Profile Photo
Mark Kannemeyer
17 articles

Tamiya 1/32 F4C

June 15, 2024 · in Aviation · · 22 · 342

There has probably been more misinformation published on 64-0829 than almost any other . I have tried to build this jet as it may have looked on the 30th March 1967 when the then Col. Robin Olds led a low level strike against the Thai Nguyen steel works in North Vietnam. Olds remarked that this was some of the worst flak that he ever encounted including his missions flown in WWII.

There are some inaccuracies but where ever possible I tried to get it right. The decals are mostly from the kit but MILSPEC decals where used for all the data stencils on the underside white. It is interesting to note the following:

  • This F4C had the earlier MB MK H5 seats

and not the MK7

  • The 8th Tacitcal Fighter wing jets were

delivered to SEA in gull gray over white, but

when the top had the 3 colour camouflage

applied in the Philippines the bottom

remained in white with full data stencils

The model has the load out as carried on the low level strike. Namely:

6 x MK 82 Snakeye high drag bombs

1 x ECM pod on the right outer wing pylon

1 x 350gal tank on the left outer wing pylon

1 x 600gal belly tank

4 x AIM 7 Sparrow missiles

The model was painted mostly AK Real Colors.

Reader reactions:
10  Awesome 1 

7 additional images. Click to enlarge.


22 responses

  1. Wonderfully built and amazing detail on the ejection seats.
    Really convincing Phantom. One of my favorite jets.

  2. Totally awsome job Mark.

  3. An excellent build! She looks quite realistic and the background information is very interesting. Thanks.

  4. Super build Mark, as Alfred says a very convincing Phantom 😊 Excellent.

  5. An outstanding build, Mark. And I really do appreciate your commitment to getting the details right on the seats, camo, and load-out!

  6. Wonderful! I love the research you did to "get it right." This is one of the best-looking Phantoms I have seen.

    When I interviewed Ralph Wetterhan (Olds 02) for "Going Downtown," he told me the Thai Nguyen Steel Works mission was the scariest of his tour, the one he really didn't think he was going to come out of the attack run in good shape. "Fortunately, I was wrong about that."

  7. A wonderful result on this F4, Mark @mikekilo
    Excellent research to get it done correctly.

  8. Fantastic and extremely realistic result, Mark! Your thorough research paid off!
    Congratulations!

  9. Very nice work.

  10. Love it! My dad flew the C and D in Nam. Interesting note about the bottom color on this wings jets - I'll use that in a future build.

Leave a Reply