1/32 Tamiya F-4D

by Dan McWilliams

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This was my entry into the "gone but not forgotten" group build, which turned out to be a pleasant experience.  That thread (for those who are interested) includes far more detail on the in-progress portion.  I built this OOB, including kit decals.  I have always been fascinated by the big smoky jet that was such an omnipresent Cold Warrior.  The Tamiya kit was a dream to build, and the only fault I found (too late for me to fix with my skill and patience) was the intake interior seams.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

The kit detail was superb.  I kept weathering minimal, but went to town on the natural metal aft of the exhausts.  In 03.jpg you can see I applied multiple layers of dark grey and gunmetal streaks.  I have never seen a Phantom whose rear end wasn't quite sooty.  The natural metal was with Testors metallizer.  I did the camouflage colours with Model Master Acrylics and Tamiya acrylics.  Had a bit of a problem with the light green, and had to mix my own version.

In the photo above, look carefully and you'll see my late father standing in his CF-104 cockpit, probably rolling over in his grave to see me building the airplane that he called the "double ugly."  Ugly, maybe, but quite an impressive jet.  

The armament available in the kit is wonderful as well.  I love the way the 12 Mk 82s look, especially the daisy cutters on the wing-mounted TERs.  The rubber tires make for nice sharp demarcations between the white and black - thank you Tamiya!  I really enjoyed this build, and get lots of comments from visiting pilots here in the simulator where I work - a fully-loaded F-4 attracts a lot of attention in this size.
Thanks for looking.

Dan McWilliams

Photos and text © by Dan McWilliams