Zoukei-Mura F-4E Late

[denders]

First off, I was really lucky and won the kit in the Z-M raffle at NATS. I never have that sort of luck. I was planning on buying one but waited 'til after the raffle. Glad I did. I figured that I'd get it started and if it works out, I'll put it on the contest table next year. I've been itching to build a Phantom anyway.

I'm not sure I'll put the '30 years' decal on, but I'll do it in this paint scheme.

After I won the kit, I picked up some A-M stuff to use with it. The IP is in Z-M packaging, but it also says Red Fox on the other side.

I didn't have any of these colors in MRP paint and SB were out of stock on several of them, so I decided that I would try out some AK RC. They're in the new dropper bottles.

I've not built a Z-M kit as of yet and I've not used AK RC paint yet. I bought some of their thinner and I have some Mr. Color Leveling Thinner too.

Dave

 

[BlrwestSiR]

I picked up the same kit at the Nats but has to pay for mine. Can't wait to see your build. 

For the AK Real Colors, they can be thinned with Mr Color Leveling Thinner without any problem. That's what I usually use.  

Carl

[denders]

Thanks, Carl.

[Peterpools]

Dave

Congratulations on winning the ZM F4, an awesome kit. I have mine in the stash and will be building it not too far down the road. No question your build will be the inspiration for me to get going on it sooner then later.

Nice choice on the AM as it always raises the bar of the finished kit. I only went for the Quinta set, as I now use them on all my builds if possible. I haven't used any of the Red Fox sets yet and am very interested in your comments on them. 

I also try to use MRP whenever possible and if I SB is out of what I need, I also have started using AK Real Colors. They are awesome (still using them in the 10ml glass jars) and always thin them with Mr Color Self Leveling Thinners at 1:1 - they shoot smooth as silk. 

Will be along for the full journey.

[CANicoll]

I have the 1/48 F-4C from ZM so will be following along closely.  Nice win!!!

[KevinM]

All these jets you guys are going to get me started the 50/70's is the era I like.

[denders]

Thanks, guys!

 

[denders]

For those who are interested.

 

[denders]

These are the Z-M Pilot figures (AM).

These are the 3D printed Z-M 'flattened' tires AM.

This is the Z-M/Red Fox 3D printed IP (AM). Note that some of the pieces are already loose from the backing.

These are the GT Resin Landing Gear and Wheels (AM). Obviously the landing gear is 3D printed.

And these are the GT Resin intake ducting for Z-M F-4 kits.

 

[denders]

Peter, get started!  I usually prefer the Quinta stuff because they usually have seatbelts with them and Red Fox usually doesn't, but Red Fox is what Z-M has. So, I'll try them out.

Chris, I have a Z-M C, D, J, S, and the early E in the stash along with a Tamiya B, a Hasegawa S, an Academy B/N, and a Hasegawa RF-4B. I was collecting US flown types. I don't have an RF-4C though. There's a couple old AMT C/Ds too. I picked up the Z-M C and D when the very rare occasion that SB had Z-M stuff in the weekend special. I couldn't resist.

I also picked up Z-M's Concept Notes book for the J/S too. It's an interesting little book. It points out information about the aircraft. That's as far as I've gotten so far. I haven't gotten into the kit part of the book yet. I'm not any sort of an expert to disagree with their notes.

[denders]

Time to get started. I have some additional AM pieces on order.

These probably won't get any paint 'til this evening because the 4 1/2 year old grandson only has a half day today and he'll be here this afternoon. Fun time, he has quite the imagination while playing.

[denders]

Seats painted and assembled. I'll need to add some weathering to them.

And these guys too. Painting them will be a challenge but I guess it'll reduce the amount of actual weathering on the seats.

 

[CANicoll]

Dave looking really good!  Good luck with the 3D printed parts.  Looking forward to seeing your build at it progresses.

[Peterpools]

Dave

Nice start of the ejection seats and pilots. looking forward on how you treat and paint the crew as it's something I need to learn how to do.

 

[Bomber_County]

Their J was a pleasure to build……

[BlrwestSiR]

Dave, that's quite the pile of AM for the kit.

The pilots look like they'll be a nice touch to the cockpit. 

[denders]

Thanks, guys.

Nose wheel well assembled. Cockpit area is next.

[denders]

All that nice molded in detail.

Gone!

 

[PanzerWomble]

Looking good , amazing detail ZM packed into a 1/48 th model .

 

I need to pull out my Tamiya F4b and see how it compares. 

[Peterpools]

Dave 

Fron nose gear bay looks fantastic, as the kits detail is amazing.

Yup, right with you about removing all the molded on front office details as I've been a huge Quinta Detail Set user since they started (need to give Red Fox a try). Well worth all the extra work as 3D printed details are amazing. 

 

[denders]

Pilots on a stick. Hmmmm. 

By the Z-M instructions, the WSO is on the left and the Pilot is on the right. I'm not sure why the pilot needs both hands on the stick. Or at least it seems that way.

[Peterpools]

Not sure either.

[denders]

I've added to the AM pile. Should be interesting.

[jose pedro]

Great start, as well as a great selection! 

Cheers! 

[CANicoll]

On 8/23/2024 at 7:47 PM, denders said:

All that nice molded in detail.

Gone!

 

Maybe the manufacturers will start molding flat pieces for use with the AM 3D stuff?