Italeri 1/72 RF-4E Phantom II, Hellenic Air Force
Hi everyone!
This is my fast build Italeri 1/72 RF-4E that I offered as a gift to a friend of mine some days ago.
You can read the full build article following the link below (at my beloved site M2), if you so wish:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/viet/us/usaf/fighters/penrf4.htm
Thanks for watching, my good friends.
Happy modeling!
15 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Bernard Bedeur said on May 25, 2020
Beautiful jet and work Spiros. Impressive for a fast build. I hope to live up to that !
I saw lots of West-German Phantoms while manoeuvring during the Cold War. What an animal of a plane..Memories..
Be well in Greece.
Bernard
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 25, 2020
Thanks a lot my friend @bernardbedeur!
RF-4E flyovers, especially (for me) in their Norm83 camo, was an event to remember. Miss them a lot.
All the best!
neil foster said on May 25, 2020
Hi Spiros, well done on this one mate I like it, I love the wrap around camo ,I know from experience that it's tricky to do.
Neil.
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 25, 2020
Thanks Neil @neil-foster! Took some iterations and corrections with my Badger 100S0G. Adequately thinned paints, relatively low pressures and closer distances from the model did the trick.
All the best, my friend!
John vd Biggelaar said on May 25, 2020
Beautiful build Spiros, nice airbrush work for such a small scale.
First time I have seen an F4 in such a dark scheme, but I have to say that it looks great.
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 25, 2020
Thanks @JohnB! Praise my Revell Vario (at "fine" settings) and my Badger 100SG for the pencil thickness feathering.
I have to admit I love Norm83 camo. The German RF-4s(and F-4s) sported some other interesting camos too (I think some were "experimental").
All the best!
John Healy said on May 25, 2020
Nice job, Spiros. I like the bright roundels on the German camo. I built that kit in the 80s as an Alabama ANG RF-4C.
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 25, 2020
Thanks @j-healy! I love this combination too, the latter dark blue ones literally disappearing in the dark camo.
Do you still have your RF? If so, please share us some pics!
All the best!
John Healy said on May 27, 2020
I do still have it. It’s pretty tatty now but I’ll take a pic when I get home. I’m away for a bit now, Spiros.
John Healy said on May 27, 2020
Low and behold, I did have a photo in my library. I think I built this in ‘86 or ‘87. The gray scheme was new on F-4s at the time.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 27, 2020
Amazing! How cannot someone love a beautifully made Hiil Gray camo Phantom?
Thanks for sharing, my friend @j-healy!
Robert Royes said on May 25, 2020
I thought this looked familiar, great looking Phantom!
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 26, 2020
Thanks @roofrat!
Rick Reinbott said on May 26, 2020
Nice one, Spiros; love those colors!
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 26, 2020
Thanks @RRman!
Ben Walmsley said on May 26, 2020
Another beauty Spiros. Tough looking bird, the F4. Yours looks appropriately menacing in that dark camo. Bravo!
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 26, 2020
Thanks @popeofchillitown! The RFs impressive posture will much be missed.
Morne Meyer said on May 26, 2020
This is one STUNNING Phantom! I like Phantoms in dark colours. It adds to the menacing look of an F-4. Well done!
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 26, 2020
Thanks @mornem! Glad you like it!
Louis Gardner said on May 26, 2020
Spiros, @fiveten
This is an amazing build ! It looks fantastic, and I congratulate you on your first published article over there at M2. I saw it yesterday morning...I enjoy reading what others have to say over there, but so far I have not joined up. The F-4 is my favorite modern jet, and I often dreamed of flying one as a child... (like many did who are my age). Your paint work looks flawless, and I enjoyed reading the story behind the build. You persevered and won the battle, with missing parts and all. That says something great about you... I'll bet your friend was shocked when you presented this to him as a gift. Well done !
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 26, 2020
Hi Louis @lgardner!
M2 is the site I discovered back in 2001, upon reentering the hobby after a 10 year pause. I loved it and became addicted to it, our love lasting till today (and growing stronger!).
The RF gave a permanent smile at my friend's face!
I persevered the build because, for maybe a bizarre reason, I believe that every kit deserves to be built. For the camo praise my Badger 100SG (as finishing tight liner!).
Glad you like it, my friend!
All the best!
Greg Kittinger said on May 27, 2020
Looks great Spiros - you know I love Phantoms, and 1/72 scale as well! I'll get to my Greek Phantom soon... (still putting on all those dang-blasted dry stencils on the EJ Kai...)
Spiros Pendedekas said on May 27, 2020
Thanks @gkittinger! Waiting your Phantoms (all of them) with great anticipation.
All the best, my friend!