Great build and video of a very special and wonderful aircraft..Phantoms Forever.!!!!!!

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi The majestic magnificent, glad you enjoyed it! 😃

[@anac3652]

Why did you add the clear testors gloss coat before putting on the panel line wash? I am doing the same kit and currently gathering knowledge

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi A Nac, the gloss coat provides protection of the main surface paint job from the weathering and washes that are subsequently added. It also provides a smooth surface for the wash to run in panel lines to highlight and detail those features as well as create a finish that allows for better application of the decals.

[@anac3652]

@@MaxAfterburner thanks, just about to get working on it and I have semi gloss clear ill take it into consideration to put on clear before wash

[@BennyCFD]

At one time Israel had plans to up engine and upgrade avionics on their F-4s that would have made them better than the F-15.

[@h.cedric8157]

Hope you didn't assemble the gunsight/HUD in reverse...

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Hanz, you know me well! Yes, this particular one was installed correctly! ;-) If you take a closer look in the retrospective portion of this F-4 video episode, you'll see that the HUD on the F-22 and the F-16C were corrected :-P

[@h.cedric8157]

@@MaxAfterburner Glad the nights spent cringing about the reversed HUDs are now over! :-) i was not yet done on my Tammy/Academy Tomcat Double build and now you have another stunner!

[@ninus17]

what kind of glue do you use. and also i cant find that putty you normaly use. can you reccomend an alternative. great video as always and great looking build

[@MaxAfterburner]

I mainly use the Tamiya Extra Thin Cement (Green Top). Have you tried Amazon for the Perfect Plastic Putty? I'm not readily familiar with another water based putty that would act as a substitute. Thanks for watching!

[@ninus17]

@@MaxAfterburner alright. thank you

[@davidquak4398]

Lol. Always looking for the right colour and it turns out to be tamiya xf-19.

[@MaxAfterburner]

My favorite paint for the grey jets. 😉

[@davidquak4398]

@@MaxAfterburner so you mean that the right colour is not mixen 6 different gunze paints + 2 different shades of tamiya light blue and xf-83? So now i actually have to.built one of my kits instead of researching colour schemes?

[@ddhale190]

Really enjoy your work, sir. I am currently working on a 1/72 AC130H Spectre by Italeri. I should rephrase that...I am in the research process of two aircraft. One Vietnam Era, one Gulf War. Keep making these wonderful videos. I'm learning a lot and I'm an old dog.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi ddhale190, thanks so much for the kind comments! Have fun with the AC130Hs! 😄

[@趙晨彣]

Wil you apply a coat to seal the decal before you apply wash?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi, when I apply the second wash to the decals to blend and dirty them up with the surrounding areas I don't add another gloss coat. However, everything will get that final dull coat at the end.

[@darkknight1340]

What a beautifully made F-4J.I'm currently building the Academy F-4J of VF-102 "diamond backs",the Academy kit is one of the best F-4 kits in any scale which I have encountered to date,I built the Italeri kit a while back,using the RAF 74 squadron decals.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Dark Knight 13 and good luck with your latest F-4J 🙂

[@jimcurry5684]

My name is Cpl.Jim Curry. I was a Trip-Trey Plane captain from 82'- 86' . Knowing this Phantom like the back of my hand, you did one hell of a job on this model! I'm impressed and I'm ordering it! Semper Fi! Ooh Rah!

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Jim, thanks for your service first of all. I'm thrilled to hear from a member of the actual unit that's portrayed on the model. I hope your build goes well and that it brings back a lot of good memories. 😃

[@woodybear8298]

Nice work, love the drum pad.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Woody! 😉😊

[@ianjackson7515]

Great job on a really 'basic' kit - it's a reissue of the 1980 Esci one with just a few improvements and (much) better decals - Just one 'note' for future USN builds if I may: The XF-19 that you used this time is far too blue and dark for the 'actual' USN Light Gull Grey - that colour is a much lighter and has a more 'mushroom' tone. It may be worth exploring other paint ranges to find more accurate colours, or if you want to stick with Tamiya acrylics, perhaps look at some mixing ratio's for future projects. No criticism intended, I've just found your channel and am enjoying the builds. Really well lit and filmed, great commentary and some nice informative snippets too. Each one is definitely an improvement on the last. Looking forward to your next builds. Best from NZ.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Ian!

[@jwissinger7767]

What type of putty do you use for filling in the gaps?

[@MaxAfterburner]

02:56

[@blackcat3383]

Max, do you like this kit? I wanna build a 1/48 Phantom and i am thinking about this kit.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Black Cat, this Italeri kit takes some extra work to get it in shape. If that's something you wish to avoid, there are probably other kits out there that are better. 😉

[@blackcat3383]

@@MaxAfterburner Thank you Max. I am italian and i am very disappointed about Italeri.. Biggest part of their kits is junk.. 😞

[@petermoscone3115]

hi Tom, great job as always.. I know you will be building the viewers choice kits, but I just wanted to suggest a future build.. the trumpeter 1/48 L-39 , the aircraft in which you flew in...that would be a cool build...happy modeling..

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Peter, great idea! I've flown on a couple different L-39s, so I'd have to flip a coin or build two.

[@Poopster4U]

I swear I saw this bird @ 0:40 being painted at Randolph AFB, I remember the checkers without a doubt.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Poopster4U, that was one of the last F-4s still flying at the time. They're all retired now in the U.S.

[@Poopster4U]

@Max_Afterburner Ah ok, well it was around 2011 when the maintenance dudes were painting it.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Of course, but I just wanted to mention the context of the clip as they were in their "last days". As I was coming onto the base that F-4 made a beautiful pass by the flightline very fast and made a hard 90 degree roll away to the right. It was fantastic, but I wasn't expecting the flyby so I did not have my camera ready to record that!

[@ErwinNiezing]

Thanks. Normally not a big fan of Italeri, but I was thinking about buying this kit. You're video helped a lot to make up my mind. Nice built and amazing end result..

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Erwin! It takes a little extra work, but you can get a decent result.

[@damianmullan8239]

Great work max

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Damian, much appreciated! 😃

[@BennyCFD]

Hmmmm............Cool to the "MAX".

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi BennyCFD, thanks! 🙂

[@damascussteel2872]

aim 7j sidewinder? i think you messed up a bit there for further reference its aim 9 no hard feelings tho

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Sour Nugget, yes, you're correct. I just misspoke at that point. Someone already pointed that out way back when the video was first uploaded. 😉

[@damascussteel2872]

Max_Afterburner alright got it its a beautiful model though wish i could get on right now but the whole coronavirus got my model shops cloesed

[@bill7778]

I have that kit, but I ruined the plastic parts (bad accident). Any suggestions on how to get a replacement set?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Bill 777, all I can suggest is buying a whole new kit (ugh). I can't think of anyone who replaces components of model kits. 😯

[@bill7778]

@@MaxAfterburner Thanks. I am going to try to make a new set using vacuforming, but that is a whole other project. The rear canopy was totally destroyed but I have a close match from another kit.

[@MaxAfterburner]

I certainly hope that works out. Vacuforming? Wow and...yikes! 😉

[@rjhowlan]

As always these are great videos. I purchased the Revel 1:48 scale A-10 Warthog and want to get to some of the skill level/detail I see in your videos. Do you have a public contact method that I could bounce questions/ideas off to you?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Roger, thanks! You can contact me via my address in this channel's "About" section.

[@ArkanOthman]

Nice!

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks SpicyPepperBlue!

[@rjhowlan]

Max, these are great videos you've posted. I'm a big fan and from my searching you seem to be the most to explain your process. If you ever get a chance could you please share a few videos of the techniques in a little more detail? Your F-22 video you explained some of the technique issues I had as a kid, like most of us did. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you again.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Roger, will do. My next project will have me trying out some ideas in my head since it is an unusual aircraft subject.

[@SgtThorn]

Im still working on that 1/32nd scale Phantom....if you have a private email or messanger id love to show you the progress and see what you think...ive used alot of your techniques from former videos

[@MaxAfterburner]

I'd like to see what you've got! You can e-mail me via the address listed in the "About" section on my channel. I don't want to post it here directly to avoid spam and bots.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Very nice! Your kit is much bigger and more detailed than the one I did. That cockpit has seen some use, I really like what you've done! Are you going to add some panel wash?

[@SgtThorn]

@@MaxAfterburner i actually did add panel wash...somehow i didnt send you those pics...standby lol

[@MaxAfterburner]

Great, looks good! I like the seepage areas around some of the panels. It reminds me a lot of what I encountered during my days working on F-16s, so it seems genuine in appearance. :-)

[@SgtThorn]

@@MaxAfterburner thanks! i got that idea from you and loved how those f16s looked....keep up the great vids! cant wait fore more!

[@tylershepard1515]

Why dont you save up money to buy a quality kit? Seriously this kit is absolute trash I'm not saying it's your fault but I think you should have gone for the Hasegawa kit which is a way better kit with insane detail. You did a great job with what you had at your disposal here but I can imagine some of the amazing work you could do on a quality kit.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Tyler, actually when I was searching for a 1/48 scale Phantom, this was the only one available at the time for me. However, I did want to try another company that I was unfamiliar with to see what they had to offer and Italeri was the one by chance. Maybe in the future I can do a better Phantom kit and create a comparison video.

[@tpochep]

There are jokes about F-4 like: "a triumph of thrust over aerodynamics" or "the proof that even a brick can fly with a good engine attached to". I don't know, for me - the plain was beautiful, very aggressive and predatory look, a killing machine, for sure. As somebody said: "this machine looks like it was built to kill somebody". Nice video, and great job as always, thanks! So, what do you think about ITALERI?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi tpochep, the kit was ok, but it could use an upgrade. The decals were very good though.

[@ArtCardenas]

what kind of airbrush do you use (model) ? also what kind of decal glue prep you use?

[@allgood6760]

Awesome.. Thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks again, All Good! I think the new Tamiya F-4 will certainly overshadow these older F-4 kits out there. 😛

[@allgood6760]

@@MaxAfterburner A good book is USMC Phantoms In Combat by Lou Drendel...

[@cojeff5688]

Oh-Thank god finally

[@MaxAfterburner]

Ta-Da! Thanks, CO Jeff!

[@Vettespeed]

i would so buy this off this guy

[@MaxAfterburner]

😃

[@jkoeberli]

Nice result on this poor kit.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Julez, thanks 👍

[@趙晨彣]

So what is the next project

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi, the YF-23 is next. The "cat is out of the bag!"

[@SparkRattle]

You make almost any model kit look as easy to build as a snapfit model. You sure are a rarity...

[@alexandergarcia3459]

wow ! grrrreaaaaat job !

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Alexander 🙂

[@marcusaureliusantoninusaug2161]

Amazing job as always! I'm currently working in a F104 in 1/72. This is my first plane and only my second model ever using an airbrush. I'm really struggling, the masking is horrible in this tiny scale and I've had a lot of overspray and applied the primer way too thick. Had to sand it down and lost most of the panel lines in the process. It won't look like I envisioned it before starting the build, but hey I won't give up and finish it anyways. All part of the learning process I guess. I might look at a 1/48 plane next time though. Any advice for working on 1/72 planes?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Marcus AAA, thanks! I personally stay away from the 1/72 scale because it's too small for me. I'd only use it if I was doing a large scale aircraft carrier deck and needed a lot of planes. It's worth practicing and learning if you are having fun with it! I would recommend the KZbin channel by "PLASMO". He generally focuses on 1/72 scale and smaller items--and he's very good. I believe he has the most subscribers of any modeler on the internet that I know of. Good Luck!

[@modeltankguy]

awww sorry to hear about you puppy all great builds keep them coming

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Gilbert!

[@LordVulcan93]

I'd love to see you do a model of the SR-71. Testors had a great model of it. But it's been a VERY long time. Your channel is great and is making me seriously consider getting back into modeling at 44 years old. Thank you for making me remember my childhood :)

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Lord Vulcan, I hope you have some fun and recall some great memories if you decide to start up again. Most SR-71s seem to be on back order and unavailable with 1/72 scale being the most produced.

[@harungungor8938]

Hello Why paint first with black? This is not pre shading.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Harun, I'm using a primer/black shading method. So, it is not the pre-shading technique per se. 😉

[@harungungor8938]

@@MaxAfterburner But the colour is not primer, normal tamiya colour. Is it Ok?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Harun, technically, any color can be used as a primer. Basically it allows the final color(s) to adhere better to the model as well as having the ability to modulate the overall appearance with whatever combination you elect to use.

[@bluedelta1575]

Great job on the build! I’m currently in the works of building the Tamiya 1/48 F-15C Eagle. I do not own an airbrush and I use a brush to paint. I hope it will be as good as yours

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Sky Kid, many hobbyists are very skilled with the brush and achieve great results! I'm not one of them, hence the airbrush ;-)

[@ryanwu332]

Very nicely done! What PSI do you spray at?

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Ryan, I don't have a gauge on my compressor, but I estimate it's at about 20-22 psi.

[@ryanwu332]

@@MaxAfterburner Alright, thanks for the information!

[@Planehazza]

It's too vague a question to get useful information. Pressure that you use depends entirely on what you're doing at the time, what paint you use, even the colour. Light colours tend to be thinner so you can often end up with thinner laint/thinner mixture which would require a lower pressure.

[@ryanwu332]

@@Planehazza So does that mean the thinner the paint,the lower the PSI I should spray at?

[@Planehazza]

@@ryanwu332 precisely :) thinner paint will run easier and takes less energy to get through the nozzle. Similarly you will find that thicker paint, or paints with larger pigments (Metallics etc.) will require a larger nozzle too.

[@Jpriest13]

Nothing but praise for your work, but that Italeri kit leaves a little to be desired. Nice job regardless.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Jpriest13!

[@Jaycat48]

Beautifully done! I would mention though, the lower speed brakes should be in the down position while parked. They are hydrolically actuated and droop whith power off.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Jaycat48, it would have required a little scratch building and modification since it wasn't an option on this kit, but that would have been a nice detail. 🤔

[@bubbapipe]

Love your builds but I got to tell you..your music selection...WTF?..lol nice work

[@MaxAfterburner]

Thanks Eduard! Not a lot of music out there that is "free" for use...

[@kennethconnors5316]

nice work …………………….

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Kenneth, thanks 🙂

[@robertsalanon2909]

Superbe maquette ,bon choix ...Bravo !!

[@sylvainflandre2906]

Superbe travail excellent patine tres bonne technique 👍👍🇫🇷🇫🇷🇷🇺🇷🇺

[@MaxAfterburner]

Merci beaucoup panzert38 flandre!

[@larrypuckett1075]

This is the second of your videos that I've watched, and found them informative. I have a question though, have you ever seen a model of the Grunman A-6E Intruder? I worked on that bird while in the Navy (VA-176 02/81 - 07/84) and would love to find a model to build.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Hi Larry, there are some available and some still on back order depending on the scale of the A-6E Intruder you want to build. You can check them out at Scalehobbyist and also Hobbylinc. Both of these suppliers are online.

[@charlesstewart5233]

good job but get a better mic it sounds like your yelling underwater

[@svrhodes77]

Question...I received a new Iwata Neo (same as you use) this year as a holiday gift. What ratio of paint to thinner are you using?

[@MaxAfterburner]

What a great gift! I use a higher paint ratio than most builders with ~ 80% paint to 20% thinner mix. Most modelers use about 60-70% paint to the appropriate amount of thinner to equal 100%.