Finally, 80 hours working on this beautiful model and I can just consider it done. This beautiful Phantom F-4J is part of a group build from the Fine Scale Modeler’s Forums. I guess I was the 1st one from the group build to finish this project. For this group build, I chose Tamiya’s kit # 60306. I might say that out of those 80 hours, around 15 hours went into the ejection seats. I’m an OOB builder for the most part, but I wanted to take this F-4 Phantom another notch and added the beautiful Eduard Brassin set which features nice photo-etched parts and a clean accurate resin casting.
Tamiya 1/32 Phantom F-4J
The Eduard Brassin set Eduard Brassin 1/32 F-4B/J/N/SÂ 632002 Ejection Seats. I have to agree with Eduard, this is one beautiful ejection seat set. Also to spice up the cockpit, I added some photo-etched moldings around the canopy. These were parts bashed from the set 1406 from Verlinden Productions.
I originally ordered the set to build the open radome ala Tamiya’s 1/32 F16J Viper. After receiving the set, I had second thoughts and decided to go with the closed radome. Having in hand the Verlinden set, I was able to compare ejection seats from Verlinden and the Eduard Brassin. Yup! I’m glad I did order the Eduard Brassin set.
The Tamiya F-4J 1/32 is a beautiful kit with no major fit issues. In fact, the fitting is so good, that I literally painted 90% of the kit on the sprues and/or small pre- assemblies. I like colorful markings on my aircraft kits, so I decided to go with the provided WARLORDS decals. There is only one issue, for such a well-molded kit not to mention the price tag, the included decals leave a lot to be desired. Adding insult to the injury, Tamiya is a bit, to say the least, bureaucratic.
They want us to mail unused decals in order to issue a replacement set. Man, our modeling time is so limited, why making it harder. I can stop by Revell.com and order missing parts or decals for a $15 kit no questions asked. Luckily for me, there was a good fellow in the group who build building a 1/32 Phantom and kindly provided the decal set he wasn’t going to use.
Hi george, just wondering what shade of blue did you use or mix to match the decals? Cheers.
Hiya…just bought this kit. Cant wait till it arrives. A little help if possible. I was going to buy the Eduard photo etched extras. Are these essential or can I build a faithfull reproduction of the aircraft WITHOUT photo etched parts. Your guidance with this would be very much appreciated. Kind regards Alex.
Hello Alex,
Thanks for stopping by and dropping your question. I clocked several hours building and adding those details to the cockpit. In my opinion, it was well worth it considering the scale of this kit. I don’t do these kinds of upgrades on every kit I build. But this one is one of those I where I made the exception. I wish I had it done to the 1/32 Tamiya F-16 CJ also featured on this site. I look at my F-16 currently on display next to this F-4 and the extra work is very notable.
At the end of the day is a very personal decision. The stock parts will make your kit look good don’t get me wrong. But since I don’t build 1/32 on a regular basis, I decided to indulge and add some flare to this one. If budget is not an issue, do yourself a favor and get the aftermarket parts.
PS,
Let me know if you received notification from this reply. Some readers never hear from me because their notifications of reply end up in their SPAM folders :o(
So, Jorge, are you recommending aftermarket decals? The boxing I have has the Marine decals, but I am curious as to if the decals will hold up.
Take care,
Hutch
Hello again Hutch. After my experience with these decals, I would suggest you 2 things:
1- Use Micro Set Liquid Decal Film for the large markings. This will hold them together and wouldn’t shatter as it happened to me. Having used Liquid Decal Film in the past with positive results, I would give it a try.
2- Get AM decals.
I didn’t have any problems with the remaining decals. It was those two that pretty much gave me the headache. I managed to save the one from the other side. But the one on the right side was beyond repair. Thank goodness the late Berny came to the rescue and sent me his. With the ones that Berny sent me, I noticed the same pattern; a very thin clear film on them.
Thanks…good to know. I have my eye fixed on some Jolly Rogers markings, if I don’t go the kit decal route (but I do like them)….we shall see.
How were you able to apply the Eduard seat stencils? I have tried a dozen times, but nothings seems to work! All I get are smudges, overspray, getting disasterous results.
Beautiful work, by the way! I hope to get to your level of skill one of these days!
Thanks
Hello Paul,
When I built this model, I did purchase the extra goodies at Sprues Brothers. If you don’t see them on after a search., ask them about it.
Good luck and thanks for reading!
Hello, wow! Great job….beautiful
I’m just getting back into model building after many years. My first model is this F-4J marines.
I would like to ask questions as I begin my build, actually starting tomorrow.
If your available that would be great.
Ed