For
my next project, I knew I wanted to do one of the JASDF F-4EJ Kai Phantoms in a
colorful anniversary scheme. The scheme I chose was the striking “rising
sun” theme for the 301 TFS 30th Anniversary. This is readily
available in 1:72 scale from Platz, with the decal printing done by Cartegraf.
I
had several copies of the excellent Revell 1:72 F-4F Phantom kit in my stash,
and decided to convert one to an F-4EJ Kai.
The
conversion is not very difficult and consists of some simple modifications and
additions. First, the Revell kit has the later slatted wings, and since it’s
an F-4F it also has the non-slotted stabilizers. The F-4EJ Kai has the older
non-slatted wing, but with the addition of the large RHAW antenna fairings on
the wing tips (which are normally seen only on slatted wings). Luckily, the
Revell kit has both wing tips (slatted and un-slatted) and it was an easy job to
use a razor saw to remove the RHAW antenna fairings from the slatted wing tips
and add them to the non-slatted wing tips.
Next,
I used the slotted stabilizers from an old ESCI F-4C kit, which fit fine with
just a little modification to the locating tabs.
I
then added the double RWR antenna pods to the top of the vertical tail. I made
these from the unused fairings that came with the kit for the slatted wing. A
large UHF antenna made from card stock was added to middle of the spine, and a
large blade antenna added to the front landing gear door.
I
used an Aires F-4F resin cockpit (although the pit and bang seats included with
the Revell kit are very nice as well). I made some slight modifications to the
instrument panels to represent the avionics upgrades that were part of the Kai
upgrade program.
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The model was painted
with Model Master enamels, with a panel wash of light grey. The most challenging
aspect of the project was the decals. First, the Platz sheet was designed for a
Hasegawa F-4, so I suspected that I would have some difficulties fitting the
designs onto the Revell kit. As it turned out, it wasn’t as bad as I thought
it might be, and I used some of the extra red decal that is included with the
sheet to “fill in” some spots where the decals didn’t cover. In some other
areas, I used paint to fill in. I think the Revell kit is just a tiny bit longer
and wider than the Hasegawa kit, which made these small adjustments necessary.
The Platz decals went on like a dream and reacted perfectly with Micro Set and
Sol.
All of the reference
pictures that I had of the actual aircraft show it equipped with weathered grey
drop tanks under the wings. I thought these tanks, which represent an
operational paint scheme and weathering, would make a great contrast with the
special anniversary livery, so I painted them accordingly.
This was a fun project,
and I think the finished model does a great job capturing the dynamic and
exciting 30th anniversary scheme from the 30st TFS of the JASDF. The Revell F-4F
kit is my favorite Phantom kit to build, as it fits together exceptionally well,
and is inexpensive at the same time. Cheers!
Bill Gilman
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