1/72 Hasegawa F-4C

by sentry30

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After quite some years, I decided to pickup modelling again, but now with some new techniques (e.g. airbrushing, use of weathering and use of photoetched materials). The first project was a RAF F-4J of 74Sqn (used 1/72 Hasegawa F-4J), but I overdid it a little (too much pre-shading and weathering). The second project I wanted to do was this one; a Spanish Air Force F-4C. At the start of the project I found out that there are only few decal sheets available of foreign Phantoms, and those ever made are becomming rare now (e.g. Cutting Edge item no. 72020).

To work around this problem, I bought the 1/72 ESCI F-4C/J kit, which gives the option for a Spanish model. Other more standard decals are taken from the Hasegawa F-4C box.

For some "fine-tuning" I used an old Airwaves Phantom canopy, and one Phantom cockpit photoetched set, which had been laying here for quit some years.

The seats are resin and are from KMC, and the wheels are from True Details.

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As configuration, I chosed for the Phantom to be a target-tower, the drone is from Hasegawa (X72-4), the outher wing-pylon taken from a fueltank.

To give the model a more realistic look, I decided cut out the flaps, and lowerd them. Too, I cut out the rudder and placed it under a different angle.

At last, I lowered the arrester hook.

I started the model by doing some scribing, even though I think Hasegawa makes the best 1/72 Phantoms, it did need some scribing (you can see this best while you're glueing the wingtanks). After the model was put together, I did some preshading with black paint. Before painting the model it self, I did some masking, Noteworthy is, that I used beside normal masking tape, also Express Mask from Eduard.

Painting the SEA camo was done with enamels from Humbroll, which I scaled by adding 15% white. The camo was brushed out of hand with a 0.15mm needle. As final touch, I used some Tamiya Smoke.

As you can see, the decals did not soften very well, something to keep in mind next time. 

Cheers,

sentry30 

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Photos and text © by  sentry30