Which one is better 1/48 Phantom II Academy or Meng? Observations after building both F-4 kits

Comparison review of Academy F-4C Phantom II and Meng F-4E Phantom II after I have built both of them. Meng mold are from 2022 and Academy from 2012, so there is ten years between these kits. Both have recessed panel lines, good fit and nice details. Both are excellent kits and I could build either of these again...
I have done also part comparison video, but only after I have built both you can say which goes together better and gives better overall feeling.
Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

[@d_squared6942]

This was a great review.....visuals as you describe the differences; even-handed and objective; allows the modeler to choose which aspects (intakes vs figures, etc) are most important to them so they can make an informed decision. The links to build videos of both is a nice bonus. Well done!! 👏

[@paulhargreaves1497]

You did a great job painting and weathering on both!

[@HobRob148]

Thanks for posting. I’m interested in both kits of the Phantom (my all time favorite aircraft). Leaning towards the C version of Robin Olds first for historical reasons i.e. Operation Bolo. You did a fantastic job on both. 🙏🏼

[@TV-ez4md]

Thanks! I guess subject matters a lot, but as you can see both are nice kits. As you like Phantomns you could build the Academy first and then Meng.😁

[@sesampley]

The F-4C had a ram air turbine, the F-4E did not, so the detail is correct on both kits concerning this feature.

[@TV-ez4md]

Thanks for the info!

[@alexchubbymclynn6060]

Great review, thanks! Both models are built in a very professional way. I build Phantoms all my life long. My personal opinion is that Meng is much better than Academy, no offence. Meng is much closer to Tamiya. I don't like the way the Academy's landing gear is made - you have to install main gear at the very initial phases of the assembly process. As a result I broke half of them... I like old fashion (1976) F-4 from Revell more than Academy. Meng is a great kit. I am working with it now and it is perfect! Thanks for the video.

[@TV-ez4md]

Glad you liked my video! If you watched my Academy build you see how I install those landing gears at the later stage than in instructions. It require some small cutting thoug. I haven't built Tamiya as I don't have one, but it is tempting. I plan to build old Hasegawa sometime though. Good luck with your Meng Phantom build!

[@gta4ever3003]

All 2 are cool, but the weathering/wash is on both a bit too dark.

[@jkoeberli]

having build the academy, i will have to say Meng for sure. overall i think tamiya has the best though.

[@TV-ez4md]

I liked the Academy surface details though perhaps not better, but more. I would like to build the Tamiya too as I think it would fall together. Let's see If I get one sometime.

[@GeneralKatarn]

Don't forget you're comparing two vastly different Phantom variants. Not just the kit manufacturer. I believe the Academy kit is a C model while the Meng kit is an E model.

[@TV-ez4md]

As I put into disclaimer those are different variants. However if you have built either of them you know how the other one is after this comparison. If either of the companies sometimes would make the same variant Meng C or Academy E it would be nice...

[@GeneralKatarn]

@@TV-ez4md I agree. Especially an E variant with the bird slicers that the Meng kit is missing...

[@TV-ez4md]

@@GeneralKatarn Yes late E would be nice. But I think new Academy kit would be much more expensive than current C..

[@GeneralKatarn]

@@TV-ez4md to be honest, only the kits with old tooling are the only cheaper options. Anything more recent will make you dig deeper in your pockets

[@TV-ez4md]

@@GeneralKatarn That is true, but some old kits are getting more expensive too as others are still cheap (for example Hasegawa is getting both 🙄depending the box/kit)

[@foorcscale]

Isn't this a bit like comparing apples to oranges? Both great kits but of considerably different variants.

[@TV-ez4md]

You can take it lake what you want. These are just some thoughts how these will build up and how different parts look when hey are done. You can also think this as reviw two in one

[@williwass6837]

This Vid convinced me to NOT buy the Meng kit!The "more details" on places where you not really see it are not really worth the price and more surface detail where you can see it at first glance is really what counts!Btw,2 really nice builds!But a little toooo much weathering!

[@TV-ez4md]

Thanks for your comments! I'm glad to hear this video helped you to decide which kit you like more. I still have Eduard edition of Academy kit in my stash and I'm not giving it up... Both of these kits gave me opportunity to weather a bit heavily and I didn't even take those to my reference picture level...🙂Glad You liked my models too.

[@fabiosilva3799]

The inside of the Academy's air intakes are poorly finished.

[@TV-ez4md]

Sorry, I did my best., And at least there is no step.. And you really can't see too far down to the intakes

[@fabiosilva3799]

@@TV-ez4md Hi...my opinion is in relation to the kit manufacturer...that internal part of the air intakes is quite grotesque, the fittings...your F-4 kits are true works of art and the final realism was perfect. ..congratulations!

[@TV-ez4md]

@@fabiosilva3799 😆, ok the manufactuers work.. Yes Academys inkakes are not the best, but you can make those look a bit better as I show. And you really have to align the Academy parts carefully.

[@niuchajianfa6222]

there's no comparison....Academy is never a first tier model company to begin with

[@paulhargreaves1497]

Yet it looks better unless you turn it over ....

[@TV-ez4md]

In my opinion Academy does just fine and in end results it is hard to fault Academy. In easy of build Meng is just shake and bake, Academy is as you can see..

[@cdpgbc-mw2kz]

@@TV-ez4md Greetings from Canada. I grew up as a kid in the 70's. People's expectations now are insanely high. You had to hone/develop ones skills with those kits. People want everything easy, now. You did a great review and superb builds.

[@TV-ez4md]

@@cdpgbc-mw2kz Thanks a lot! Those kits that you have to make some effort makes memories more than those that just falls together. But at least I wouldn't like to just build the Airfix Lightning/Starfighter kits from -60 (there is just final reveal videos of those in my early videos) You just want to make Kinetic and enjoy Academy kits and just add some details. Good wihshes to Canada!

[@cdpgbc-mw2kz]

@@TV-ez4md Thank you. I agree. I do not build any of the old kits, anymore. I had my fill decades ago. But I learned a lot from them regarding skills. Happy New Year.

[@FLEKKECOOK]

Tamiya - no doubt about it...

[@TV-ez4md]

Perhaps I also have to visit Tamiya Phantom for Navy Phantom sometime...