1/48
Hasegawa F-4J Phantom II |
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Gallery
Article by Bill Hawkins |
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This kit is the
Hasegawa 1/48 F4J of VF 84 squadron (Jolly Roger flying from carrier USS
Roosevelt). The model depicts the Phantom flown by Lt. JG Mike Seymour (RIO) and
Lt John Bumford. The kit also came with a complete decal sheet for USMC VMFA 451
(Warlords) of USS Forrestal.
The F4J was built out of the box from the Hasegawa kit and it only took me
twenty years.....I actually started this kit as I was entering college in the
'78/'79 timeframe and put it away after completing the cockpit assembly (Step 1)
to pursue other interests (wine, women and song..... also a degree, job, family,
etc...). So twenty years later, the old modeling urge comes up again and I find
the Hasegawa kit tucked away in the attic waiting to be completed.
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images below to see larger images
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The overall fit of
the kit was good, but had some trouble with the seams on the main fuselage and
around the cockpit area. I used Squadron green putty and some fine sandpaper to
come up with a "pretty good" finish. As with all of the Hasegawa
Phantom kits, the stabilator angles/fit were difficult as Hasegawa does not
provide much of a guide - just a simple tab/hole fit for each separate
stabilator without a "solid lock" for the correct angle. These
certainly gave me the most trouble as I "refit" them several times
adjusting for proper angle.
The finish is Model
Master Flat Gull Gray (top) and Testor's Flat White
(bottom) with 2 coats of MM Laquer lusterless flat. Decals were "snuggled
in"
with MicroSol before the final coat of flat overcoat. Major panel lines were
hand scribed and additional detail was accomplished using pastel
chalks/water mixture. Weathering on the forward wings and exhaust area was
accomplished by using pastel chalks and dry brushing with Floquil's burnt
aluminum, rust, and oxidized aluminum. I also dry brushed MM burnt metal
buffing metalizer along the forward wing area.
Based on photos from
Squadron publications F4 books and various internet sites, I also weathered the
decals to reflect a "heavily used" Navy F4 flown during the late 60's
and early 70's in Southeast Asia. The was accomplished using a fine Xacto blade
and a careful touch.
Overall, I was pretty happy with the final model, but there is certainly room
for improvement with my skills. Looking forward, I hope to continue to receive
good advise and information from my "net friends" on ARC
Bill Hawkins
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images below to see larger images
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