1/48 Eduard F-4B Phantom II - "Death Rattlers"

[DoogsATX]

The X-47 has hit the point where I need to throw paint, but rain and humidity are getting in the way, so cracking open the next kit...

Eduard's Limited Edition "Good Morning Da Nang!"



The kit is Academy plastic (thankfully done in all gray this time, unlike the multi-colored Academy F-4B), accompanied by Eduard PE, masks, Brassin wheels, engines and ejection seats. The decals are courtesy of Furball. I'll be adding Alleycat's seamless intakes, but that's it as far as aftermarket.

In terms of just plastic...there are a few parts.



In terms of markings, I'm planning to go with this VMFA-323 "Death Rattlers" ship. 323 was pressed into a close air support role over Vietnam, meaning used and abused. I've only found one really good representative photo, and sadly the resolution's not there.



This build begins in the cockpit, and, uh, is busy.



Last night I started cutting and sanding and folding some PE...so just out of the gate.

[Paul]

do you think that this kit is worth the price of admission? I had the f-4B but lost interest in it and some how lost the kit to the next door neighbor kid.

[DoogsATX]

do you think that this kit is worth the price of admission? I had the f-4B but lost interest in it and some how lost the kit to the next door neighbor kid.

I definitely think it is. When you add in the cost of assembling all of this stuff seperately (Brasssin seats, wheels, burner cans, Eduard PE, Eduard mask, Furball decals) you're way over what Eduard's asking here.

Now the larger question is whether the Academy F-4B is worth it. I think compared to what other new-tools tend to go for, it's reasonable. Especially if you deal-hunt.

[KSaarni]

Great Doogs! Again a great WIP build to follow!

- Kari

[DoogsATX]

Kinda surprised this beat out the A-6E for bench time. That kit looks seriously awesome.

Who said it beat it out?

/waiting for Aires GRU-7s to arrive...

[DoogsATX]

Got to a point last night where I could really start having fun with the cockpit.

Too bad the PE just looks...bad. Flat, and the color register could not be more off. Thought I learned my lesson with the big F-16 debacle last fall. Guess not.



Fortunately I've got another of these kits (the Academy boxing) in the stash. I'm going to steal cockpit bits from it, and then plan on replacing that one with either an Aires of Wolfpack pit.

[Medicman71]

Oh yeah. Can't wait to see this build. My father-in-laws birth father flew for the Death Rattlers in the 50's. He was killed in an accident while flying a FJ-4B near Japan.

I did find theses pics of their F-4's on Google.

[nathant]

Good start Doogs. I agree about Eduards etch. I've come to really dislike their color pe sets. I just got the hasegawa f-4S boxing and have decided to use the kit cockpit with only resin seats. I can paint and dry brush much better. Looks like that stupid rlm 66 color appears in all their sets???