1/48 Academy F-4J Phantom

[Stikpusher]

All of the intake trunking should be a gloss white. Only the fronts of the J-79s are different- a light natural metal color.
The transition from white to exterior color varies depending upon timeframe and user air arm.

[Medicman71]

Thanks Stik, but I have intake covers for it. What I was meaning is should I start painting as it is right now because I have to paint these areas before the intakes get put on the fuselage.

[Stikpusher]

Do the covers have to be installed during assembly, or can they wait until afterwards? If during, paint now, if afterwards, wait. I normally don’t use such covers, but did on my F-86. In that case, all painting was done before I added the covers at the end of the project.

[Medicman71]

I'm talking about the sides of the fuselage where the intakes will go.

[Stikpusher]

Yes I figured that you were talking about those areas. You ought to be able airbrush paint into that area after assembly. But you could always black base it ahead of time for an enhanced shadow effect.

[mostrich]

Any ideas on how to paint this damn thing. I know I gotta paint the areas that will be hidden by the intakes. Should I paint the rest of it while I'm at it?

Seen some (better) builds of that kit where the builder opted for a pre-priming and painting of that area. The fit of the intakes is a bit dicey and could need some minor filling and sanding. Also the gap between fuselage and intake is pretty small. When shooting paint with your AB into it, paint could easily pool up.

[Medicman71]

Yeah that's what I was thinking too.

[LyleW]

Medic, here is a suggestion on painting.

[Medicman71]

Hey who filmed me painting?

[LyleW]

Mike, I think most men have given this painting method serious thought....