The seats have a good detail to them, but lack the seat belts - unless you pay for the optional part.
The cockpit details are stunning for a 1/72 kit. It even shames some 1/48 scale cockpits .
I’m cheap, so I cut out and painted the seat belts myself using the Tamiya tape. At 1/72 scale, nobody is going to look at closely to discover my switch-aroo
FineMolds addresses the seam line running down the center through the clever use of a cover - akin to Tamiya’s / Zoukei Mura / Meng’s approach.
I stole Geoff Mazeroff’s process of heat staining by using masks to create the striping. I used AK metallics for this. I misted this gold
First set was too stark in its contrast
It was later blended with blue and burnt metal
Final result was more subtle banding effect found on many Phantoms
Time to paint - I cheated and just used AK Real colors so I didn’t have to fuss with color matching
I lifted the tape to match the feathered look
Painting complete!
You can see the amazing details on this kit from this angle…
Now the ultimate adventure, devaluing!
Fast forward to the under carriage install of landing gears and missiles
Closeup of the banding - I should have made the strips a little thinner to make it more up to scale…. :|
Worried about fitting the engine nozzles crooked? Never fear - FineMolds is here! They only go in one way, and one angle!
Finished product.
Who doesn’t love a shark mouth?
I added the TER Mk.82 bombs with the extended fuses. I ran a wire from the top of the fuse to the rack for realism - but it’s so small, most people won’t see it unless they looked for it.
Hasegawa 1/72 USAF crew (‘not included with kit)
The size of the concrete slabs is correct, but I was overzealous with the depth and width of the lines. :|
Hands down, best 1/72 modern aircraft kit I have ever built - yes, even better than the Hasegawa F-4 1/72 limited edition kits - and here’s why:
* Details - this kit has it in spades. The only kit that has this much attention to detail is Arma Models IMHO.
* Ease of assembly - it just comes together like a Tamiya - thoroughly well engineered, fit and finish is immaculate, almost as idiot proof (and I need that) as a Bandai Star Wars kit!
* Decals - Phantoms have a LOT of decals, and this kit has it - they make it easier by consolidating a lot of them (so some stretches of carrier film will show up). The decals are nice and thin, and conform well to the kit.
Unfortunately, the only downside to this kit is the lack of pilots, seatbelts and armaments. The missing pilots is forgiveable - the cockpit is so beautiful, it would be a sin to close the canopies. However, the lack of armaments forced me to use spares from my 1/72 Hasegawa missile and bombs kits. The lack of detailed belts also forces you to either scratch build one, or buy their PE painted belts - and when you all these all up, it really makes this affordable kit, less affordable.
That aside, I really loved this kit. Like a Tamiya, it was a pure joy to build and assemble. Like an Arma Models / GWH / Meng / Eduards, the details are stunning. And for the idiots who can barely read the manual like me, the assembly is as fool-proof as a Bandai.
CaptGPF
