F4 Phantom Makeover

[Evan D]

Depends on the year and squadron for Navy. Many had basic info ghosted on and specific things like ejection were more prominent. Some squadrons were more visible to the public and everything was highly visible and kept that way. The paints we used were very durable.

[jetfool]

Thanks Evan. After the long day yesterday on the tailhook mod today was honey-dos and Dr. checkup. So tonight, I decided to go off topic and do a repair on my FMS Piper Cub. Bought this in the early summer and have 30-40 flights. Had it dialed in perfect until my last landing several weeks ago. We have a tree that if a long downwind and final turn, it reaches out and grabs ya. So spent the evening repairing. Going to install the OEM floats for snow flying.
Best Regards, Rex

[jetfool]

Moving along with adding some more 3d parts. Used my 3- view to locate the lower vent. Always scary when I make a cut into a model. The scale nose vents were measured, cut and installed. Looks so much better than the OEM vents. A little filler, sanding and I will be ready to put 3-4 coats of polyacrylic clear on the fuselage.
Does anyone know where these 2 white 3dparts go?
Best Regards, Rex

[jetfool]

A feww more photos

[Elbee]

Rex,

I believe those are a variant of the chin radar.

I don't remember getting those in my Phantom box.

Mods are looking good, Sir.

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Thanks, Elbee,
These white parts were in my package OEM parts, and I have no idea where they would go. Not going to use.
Question: Did you use a lighter grey on the underside of the aircraft?
Best Regards, Rex

[Elbee]

Insignia White equivalent by Behr-LOL.

[jetfool]

Elbee,

I found the info. I needed.

[jetfool]

Today I installed the upper vents on the diverter plates? and after glueing I cut some foam behind the vents to give it depth. Applied filler and waiting to dry. Checking my photos and 3-view I decided to open the tail vent and installed streamline alum tubing, filled around w/filler. After sanding I think it will look better than just the foam face.
On my 3-view on the stab the panel lines were different so I filled in w/ spackle and will add the correct panel lines during priming. Off for my afternoon nap. Rex

[jetfool]

Today I installed the upper vents on the diverter plates? and after glueing I cut some foam behind the vents to give it depth. Applied filler and waiting to dry. Checking my photos and 3-view I decided to open the tail vent and installed streamline alum tubing, filled around w/filler. After sanding I think it will look better than just the foam face.
On my 3-view on the stab the panel lines were different so I filled in w/ spackle and will add the correct panel lines during priming. Off for my afternoon nap. Rex

[Elbee]

Rex,

Correct, those are vents that bleed off excess boundary layer air from the VIRs (Variable Intake Ramps).

The airfoil shaped tubing mod to the fuel tank vent mast, aka fuel dump, is genius.

Nicely done.

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Thanks, Elbee.
I had some 3/8 alum tapered tubing so I cut out inside the OEM fuel dump and glued this in. There is a carbon strip inside the fuel dump pole and I had to cut about 1/8" off to get the alum in. After sanding/ shaping I will poly some 3/4 oz cloth around this to give a little more support. I'm always giving my models hanger rash. LOL
Best Regards, Rex

[jetfool]

Added a few more details on the stab and have rough sanded with 120 and 320 paper. Added the second web? on the stab vent and installed a divider in the fuel vent as my real photos show. Filling/sanding, almost ready to poly-acrylic the stab.
Best Regards, Rex

[jetfool]

Another photo

[Elbee]

Rex.

Couple of reference photos of the Vertical Intake and the ECM pods.

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Thanks, Elbee
I think I have the vertical intake fin fairly close. I will re-work it to the F4B photo, Rex

[jetfool]

Elbee,
Thanks for your photo I re-worked the vent to represent the F4B. I have the vane installed in the vent but it is hard to see in my pictures. I used a black marker but it didn't show up well. Have applied the second coat of polyacrylic. Drying tonight, sand tomorrow and next coat of poly
Thanks for keeping me on my toes, Rex

[Elbee]

jetfool

Looks great, Rex.

No scale police here, my friend.

I build to my mind's eye, but good references help.

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Elbee,
Not worried about police. What I enjoy is making it as accurate as possible and seeing those that flew/worked on them in the past tell their stories. We had a display at our local American Legion last spring and a retired AF General saw my just assembled F-4 and talked for over an hour about his experience flying his F4D in Vietnam. A moment in time to hear his stories.
Best Regards, Rex

[Elbee]

Great story about great stories. Treasure those my friend.

[jetfool]

While sanding, poly-acrylic brushing, sanding the stab and tail I am modifying the pylon from the rounded AF version to the straight Navy version.
Best Regards, Rex

[Elbee]

That's nice work as EPO can be difficult to sand to shape. Best, LB

[jetfool]

Agree on difficulty sanding foam. Used regular 180 and 320 paper and went slowly, After some poly-acrylic to harden the foam I can do a better finish sand before primer. Doing same sand/po[y on missiles and tanks while waiting for poly to dry. Stab and rudder are really hardening up and getting smooth and level. Following the RC Geeks foam finish from his videos.

Best Regards, Rex