Tamiya F-4E "Little Chris" 388th TFW, Korat: RFI, Take 2

[CANicoll]

This build is not up to what I expect from myself (so many seams are left, and some unnecessary fitting gaps, and the wing tip joins are terrible), but it represented so many firsts that overall, I am pleased with the build. The scale of a 1/32 Tamiya F-4 with resin and 3D printed bits was mind-blowing.  The Quinta cockpit set added enormous detail so thanks to Peter for turning me on to Quinta.  The ResKit missiles, pylons and ANQ were a new thing to play with but added some extra detail (and stencils) to the build.  All told, I think the decals and stencils came in right at about 200.  I left off probably 20-30 stencils on the underside. 

Here is the build thread.

Just keeping everything organized was a job onto itself.  Plus, this thing is HUGE.  Apologies for the photo quality - it far exceeded the size of my photo booth so I had to try and tack the background against the wall...

I'll get back to some more weathering and detail/touch up painting, but I've always wanted a SEA sharks mouth F-4 Phantom and with everyone's help, I have what I think is a beauty. I can't thank Carl, Scott, Martin, Peter and everyone enough for the comments, suggestions and support.

I am also grateful to Martin who extended the deadline for the group build, with sincere apologies to everyone who was able to meet the original deadline. 

Cheers, mates!

Little Chris

F-4E, Block 37, 68-0322

388th TFW, 469th TFS, Korat AFB

Little Chris took its first flight in December 1968 and survived Vietnam. The plane was transferred back to the US where it was refurbished and reallocated to the 3rd TFW and the 51st CW.  Sold to Korea as part of the Peace Pheasant program in February 1990.

 

[CANicoll]

The cockpit pictures are in the build thread, I must have deleted them from my computer. Sorry!

[FullArmor]

Fine execution👍.

[KevinM]

Nice ..one day I will build one.

[CANicoll]

Thank you!

[DocRob]

Wow (Little) Chris, what a beauty and well worth the extension of the GB deadline. If this F4 is not to your standards, then I´m really eager to see what is .

Cheers Rob

[CANicoll]

1 hour ago, DocRob said:

Wow (Little) Chris, what a beauty and well worth the extension of the GB deadline. If this F4 is not to your standards, then I´m really eager to see what is .

Cheers Rob

Rob,  you are far too kind!  There are lots of seams I left (or found later, ugh) and the wingtip attachment has a gap that makes the Grand Canyon look tiny. 😉 But thank you!!

[Martinnfb]

Absolutely fantastic result Chris. Your perseverance paid off. Bravo!

Cheers

Martin

[CANicoll]

I think the amount of resin almost matches the amount of styrene: exhaust burner cans and tubes, intakes, wheels and tires, ejection seats, missiles and ANQ, missile pylons.  Whew!  

[BlrwestSiR]

Great looking Rhino Chris. You really put white the effort into it and it was well worth it. 

[CANicoll]

Thank you, Carl.  It was a learning experience, but in the end it was a fun build.  Cheers!

[CANicoll]

Wish I had thought of this sooner, but found an ACTUAL photograph of this aircraft!  Dated 1970.  I got a few markings incorrect, but very cool to see a photograph of the actual aircraft!

[Landlubber Mike]

Holy cow Chris!!  That came out fantastic!  Really great job!  Love the name of the plane too!

[CANicoll]

Thanks Mike!  How are you doing with all of our heat??

[Landlubber Mike]

Just glad that my girls' softball seasons are done.  Too hot!  I did yardwork earlier this week and needed a few days to recover.  Hope you're staying cool!

[CANicoll]

Whew, I'm trying!  Nice this afternoon after that storm blew through.  My youngest did Ice hockey so we didn't worry too much about the hot weather!

[Landlubber Mike]

That storm was nice - cooled things off quite a bit!  I'm about to try and get some more yard work done now that temps are more moderate.  Did I mention I hate yard work?

[CANicoll]

Taking advantage of the extra time, I decided I needed to address the underside with some washes and touch up.  The underside was really stark so it needed the attention.

Starting off with some cockpit pics which I neglected to add the first time around.

Noticed in the photograph that Little Chris has a NMF leading edge to the left side intake.  So used a Molotov Chrome paint pen for the touch-up work.

Really needed to address how clean the underside was, so used the MIG Natural Wash ( light gray ) to dirty things up a bit.

And finally did more of the panel lines on the underside including the drop tanks  I only knocked off ONE of the Sidewinder fins in the process!

[blackbetty]

WOW!

[Peterpools]

Chris

Absolutely an incredible build and journey and I am so glad I was on board from day. Simply a stellar build and so glad you stayed the course with all the research, corrections and the zillions of stencils the Big F4 is noted for. Awesome work and she surely is a gem. You absolutely tamed the Tiger! 🏆🏆🏆

 

 

[CANicoll]

1 hour ago, Peterpools said:

Chris

Absolutely an incredible build and journey and I am so glad I was on board from day. Simply a stellar build and so glad you stayed the course with all the research, corrections and the zillions of stencils the Big F4 is noted for. Awesome work and she surely is a gem. You absolutely tamed the Tiger! 🏆🏆🏆

 

 

Peter, thanks so much!  I always appreciate your encouragement and support.  It was probably the largest, most detailed build I've ever attempted.  Lots of help from you, Carl, Martin and Scott and others got me through.  About 200 stencils/decals all-in and I did not do all of the underside stencils.  I'm still in shock on that.  The armament alone was nearly 75 I think.

[Peterpools]

Chris

Glad to help when I could and I learned a good deal as well from your build.

I don't remember off hand but I think on my Tamiya 1/48 Tomcat was in the 300 plus range for all the stencil data and decals and it wore me out but you have to admit, when we look at our builds, the stencil data does add so much. Just wonder if the ground crew, maintenance handlers actually read it or have it memorized.

 

 

 

[CANicoll]

Can you imagine how long it took to paint all of those stencils???? and repaint them?

[PanzerWomble]

I was on leave when this one landed , superlative Phantom !

I'm with Peter though , stencilling sucks  which I why I avoid it. Applaud yours though. 

[CANicoll]

Thanks PW!!