janman Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 (edited) Some raw material and a source of inspiration: After finishing the book I wanted to do a Vietnam war warrior but at the moment I don't have markings for one so my build will most probably carry markings of a VF-11 "Red Rippers" CAG bird from the mid '70s. Another sheet I have includes these markings (seen below). I haven't found any photos of a Ghostrider bird with such tail markings. The rudder stripes are not yellow as usually but shades of blue/green and black. Also, I really don't know where to put the extra pair of flashes. On the instructions they just hang in the air below the plane... :D I know, Microscale sheets were not known for very comprehensive decaling instructions and here's another example of it. Could the flashes possibly be for the fuel tanks..? And here's what I've achieved today. The Eduard PE set includes airbrakes and their respective wells so one has to cut two openings for them. Easily done. The other set includes PE burner cans, meant for USAF "E" but they suit the Navy "J" as well. As seen on the first photo, also the mid/rear fuselage sections were glued together. Edited May 18, 2010 by janman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kurnass77 Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Hi Janman, fantastic project,fantastic kit,fantastic decal choice and wonderful book! I've the same doubt about the VF-142's jet.The Sundowner's B model is a Nam bird,right?I vote for the phabulouse sharkmouth (or the Freelancers's one). Good work,Gianni, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 I've the same doubt about the VF-142's jet.The Sundowner's B model is a Nam bird,right?I vote for the phabulouse sharkmouth (or the Freelancers's one). Yeah, the Sundowner on the sheet apparently was a 'Nam bird. I too like the markings, but since they are for "B" model and mine's a "J", I'll have to return to this subject later. Oh, you started voting! Didn't ask for it! :D All in all I have, I dunno, 6-7 Microscale options for a J model. And another two from Eagle Strike (including a very colourful VF-142 CAG) so this ain't easy for me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kurnass77 Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 I understand mate.A sometimes have too much choice is almost worse than having none :D . However I think that any choice will do the result will be excellent, in fact, the Phantom is fantastic with any U.S. Navy's markings... I love this plane!!!!!!!! :wub: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Excellent project, Jan ! I'm going to love watching you tackle the Phabulous Phantom ! Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alessio Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 looking forward to see that nice phantom.... navy phantoms are really wonderful... ciao Alex Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Getting the cockpit together. This is the first time I'm using Eduard's pre-painted PE. I dunno, somehow I prefer the non-painted sets since this just doesn't feel "real" modeling. Very nicely executed stuff though. The PE set includes a lot of details for the canopy sills and the black box in the RIO's station is also from the set. The rib detail on the pilot's side wall is scratch-built. The seats are in progress too. I'll be using the fairly nice kit seats with some Eduard add ons. Here they have been painted with basic colours before any further detailing. I also painted the white areas on the wings and the stabilators, as well as all the parts related to landing gears and their respective hatches. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
silverkite211 Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Since nobody has answered the question about the multi-colored stripes on the rudder of the VF-142 F-4. Yes, those stripes are correct, since that was the CAG bird it carried the colors of the different squadrons assigned to that CAW. You'll probably have noticed the the same thing with the VF-111 machine, the sunray that passes through the 'NL' designator is multi-colored. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Nice progress, Jan .... the pit is looking quite nice ... Also, to add to Silverkite's answer, the extra flashes for the VF-142 bird would most likely be for the sides of the drop tank ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 Since nobody has answered the question about the multi-colored stripes on the rudder of the VF-142 F-4. Yes, those stripes are correct, since that was the CAG bird it carried the colors of the different squadrons assigned to that CAW. You'll probably have noticed the the same thing with the VF-111 machine, the sunray that passes through the 'NL' designator is multi-colored. Okay, so it was a CAG bird. I'm aware that the multi-colored stripes are a feature of CAG birds, but since they usually have more colour in them, I wasn't so sure. Also, I haven't been able to find any photos of this particular plane anywhere. Thanks anyway! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 Getting its distinctive bird of prey like shape. The intakes and the front section fitted pretty smoothly but needed some careful dry-fitting. Shame that no compressor faces are provided for the intakes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Looking good, Jan ... I love that distinctive F-4J/S shape ... :wub: Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Hegedus Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Looks good so far, but you do realize that the triangular plates on the stabs should be sanded off for a Navy bird, right? Those were reinforcements that the Air Force added and weren't fitted to Navy jets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dragan_mig31 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 jannman i can't wait to see this one done Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kurnass77 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I'm glade to see this progress Janman! Looking veeeery good Cheers,Gianni Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 Looks good so far, but you do realize that the triangular plates on the stabs should be sanded off for a Navy bird, right? Those were reinforcements that the Air Force added and weren't fitted to Navy jets. No wonder I couldn't find them in any of the photos! Thank you, I really wasn't aware of that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Weasel V Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Okay, so it was a CAG bird. I'm aware that the multi-colored stripes are a feature of CAG birds, but since they usually have more colour in them, I wasn't so sure. Also, I haven't been able to find any photos of this particular plane anywhere.Thanks anyway! Try this one: http://i2iprod.net/aircraft/fred%27s/f-4b-vf-142.jpg There's also one on page 79 of the Gray Ghosts book you have :D, but as NK/204 with the standard yellow/white rudder. Note that Microscale strike again with their instructions, not only do they give you the usual vague layout - the real aircraft is a F-4B! The flashes may be on the outside of the wing tanks or the centreline, I can't remember having seen them on either. If I find a photo I'll let you know. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mario krijan Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Great start! i will watch closely!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 The flashes may be on the outside of the wing tanks or the centreline, I can't remember having seen them on either. If I find a photo I'll let you know. I would put them on the centreline tank - this was almost by default fitted to USN Phantoms during the Vietnam War, while it was exceedingly rare to see the wing tanks on the boat. HTH, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Try this one:http://i2iprod.net/aircraft/fred%27s/f-4b-vf-142.jpg There's also one on page 79 of the Gray Ghosts book you have , but as NK/204 with the standard yellow/white rudder. Note that Microscale strike again with their instructions, not only do they give you the usual vague layout - the real aircraft is a F-4B! The flashes may be on the outside of the wing tanks or the centreline, I can't remember having seen them on either. If I find a photo I'll let you know. Thank you very much for the photo! I noticed that the sheet includes stencils for this bird where it clearly reads "F-4B" - and still the instructions say it's a"J". I really can't figure out why the instructions on Microscale decals are always so patheticly poor. Great, colourful markings which always work like a charm but you just can not apply them on your model without extensive research. I'm still disappointed with my own research work because I didn't notice those reinforcement plates on the horizontal stabs... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 With how many variations of the Phantom that was produced and modified through it's long history, some stuff can get by rather easily, Jan ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 This is definately a very nicely done Phantom. Gotta love these smoke makers! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 (edited) With how many variations of the Phantom that was produced and modified through it's long history, some stuff can get by rather easily, Jan ... Gregg Well that's been taken care now! :( Once again my old Swiss army knife saves the situation. My favourite tool for removing raised details from tricky places. The bare metal area was riveted and rescribed although it shows quite poorly here. Huh! Too close! The carper monster is a horrendous creature but this one ain't much better. The natural metal plates behind the exhausts are ready for base silver (from Tamiya rattle can). Edited November 19, 2009 by janman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Beautiful carpet monster you have here. And "safe" too, mine can now stand and grab stuff on the bench :( Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 That Carpet Monster has the cutest lil pudgy fingers ! Nice work on the re-scribe, Jan ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.