Lynn's Academy 1/72 F4-J Phantom

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:54 am

This is my Academy 1/72 F4-J Phantom along with Eduard PE and decals for the VMFA 451. I am here to build this little guy and to have fun. This is my first SIG and just want to see if I can complete it by the end time. It takes me months to finish a model, I'm slow. So let the show begin.

A little history of the VMFA 451:
On 24 August 1965, VMF(AW)-451, with the AJ tailcode, deployed aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59) for a Mediterranean cruise, before returning to MCAS Beaufort on 7 April 1966. On February 1, 1968, the "Warlords" turned in their Crusaders in favor of the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II. With the new aircraft came the new designation, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 451 (VMFA-451). In July 1976, the squadron was slated to return to their former home, USS Forrestal (CV-59), with their Phantoms painted in bicentennial markings and sporting Carrier Air Wing 17's AA tailcode. However, the Med cruise was cancelled and the unit returned to MCAS Beaufort.
In 1984, VMFA-451 set a safety record of 29,000 accident-free hours in the Phantom. After 21 years in the venerable "Rhino", and led by Alfred Cunningham award winner Lieutenant Colonel T.D. Seder, the "Warlords" exchanged their McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II for the F/A-18 Hornet in September 1987

Let's get this build going.

: F-4J copy.jpg (253.44 KiB) Viewed 3233 times

.

: Yes Eduard PE! First time trying real PE.; Eduard PE 172 Phantom.jpg (54.77 KiB) Viewed 3233 times

: Decals VMFA 451 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort, South Carolina; Phantom VMFA 451 Decals.jpg (58.29 KiB) Viewed 3233 times

I'll start building this little guy when I get back from my job interview.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:58 am

I get to jump in and wish you good luck first
Looks like you have yourself well set up with PE and all to boot
It does look like that Lysus guy's kit.....be careful of him, he has a sharp wit and lightning fast gif skills so your threads will balloon into complete silliness very quickly.
Pulling up a seat and making a fresh batch

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 6:06 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote:I get to jump in and wish you good luck first
Looks like you have yourself well set up with PE and all to boot
It does look like that Lysus guy's kit.....be careful of him, he has a sharp wit and lightning fast gif skills so your threads will balloon into complete silliness very quickly.
Pulling up a seat and making a fresh batch

You've gone all out! Can't wait to see it!

I'll take a seat next to my neighbor to the north. He usually has maple syrup for his popcorn.

Vleugelmoer · Post by **Vleugelmoer** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 10:18 am

there Lynn, first of all nice to see that you have joined this SIG after voicing your concerns about the time frame and the possibility of a new job. For the upcoming interview I which you all the best and sending good thoughts your way.

As for the kit

great choice of kit

. Like some others in the SIG you have also opted to expand the modeling skills arsenal by adding a bit of PE

Will be dropping in on occasion to see how you are getting along in between my time at the bench.

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul J (The Other One)

GuyMac · Post by **GuyMac** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 3:42 pm

Go Lynn !
Both on your job interview and your F-4 build.
I will keep a close eye on this

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Wed Oct 05, 2016 5:23 am

OK!! I'm going to try a start me Phantom in a couple of days.

So, stick around and enjoy.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Oct 05, 2016 6:39 am

ladip63 wrote:OK!! I'm going to try a start me Phantom in a couple of days. So, stick around and enjoy.

I am getting fatter eating all this popcorn...might have to cut out the butter.

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 11:58 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote:
ladip63 wrote:OK!! I'm going to try a start me Phantom in a couple of days. So, stick around and enjoy.

I am getting fatter eating all this popcorn...might have to cut out the butter.

Let's hope you don't get fatter, Scott. Then I might be getting fatter also

while watching all these great Phantom builds.

This might end up being a slow build. Due to that I'm going to have to start working at the fast food place that I use to work at.

I fell like I work 24/7, when I only work 20 hours/ week.

However, I had 1 can of Taimya Spray Primer and well, I didn't get to prime all the sprues. So off to the shop to get more. Hopefully it won't be raining tomorrow, like they predict.

: F4-J Primer1.jpg (40.75 KiB) Viewed 3152 times

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:07 pm

Ok an update!! Been working on the cockpit and the PE is fiddly. Tiny pieces the carpet monster got the itty-bitty throttle, but I'll still keep an eye out for it. I've lost some tiny pieces but was able to find them. Shining a flashlight or torch (for the UK buddies) really helps to find them, just look for something shiny.

Carpet monster-1 Me-5

: F-4J Cockpit 1.jpg (35.92 KiB) Viewed 3134 times

I tried to match the paint of the PE cockpit color, almost got it. It'll work for government work. lol

Tay99 · Post by **Tay99** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:26 pm

Great start, you must have great eyes, I struggle to see the PE for 1:32 scale and I am using glasses and a opti visor, must be my age

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 8:25 pm

Good stuff Lynn

5-1 in your favour is a good start.
Put some tape backing on the PE sprue when you cut it and parts wont go flying...as much

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Mon Oct 10, 2016 10:23 pm

Tay99 wrote:Great start, you must have great eyes, I struggle to see the PE for 1:32 scale and I am using glasses and a opti visor, must be my age

Thank Tay. I also wear glasses and opti visor and old age has caught up with me.

I use a real god flashlight and I don't give up looking for it.
Scott the PE has sticky on the back. It feel off when I had it stuck to my knife end and I was turning the knife for a better grip and I hear a ping. Looked down and no throttle.

NorthernModeller · Post by **NorthernModeller** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 1:26 am

Lovely, looking great and cant wait to see the progress.

Vleugelmoer · Post by **Vleugelmoer** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 7:53 am

Great stuff Lynn. Both types of Eduard PE are magnetic so a fridge magnet might come in handy when trying to find that evasive throttle. As for the more calorie contious models amongst ourselves, air popped plain or lightly salted is my go to staple when updating and reading posts.

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul

ElCapitan · Post by **ElCapitan** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 8:07 am

Putting some tights over the end of the hoover nozzle works really well for finding stuff on the carpet.

GuyMac · Post by **GuyMac** » Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:48 pm

Great work Lynn !

I like what I see

Zen · Post by **Zen** » Fri Oct 14, 2016 10:41 pm

Looking good!

Boxster · Post by **Boxster** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 12:57 am

Looking good so far Lynn, and glad you are apart of this SIG.I can't wait for your updates and will be following your build closely.

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Thu Oct 20, 2016 3:21 am

I'm on hiatus for now. I'm at my nieces wedding. Back on Oct 24th. I am putting the build on my You Tub Channel.

Thanks for all the kind words. Wish I was at my bench now.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Oct 20, 2016 5:24 am

How did your interview go???
Did things work out for you????

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Fri Oct 21, 2016 2:31 am

Thanks for asking Scott. My interview went great. I got a part time job at an Air Fore Base.

I still won't have enough money to buy models but I can save up.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Oct 21, 2016 4:53 am

ladip63 wrote:Thanks for asking Scott. My interview went great. I got a part time job at an Air Fore Base. I still won't have enough money to buy models but I can save up.

Good for you, well done

Before you know it you will be slogging to work full time supporting a family and children and a dog and loan for an office and a new house and , and , and ........
Whoops, slipped into my life for a moment there

Vleugelmoer · Post by **Vleugelmoer** » Fri Oct 21, 2016 11:33 pm

Lynn, first of all congratulations on landing that job you where gunning for

. Cool video update, enjoy your nieces wedding and we'll wait to see your next installment. Been dealing with a bout of pneumonia myself the last 2 weeks and am itching to get back to my own build.

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul J

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 8:46 pm

Now for something completely different, I GOT A JOB!!!!

I'm back from the wedding and now back to the Phantom!!

Here is the cockpit glued to the bottom of the plane. The fit was tight. I had to scrape the paint from the inside of the locater holes for it to fit.

: cockpit to bottom.jpg (48.63 KiB) Viewed 2777 times

Just a close up of the cockpit, there is a piece that broke off the top of the REO's panel.

: Phanotom cockipt to bottom.jpg (43.08 KiB) Viewed 2777 times

The test fit. Was wonky. More on the next post when I get it buttoned up..

: Phatnom test fit.jpg (37.87 KiB) Viewed 2777 times

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 9:03 pm

PART 2:
OK!! Fit issue. When I held down the front part of the nose together it was a great fit, but when I went to to press/snap the back part of the cockpit by the wing root (1st clamp) the nose would come unsnapped. TET to the rescue.

: Phantom buttoned up1.jpg (41.71 KiB) Viewed 2776 times

WHO SAID THIS WAS A SNAP TOGETHER PLANE. OH Academy said it, but I do recommend TET!

The back end went together no problem. Lovely fit. OK so I had to move one little edge over so it would line up, but a perfect fit.

: Phantom buttoned up 2.jpg (44.7 KiB) Viewed 2776 times

Stay tuned for more of Lynn's Phantom.

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 10:20 pm

ladip63 wrote: WHO SAID THIS WAS A SNAP TOGETHER PLANE. OH Academy said it, but I do recommend TET!

Yeah, I absolutely found this to be an 80% "snap-fit" kit--that is 80% of it needed glue and/or filler. I didn't seem to have exactly the same issue, but I did have corners that didn't meet up. I think they don't handle their plastic well and it gets warped during packaging or something.

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 10:52 pm

Lysus wrote:
ladip63 wrote: WHO SAID THIS WAS A SNAP TOGETHER PLANE. OH Academy said it, but I do recommend TET!
Yeah, I absolutely found this to be an 80% "snap-fit" kit--that is 80% of it needed glue and/or filler. I didn't seem to have exactly the same issue, but I did have corners that didn't meet up. I think they don't handle their plastic well and it gets warped during packaging or something.

Yep that is what I think. I'm still working with the front. I had a nasty step, but when I clamped it from a different direction it took the step out and put the edges together. I have to do one side at a time. I have to see if I can cut he other side apart since I have already glued it.

Back to the bench now.

Johnj · Post by **Johnj** » Sun Oct 30, 2016 11:55 pm

Hi lynn, coming on a treat

even at 1/72 it's still a fair sized model although i can only imagine how small the PE parts are for it, i struggle with 32nd stuff !

Just thinking about it, when i used to build R/C car's and had to fit 'E' clips, tamiya's top tip was to work inside a clear plastic bag as the 'ping' could be contained. (Yes, just your hands, not all of you

)

Cracking job so far, keep up the good work

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 4:21 pm

NOOOOOO!! I haven't forgot about my Phantom. I got a new job and have been learning it. I have worked some on the ejection seats and itty bitty PE.

Still working on these things. Sorry for the blurry pictures.

these were a pain in the arse!! Being tiny didn't help and my first set of seat belts too.

: ejection seats 1.jpg (31.67 KiB) Viewed 2749 times

Itty-Bitty PE

I just now noticed that one of the green pieces on the side of the second seat went MIA. I did have it super glued yesterday. Wish I would have gotten the Taymia 1/32 Phantom, bigger PE I think for me to learn PE.

: ejections seats2.jpg (25.63 KiB) Viewed 2749 times

Seats dry fitted into cockpit.

: ejections seats dry fit in cockpit.jpg (29.17 KiB) Viewed 2749 times

Hope I can finish this in time. If not I'm just having fun here.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 14, 2016 7:03 pm

Those seats look great!!

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Wed Nov 16, 2016 3:31 pm

Thanks Scott

More itty-bitty PE still to come on the seats.

GuyMac · Post by **GuyMac** » Thu Nov 17, 2016 6:58 am

Lynn your F-4 will be a work of art.

I stop using PE as soon as I can't see it and have to use a microscope

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 5:19 am

GuyMac wrote:Lynn your F-4 will be a work of art.
I stop using PE as soon as I can't see it and have to use a microscope

Guy, I actually use an electron microscope with these itty-bitty PE. There is one PE that I didn't use cause it was really really itty-bitty and I could barely see it or where it went on the cockpit.

I hope it will be awesome.

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sat Nov 26, 2016 3:26 am

HELP!!!!! I have lost my mojo!!!

Can't seem to get my act together. Don't know...well I have been moving my videos and photos to an external HD and I have misplaced my modeling mojo somewhere. I'm off on Sunday so I'm going to try and see if I can get it back. Maybe another reason I have lost it because I'm no longer able to hanging with Paul and the crew and all the great people on Tuesdays/Fridays, Saturdays live show.

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 5:06 pm

It happens to everyone at some point. And as everyone is different I can't say that any one remedy will work for you, but here's what I do:

- Build something else. Often times starting something gets me either thinking about my other builds a little or distracts me enough from them that I get hit with some inspiration.

- Don't build anything. Just do something else, clean the house a little, read. Sleep. Look at it again with fresh eyes some other day.

- Ask myself what's stopping me. Is it a step I just don't want to do? A step I'm not sure I CAN do? If yes to either of those, then I choose a time when I'm feeling alert and force myself to start it--often times I just need to take the leap and then it all comes back once I realize it's almost over.

- If no to either of those, see points one and two.

Anyone will tell you--rightly--that if you're not having fun then it isn't worth it. However I will say that this comes with one caveat: some parts of the hobby can be scary or draining. It's sort of part of the charm for me, solving a puzzle or overcoming a fear within the safety of a comfy chair. It's at these moments when you need to gather your mojo and if it's low then you need to go take care of yourself, first.

TL;DR: Take a break and then try again

HIghAltitudeScale · Post by **HIghAltitudeScale** » Mon Nov 28, 2016 8:52 pm

Lynn, you progress is good so far. Relax take a second look at the kit and get that mojo back. It will be great once finished . You should be proud of that work.

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Tue Nov 29, 2016 5:18 pm

HIghAltitudeScale wrote:Lynn, you progress is good so far. Relax take a second look at the kit and get that mojo back. It will be great once finished . You should be proud of that work.

Oh yeah, and that, too. It's looking fantastic.

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:45 pm

I got some of it back. I think I was freaking out about that itty-bitty PE in the cockpit and the seats. I don't think a 1/72 PE is good to learn how to work with PE. So I moved on to the engines and other things since the seats can be out in when I close the canopy up. I'm going to work on the tiny Phantom now.

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:49 pm

PE will do that in my limited experience. Beer helps.

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 5:18 pm

Well I put the itty-bitty, fiddly ejection seat PE aside.

I will return to it before I close up the canopy. I got my mojo back and would love to show y'all pictures, but the photo attachment tab is NOT showing!!! HELP!!!

I will PM Paul--HELP!!!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 6:03 pm

ladip63 wrote:I got some of it back. I think I was freaking out about that itty-bitty PE in the cockpit and the seats. I don't think a 1/72 PE is good to learn how to work with PE. So I moved on to the engines and other things since the seats can be out in when I close the canopy up. I'm going to work on the tiny Phantom now.

You will be mad at yourself about how much you stressed on that small detail. When you get the cockpit in place and the canopy on, those details will barely be seen!!!!
Far more important to get your fuselage seams smooth and good paintwork, that shows up to viewers much more.
A wise man, John on ISM

,told me to just do a little bit each time you are at the desk, just a small assembly or sanding or whatever. All those little bits add up to a finished model

Keep plugging away and keep it fun or else it sucks

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 6:07 pm

That's a great reminder for all of us, Scott. Especially fools like me who rush rush rush.

Listen to him, Lynn. He's much wiser than I

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 6:11 pm

Lysus wrote:That's a great reminder for all of us, Scott. Especially fools like me who rush rush rush.

Listen to him, Lynn. He's much wiser than I

I just write the words, doesn't mean I always live by them.
Look at that 747 build, I had sand in my gonch trying to finish off in time.

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Sat Dec 03, 2016 6:14 pm

but it looked AWESOME.

Suppose I could amend my statement with "fools like me who dilly-dally until the deadline and then rush rush rush. "

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 4:26 pm

Thanks for the great words Scott. Well Here are some pictures. I did talk to Paul and he told me that we have to use Photobucket cause trolls are doing bad things here.

Now I'm trying to get Photobucket to work.

thanks for putting the attachment tab back for me, Paul

The right side on the intake.

: F-4J Phantom intake right .jpg (32.25 KiB) Viewed 2864 times

: F-4J Phantom intake gap right.jpg (32.9 KiB) Viewed 2864 times

There is a small gap but it does fit. You won't be able to see it once installed.

More pictures are coming!! Now it's 3 at a time.

I did notice that the white part is suppose to be gray time to remove the white paint, it's in the video which I need to work on.

Yes! I'm very much behind loading videos.
Thanks for your help Paul!!!

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 4:29 pm

Here is the left side of the intake with the same gap. I don't know if it is a gap or not they look the same. I wanted to post these pictures together but you are only allowed 3 at a time, now.

: F-4J Phantom intake left.jpg (34.43 KiB) Viewed 2864 times

: F4-J Phantom intake gap left.jpg (35.57 KiB) Viewed 2864 times

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 5:19 pm

Back again. More pictures.

The engine is all painted up. Using Vallejo 70.863 Gunmetal Grey as base coat, Model Masters Acryl 4676 Jet Exhaust. I did a semi dry brush, Almost take all the paint off. Since I don't have oils or or washes, I used Vallejo 70.950 black thinned down really thinned down with Ultimate Thinner. Used it like a wash but made sure there wasn't to much paint on it. Since acrylics dry fast. I just kept just kept brushing and rotating the engine around and wiping off of my brush to remove excess paint. The tail section is Vallejo 70.863 Gunmetal Grey.
AND!!!

: F-4J Phantom tail section 1.jpg (34.06 KiB) Viewed 2863 times

: F-4J Phantom tail section 2.jpg (31.61 KiB) Viewed 2863 times

: F-4J Phantom close up engine.jpg (28.62 KiB) Viewed 2863 times

The close up doesn't really show what I did to well. You can see a little more jet exhaust on it in person.

I have to make do with what I have to work with.

I like the way my engines turned out.

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Sun Dec 04, 2016 6:08 pm

About time!!! The wings are on!!!!

: F-4J Phantom wings on.jpg (31.74 KiB) Viewed 2862 times

I haven't put the intakes in yet. I need to wait and paint the side of the plane then put the intakes in. I did try and dry fit but was scared that I couldn't get them out due to the tightness of the fit between the wing and intake.

The wings fit is great fit on the right wing. No clamping.

: F4-J Phantom underside right wing.jpg (31.65 KiB) Viewed 2862 times

: F-4J Phantom underside left wing.jpg (25.68 KiB) Viewed 2862 times

The left wing was fiddly. It had to be clamped down to get it to fit right. Sorry no pictures. I didn't remember to take pictures,

It's on the video when I finally get to work on the video of the whole build.
I'm having difficulties with Photobucket. I'm going to cancel my subscriptions and then rejoin.

GuyMac · Post by **GuyMac** » Fri Dec 09, 2016 6:08 pm

ladip63 · Post by **ladip63** » Fri Dec 23, 2016 1:33 am

OK!! I did a little more dry brushing on the engine using Model Masters Acryl Jet Exhaust and Vallejo Silver. I also dry brushed some silver on the tail section.

: F-4J Engine.jpg (21.29 KiB) Viewed 2837 times

: F-4J Engine 2.jpg (20.59 KiB) Viewed 2837 times