Monogram Boeing F4B-4
A pair of the venerable Monogram Boeing F4B-4 kits, first released in 1968. This is one of the easiest biplane kits to build, the landing gear legs and fuselage struts are molded as part of the fuselage halves with results in a strong assembly and proper alignment. If you struggle with biplane kits you will be pleased with this one, it is a joy to build and still holds up well by today’s standards. I scratchbuilt a cockpit and added rigging from 0.004” Nitenol wire. Decals are from Yellow Wings sheet 72-011, the white-tailed aircraft was operated by VF-6 from the USS Saratoga (CV-3), the green tailed one was from VB-5 aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4).
Construction post here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2020/08/14/monogram-boeing-f4b-4-build-in-1-72-scale/
14 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Brian Riedel said on October 1, 2020
Love those kits! You did a great job building them sir, well done!
Greg Kittinger said on October 1, 2020
Those are real beauties! I just finished rigging a 1/72 Fi-167 with Uschi line - 24 runs total! I may try the wire next time.
Robert Knaack said on October 1, 2020
Those are both fantastic! Better detail and finish that on my 1/48 scale Aurora kit.
John vd Biggelaar said on October 1, 2020
Very nice builds, Jeff.
This rigging still keeps me away from bi-planes.
Seeing yours, I might consider buying one at a modelling event next month.
Tom Cleaver said on October 1, 2020
Beautiful result!
And if you're not into scratchbuilding a cockpit, Starfighter Decals has a resin cockpit for this that is really nice.
Andrew Alexander said on October 1, 2020
One of the first models that I ever built, back when it was new!
Great job on a kit that still hasn’t been bettered in this scale!
Robert Royes said on October 1, 2020
It's great to see these built! nicely done.
Haslam Yeoman said on October 2, 2020
They are great looking kits
Jim Crabb said on October 2, 2020
I love the Monogram 1/72 kits from this period. The biplanes and P-36 kits are great to build. If you don’t mind rescribing panel lines and scratching cockpits, they can be built into little stunners. Thanks to Mark at Startighter Models, there are great decals and resin sets for these kits. I have hoarded them and have many in my stash.
Scott Nelson said on October 2, 2020
That is a great kit. You did a great job with it!
Allan J Withers said on October 2, 2020
They look good Jeff, nicely done and presented.
Spiros Pendedekas said on October 2, 2020
Echoing above gents comments, Jeff!
Both look fantastic!
Tom Bebout said on October 2, 2020
Good looking pair Jeff, job well done.
Jeff Groves said on October 2, 2020
Thanks guys, much appreciated!
John Healy said on October 2, 2020
Great work. I still love these kits. It’s a shame nobody has done a mainstream F4B-4 in 1/48.