F-4J Project (48)

1
August 23, 2020
F-4J Phantom of VF-102 in flight c1977
2
August 23, 2020
My interpretation...
3
August 23, 2020
4
August 23, 2020
5
August 23, 2020
6
August 23, 2020
181117: Replacement pit from Monogram kit (surgery performed c.1981)
7
August 23, 2020
181117: Replacement pit from Monogram kit. Note HUD gunsight.
8
August 23, 2020
181117: Fitting the canopies. Fit was OK except for aft canopy to bridge.
9
August 23, 2020
181117: Fitting the canopies. Fit was OK except for aft canopy to bridge.
10
August 23, 2020
181117: Aft RHAW antenna was removed back in 1981 and needed re-installation
11
August 23, 2020
181117: Using Hasegawa kit for dimensions of RHAW antenna
12
August 23, 2020
181118: Manufactured RHAW antenna replacement.
13
August 23, 2020
181118: Manufactured RHAW antenna replacement (installed)
14
August 23, 2020
190121: Canopy masking (scratched from Tamiya tape strips)
15
August 23, 2020
190121: Canopy masking (scratched from Tamiya tape strips)
16
August 23, 2020
190121: Canopy masking (scratched from Tamiya tape strips)
17
August 23, 2020
190122: A/C scoop installation. These were hollowed out and walled in with strip styrene.
18
August 23, 2020
190122: Primer coat (rattlecan grey primer)
19
August 23, 2020
190122: Primer coat (rattlecan grey primer)
20
August 23, 2020
190122: Primer coat (rattlecan grey primer)
21
August 23, 2020
190122: Accessories
22
August 23, 2020
190125: Lower seam removal. Note marks where the wells for the launch hooks will be.
23
August 23, 2020
190626: Bottom and control surfaces in PS Reefer White
24
August 23, 2020
190628: Masking to protect white bottom and control surfaces
25
August 23, 2020
190628: Topcoat is MM Acryl Light Gull Grey (FS36440).
26
August 23, 2020
190628: Topcoat is MM Acryl Light Gull Grey (FS36440).
27
August 23, 2020
190628: Control surfaces were masked with frisket film.
28
August 23, 2020
190628: Control surfaces were masked with frisket film.
29
August 23, 2020
190628: Demarkation masked with painter's tape.
30
August 23, 2020
190128: Paper trial for VF-102 markings (bitmap done on MS Paint).
31
August 23, 2020
190130: Black for canopy framing.
32
August 23, 2020
190131: White radome paint (reefer white with a drop of brown)
33
August 23, 2020
190131: White radome paint (reefer white with a drop of brown)
34
August 23, 2020
190208: progress after Future gloss coat and initial decal application
35
August 23, 2020
190208: progress after Future gloss coat and initial decal application
36
August 23, 2020
190208: progress after Future gloss coat and initial decal application
37
August 23, 2020
190208: progress after Future gloss coat and initial decal application
38
August 23, 2020
190208: progress after Future gloss coat and initial decal application
39
August 23, 2020
190208: progress after Future gloss coat and initial decal application
40
August 23, 2020
190208: Note intake compressor front
41
August 23, 2020
190208: progress after Future gloss coat and initial decal application
42
August 23, 2020
190208: progress after Future gloss coat and initial decal application
43
August 23, 2020
190302: Non-skid cut from clear white decal film sprayed with Flat Black rattlecan.
44
August 23, 2020
190302: Non-skid cut from clear white decal film sprayed with Flat Black rattlecan.
45
August 23, 2020
190404: After satin coat and un-masked
46
August 23, 2020
190404: After satin coat and un-masked
47
August 23, 2020
190404: After satin coat and un-masked
48
August 23, 2020
190404: After satin coat and un-masked
49
August 23, 2020
190404: On the flight line with sisters
50
August 23, 2020
190404: On the flight line with sisters
51
August 23, 2020
190406: CA Glue mess on NFOs canopy
52
August 23, 2020
190407: CA Glue mess sanded and polished out.
53
August 23, 2020
54
August 23, 2020
55
August 23, 2020
56
August 23, 2020

Comments

1 23 August 2020, 22:17

Album info

F-4J assigned to VF-102, CVW-7, c. 1977.
(ERTL/ESCI F-4B/J in 1/48 scale, kit #8213 c. 1980)

Depicts F-4J (F-4J-42-MC BuNo 157281 (MSN 3808) of VF-102 late in its service with that squadron. The Diamondbacks made nine deployments with CVW-7 aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) before trading in their Phantoms in 1981 for the latest thing. Aircraft was later upgraded to F-4S standard and served with VF-101 and VMFA-323 before being retired to AMARC in November 1988.

Kit purchased in 1980 and served in box of doom under partial assembly for 38+ years before being identified for completion. Replaced plain ESCI cockpit with parts from excellent, venerable Monogram kit, and made minor structural repairs and modifications before being painted in MM Acryl Light Gull Grey (FS36440) and Floquil Reefer white acrylic. Decals were laser printed at home.

F-4J, VF-102, c. 1977

56 images

1:48

Completed

1:48 McDonnell Douglas F-4B/J Phantom II (ERTL 8213)

All albums

View all albums »