McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II - 1/48 Meng
Hello modelers! I finally finished my F-4E Phantom, going with the European camouflage schema with AGM-65 Maverick A2G missiles and high-res decals. Meng decals are incredibly easy to work with, zero issues. The camouflaged paintwork was all freehand airbrushed. I thought the extra effort of multi-painting the afterburners would make a huge difference but probably could have replicated similar effect with easier wash and highlighting.
The kit came with some awesome weaponry and I think I'll try the micro-magnets to attach pylons and weapons in the future. CA gluing them into place is one & done and I'd rather be able to swap the 9L Sidewinders and/or laser-guided bombs whenever I feel like.
I scored a cheap 10x12 certificate frame off Amazon, a paper tarmac from USA Dioramas, then added oil blotches, cracks with a fine sharpie, and grass & bushes for variation.
I enjoyed the build, especially the free-hand air brushing part. I used Quinta Studios cockpit details, they are incredible. As usual, I was pleased with Meng sturdiness, quality of fit and instructions. The only issue was stepping on the ladder towards the end - my bad.
But, I finally have the classic F-4E Phantom on my shelf! Now, on to the Kitty Hawk 1/32 F-5E Tiger II.
Thanks for viewing!
Very nice result.
Thanks, Tom!
Beautiful work Joe (@jroamer). I have this same kit and have been thinking seriously about starting it soon as I finish some of my other projects. It is indeed a nice kit. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Carl. I look forward to your finished work!
There were some gouges on the back right fuselage, but a little filler, sanding, and re-scribing cleaned them up nicely. I've already ordered some 1/2/3mm magnets, just a shame all that unused ordinance sits in a box.
Very nice Rhino. Definitely loaded for "bear".
Thanks, Dan. All my other work has A2A armament, so I figured I'd change it up!
An absolute gem, Joe @jroamer
Free handed paintwork is done perfectly.
Thanks, John. Literally just look at the instructional template & eyeball it. Oddly I find that more rewarding vs. templatizing everything.
I'm looking forward to the multi-desert brown/yellow/tan schema on the F-5 I started, will free hand that with the airbrush as well.
That's a beautiful Phantom! Well done.
Thanks, Greg!
Absolutely outstanding. Looks highly realistic due to great build & fantastic finish.
Thanks, Bob!
Very nice indeed, Joe! 👍 Great build and quite realistic as well! 👏
Thanks, Gary!
Excellent job and ditto result, Joe! Fantastic painting and weathering!
Thanks, Spiros, appreciate it!
Very nice work. Great detailing. What panel line techniques did you use?
Thanks, Mark. For the repaired gouges in the rear fuselage, I filled, sanded, and laid down my sturdier Kamoi masking tape (the stuff is excellent, especially on canopies) for tracing. Then I used an older dulled exacto blade, scribed along the tape many times, finished with a light sponge sanding. All my panel lines are accented with Tamiya black panel wash, dried, then I remove excess with Q-tips dipped in Winsor & Newton white mineral spirts from Hobby Lobby. Out of the box panel lines & rivet holes on Meng models are already pretty deep, so I apply the wash directly, no scribing needed.