1/48 Hasegawa IDF/AF F-4E Kurnass

by Allen Kasson

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The legendary F-4 Phantom II really needs no historical introduction here, its history has been well documented in the annals of aviation history, and in the skies of Vietnam and the Middle East; where it has proven itself time and again in the capable hands of pilots and WSOs/RIOs the world over.  This particular aircraft is an F-4E "Kurnass" (Sledgehammer) of the Israeli Defense Force/Air Force, assigned to the "Bat" Squadron.  Its markings and armament configuration are indicative of an aircraft from 1982, for the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) role, assigned to attack Syrian SAM sites in the Bekaa Valley during the "Operation Peace For Galilee".  Number "109" has two AGM-78 Standard Anti-Radiation missiles; two Mk. 84 2,000 lb. LDGP bombs; an AIM-9L Sidewinder missile for defense; as well as an ALQ-119 ECM pod; and a 600 gallon centerline fuel tank. 

I have always been rather enthusiastic about the Phantom, and wanted to build a superdetailed model of one.  After many years of reading about the F-4 in Israeli Air Force service, and the great things that they accomplished with the "Rhino", I decided that my F-4 had to be an IDF/AF aircraft.  I wanted to build one adorned with kill markings (number 109 has seven Egyptian kill roundels on it), and received a photo via e-mail from Mr. Ra'anan Weiss (thanks Ra'anan), of number 109.  I bought the Hasegawa kit and started "going to town".

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Here are the major highlights of the modifications, . . .I replaced the kit cockpit with the old KMC cockpit set designed for this kit; this included the canopy rails and sill detail.  The artificial engine intake "walls" were removed and I installed intake trunks and GE J-79 fan blades from Seamless Suckers.  The exhaust nozzles and "burner" cans are from High Flight.  The "sleeve" for the IFR probe, as well as the Sparrow bay pylon and missile adapter, are from Eagle Designs; the IFR probe itself is scratch-built, and the probe head is taken from an old Monogram F-104C IFR probe.  Decals are from Cutting Edge, various lights from M.V. Lenses, the kit spine antennae were replace with P.E. blades from True Details.  The weapons are from various Hasegawa Weapons Sets; and other numerous items were scratch-built, such as the plumbing in the nose and main gear wells, some other cockpit "add-ons", the open gun gas vent door, and the pitot tube, among other things.

Paints are Model Master Enamels, sprayed with a Paasche Millenium double-action airbrush.  Weathering was kept modest, as in most photos that I have seen, the Israelis do a great job of cleaning and maintaining their aircraft.  Good ol' reliable Future acrylic polish was used to prep the aircraft for decal application, and later to prep the aircraft for weathering. 

One little interesting historical footnote that I would like to add is this:  during the war in Vietnam, when USAF Capt. Steve Ritchie and his WSO Capt. Charles DeBellevue transitioned from the F-4D to the F-4E; they achieved two air-to-air kills while Flying USAF F-4E number 67-0362 in 1972.  This SAME AIRCRAFT was one of between 36-40 F-4s that were hastily transferred to Israel under "Operation Nickel Grass" during the Yom Kippur War of October 1973!  This aircraft survived the war, and served for years afterwards, . . .a truly long-lived Phantom. 

As a final note, this model is dedicated to all F-4 pilots, aircrews, and ground personnel, regardless of their nationality, who flew and maintained one of the finest combat aircraft ever created.  And last, but not least, I would like to thank my friend J.C. Bahr for photographing my F-4, and rendering assistance with posting this article on ARC, thanks J.C.!

Allen

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Photos and text © by Allen Kasson