Here is another of my 1/48th Monogram F-4J Phantom II kit builds. First released back in the 80s it is still a respectable kit. It has the typical Monogram features of nicely appointed, raised cockpit detail (although not correct in the rear pit for a J), good overall detail and shape, finely raised panel lines, and a very reasonable price.
Notable Kit Features:
Nicely molded (and mostly correct) cockpit
Nicely detailed ejection seats (partly molded into the pit)
Good overall shape and dimensions
Finely done raised panel lines
Nicely done landing gear
Multi-piece glass canopy can be positioned open or closed
Separate ailerons and speed brakes which can be positioned
TERs are included (molded onto inboard pylons)
Early Air-Air armament (AIM-7s and AIM-9Bs) come with the kit as well as bombs and Wing /Centre-line tanks
Build Inspiration:
Back in my early years of model making, I got interested in Vietnam era jets and began building a number of notable USAF and USN / USMC types in markings both during and after the American involvement in the war. This F-4J was originally built in 1985, however I did a repaint of it in 1992 (the prior markings I can't recall) to represent the USN VF-142 'MiG killer' flown by Lt(JG) Scott Davis and Lt(JG) Geoffrey Ulrich who shot down a MIG-21 with a AIM-9 Sidewinder on December 28, 1972.
Heads-Up Report:
Although this represents a J model Phantom the rear cockpit has Airforce type consoles instead of Navy sidewall panels
Ejection seats are partly molded into the pit
Panel lines for Air Force refuelling probe is still on spine and should be removed - Navy refuelling door should be scribed on right side of nose
Fit of the engine intakes is a minor problem which requires sanding and filler
Underside wing fit with aircraft nose requires careful fitting and possibly some filler work to join smoothly
Raised panel lines and detail make sanding seams problematic as detail is removed in the process (or you could completely sand off the panel lines)
Speed brake actuators are molded into the well
Horizontal stabilizer fit will require trimming as they sit too far off the fuselage
Air Force "arrowheads" are present on stabilizers and should be removed for Navy "J" Phantom
Outboard wing tanks are molded onto pylons
Glass fit is OK but not great (can be positioned open or closed)
TER are molded onto inboard pylons (occasional sink marks found here as well)
AIM-7 & AIM-9 Air-Air armament (sink marks are often present in the Sparrows) come with the kit as well as Mk.82 bombs and a centre-line tank
Kit Additions / Modifications:
Removed panel lines
Trimmed horizontal stabilizers tab to fit close to the fuselage
Removed Air Force "arrowheads" present on stabilizers
Had to use Italeri pylons as Monogram ones went missing somewhere
Used (modified) third-party decals for VF-142 MiG Killer crewed by Scott Davis & Geoffrey Ulrich
Finishing:
The paint scheme for this aircraft is the standard USN finish of the time, consisting of Gull Grey (FS 26440) over White (FS 17875). Weathering was kept minimal
The After-Build Report:
Now there are several better F-4J kits available on the 1/48th scale market, however the 1/48th Monogram F-4J Phantom II kits still produce a good result, that definitely looks the part, at a very reasonable cost. I still recommend these old classic F-4s, for a budget build, when you can pick them up at a good price. My Go-To 1/48th scale F-4J Phantom II tends to be the Academy kit, as for me it is a good balance of cost and features (although it requires a few corrections). From what I have seen, I would have to give the Best 1/48th F-4J award to Zoukei-Mura followed by Academy and Hasegawa. Budget builds (with work) go to Monogram and ESCI (with work and after market seats at least).
Repainted in VF-142 markings in May 2004
Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers
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