1/48 Hasegawa F-4J Phantom II

Gallery Article by Bill Hawkins

 

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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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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Photos and text © by Bill Hawkins