Large Scale! Tamiya

[@allgood6760]

Nice!..Read a book called Fox Two, America's First Ace in Vietnam about Showtime 100, VF-96..I have an old 1/32 Revell F-4J Phantom still in it's box.. cheers from NZ 👍✈️🇳🇿

[@SEMJW]

I have built most of the Tamiya 1/32 kits. Their last F-16CJ is the best of the jets. Currently building three. The kits I enjoy (despite the many issues) the most and keep returning to is the F-4 series. Prefer the F-4E or EJ. Tamiya stopped production a couple of years ago so I ordered two sets of sprue parts for the E from Tamiya Japan to convert J kits into E or EJs. Presently have three F-4Es built with three under construction two as EJs the third as a J. Prepared for more by silicone molding resin E parts and have been waiting for a sale on one or two J kits. We all know to visit Scalemates for kit info and the many helpful build videos. Cybermodeler has for each of the F-4 kits a list of corrections, improvements and considerations to improve accuracy for each type worth looking at. A lot of the modifications do not require aftermarket upgrades. The two big problems: Kit intakes can be corrected without the need for seamless replacements. The undersized diameter exhaust nozzles can be enlarged by adding a wedge of styrene. I add the Eduard PE inner nozzle upgrade to finish. Looks as good as a resin replacement set. I build mostly in flight with pilot figures . There is very little of the cockpits that can be seen with canopies closed so an expensive 3D set of instrument panel replacements is not going to be appreciated and the kit parts can be painted to look amazing. The areas around the glazing and top fifth of the ejection seats are worthy of more attention. I do rarely add weapons but will for two current builds. The kit parts are not that good so wing pylons fuel tanks, MER ,TER, bombs, SUU-16 gun pods are all Reskit resin.

[@MDScaleModels]

Thanks for the info..

[@SEMJW]

@@MDScaleModels I should clarify. I wrote replacing fuel tanks. The wing tanks are acceptable and earlier 600 centre tank. I needed the later F-15 610 gal. for the aircraft I am doing. There is a video titled; 'F-4E Phantom II Terminators' on my channel The 70TH with open canopies has a resin cockpit and exhaust. The 60 in flight has the modified kit exhaust and is a F-4B/C kit converted into an E. Both have intake corrections and soft wing, slatted wings. Also, resin weighted wheel replacement are nice but the kit set are good enough. A flat can be made at ground contact, a pocket cut into the tire to insert a small piece of styrene or something suitable to bulge the tire to complete the look of a tire under weight.