1/48 Hasegawa F-4E Phantom

Gallery Article by Jim Ward on Feb 19 2013

 

 

This is the 1/48 Hasegawa F-4E.  Not much to say about the kit except that it is fantastic to work with.  Certainly the best F-4 in 1/48 scale.  Aftermarket items include Aeromaster decals, Eduard photo etch for the interior, Quickboost ejection seats, and metal probes from Hobby Decal (which add a very nice touch!!).  I did add some extra detail to the canopy, oxygen hoses to the cockpit, and scratch-built the HUD.  The cockpit looks busy, but not overdone.

 

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I plan on displaying this aircraft on a tarmac in theatre - being worked on prior to a mission. Hence, I opened up one of the forward access panels and added some interior detail. After construction and filling all seams, I re-scribed the lost panel lines and pre-shaded with MM flat black. Southeast Asia camo scheme was airbrushed again with MM paints. I added a bit more weathering than usual based on reference pictures of aircraft based at Korat, Thailand. I used pastels, some light post shading, and some artists oils. Post shading seemed to yield the best results in my opinion. Next, the model was sprayed with a gloss coat in prep for decals. I've always liked working with Aeromaster decals and again they did not disappoint. After applying the decals (which took more than 2 days to finish - off and on mind you), I sprayed another thin coat of future to seal them. After everything had "cured" for a few days, I sprayed a final flat coat. 

Overall, this was a very enjoyable build of one of the most successful fighters ever produced! Enjoy the pics and thanks for looking.

Jim Ward

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Photos and text © by Jim Ward