1/48 Hasegawa Hybrid Phantom #186

Gallery Article by Shawn "phantom'' Weiler on Sept 15 2016

 

      

This is a neat one. Not only is it very colourful but its a most unique airframe. VX-4 The US Navy test squadron back in the day, had many different paint schemes. For actual combat testing and in this case for celebration of the US bicentennial back in 1976. You can not get much more obviously American then this paint job.

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The airframe itself. It was mostly a "J". But it had a "B" radome made with this kit by using Hasegawa supplied metal "pod". It also uses the later "S" or late "E" extended slats. But not the inner ones. So in this boxing (if you can find one) you actually get two complete sets of wings. Which is helpful as I have a parts "C/D" kit that might just be build able now with these extra parts.

The kit supplied decals are VERY thick, but that just made the job easier in masking the blue. The white was thick enough that it covered the darker colour just fine. This kit has been in my stash for years. MANY years. Can't believe it took so long for me to pull it off the shelf and build a replacement for its 72 scale little brother I made back in the 90s, Or was it the 80s? I also included a shot with my other VX-4 builds and the latest wall of Phantoms shot. This new build is on the top shelf, far right hand side. You might also note there are a lot less 72 scale Phantoms on the shelf then years past. Have to make room for the 48 scale builds.

"phantom"

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Photos and text © by Shawn "phantom'' Weiler