The old (1980) 1/48th ESCI F-4J Phantom II kits do have some nice qualities about them, nicely scribed surface details and a correct shape however the cockpit is a comparative disaster with poorly fitting panels, decals for instruments (which aren't even correct) and ejection seats that don't come close to the real thing.
Notable Kit Features:
Proportionately scaled exterior dimensions and shape
Nicely scribed surface details
Very basic cockpit with decals for instruments
Fair exhaust detail
Glass fit is OK (but not good)
Very basic weapons consisting of 4x Sparrows and 4x Sidewinders
Centre-line tank as well as wing tanks
Note: This kit cannot be build as a B as the J wing and gear only is provided
Build Inspiration:
I picked up the Fox One USMC Phantoms in S.E. Asia (Pt.2) decals (ages ago actually) that included the VMFA-333 Shamrocks MiG Killer. Maj. Lee "Bear" Lasseter & Capt. "Lil John" Cummings would represent the only all Marine crew to claim a MiG kill during the Vietnam war. This aircraft was adorned with a colourful tail stripe bearing the squadron emblems. The project kept getting put off for one reason or another until its turn finally came up. This build result remains one of my favourites in "The Hangar" here and has a prominent space on display. I built this kit celebrating the milestone of my 200th completed model (As my 100th model kit completed was also a Phantom II, so I figured to continue that tradition... Hmmm, maybe I should start planning for which Phantom should take the slot for #300 :)
Heads-Up Report:
You will need to do some work in the cockpit to have the panels meet the fuselage sides at least (or replace the whole pit) The rear cockpit is incorrect for a Navy Phantom (it should have sidewalls and not consoles)
The instrument panel decals are fictitious in layout ...and they're decals
The ejection seats really need to be replaced as they aren't really close enough to pass inspection
There were some seams that needed filler along the spine and nose
There is a gap in the wing to fuselage join which has to be filled (preferably with some .020 sheet styrene)
Wing-tanks are moulded attached to the pylons
There is no provision to display separate canopies open and glass on my kit was distorted (but decently thin)
The weapons provided are best disposed of
Broke off fuel dump and haven't replaced it :0
Kit Additions / Modifications:
Replaced ejection seats with Wolfpack Martin Bakers
Added detail to the pylons
Third-party "USMC Phantoms in S.E. Asia" decals from Fox One (48-006)
Finishing:
The base scheme on this USN aircraft is Gull Gray (FS 36440) over White with white control surfaces. I was painting with Model Master oil based types at the time. Paint weathering was done at the time of painting the main colours. I typically lighten the base coat and then darken the paint for painting along the panel lines and other repaired areas. Once all the paint had dried, I applied the (Pledge) gloss coat in preparation for the decals and more weathering. Once the decals were completed, I applied various panel line washes and wiped these down to get the desired additional weathering. A final matte coat was applied using Model Master clear. After the finish dried the finer detail parts were added.
The After-Build Report:
Recommendation on this kit is a tough one, hard to recommend due to its deficiencies but with a replacement cockpit and maybe exhausts (which some modelers seem to buy for kits anyway) you can make a good replica with this base. Having said that, there are much better options out there nowadays. In a more expensive price bracket, but far better are the Zoukei Mura, Academy and Hasegawa F-4Js. Note: Italeri rereleased this ERTL/ESCI series with some rework to the molds in the mid-2000 improving (but not fixing all of) the deficiencies however I have not built his iteration, so cannot comment on it as yet.
Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building what you want, how you want - Cheers
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