1/48 F-4N.
This is an original 1982 issue of Hasegawa's F-4B/N kit. As such, it features raised panel lines. Unlike the rest of their 1/48 Phantom lineup, Hasegawa never re-tooled the B/N kit with recessed panel lines. As long as they're finely done, raised lines really don't bother me and kits like this can often be found for a pittance on vendors tables. This one cost me $10 at a show about ten years ago. It finally got its day in the sun this year when I got the urge to build a gray jet, and they don't get much grayer than this one.
The model represents an F-4N at the end of VF-21's last Phantom cruise in 1983. The N models were rebuilt F-4Bs. 222 went through this service life extension program in the mid 1970s. While the upgrade wasn't as extensive as the F-4S program that updated J models, it allowed the USN to keep deployable airframes in service as F-14 production ramped up.
The kit assembled very smoothly as expected from a Hasegawa product of this vintage. One issue is the fact that it comes with an Air Force style rear cockpit. USN F-4s didn't include flight controls for the back seater and the right rear cockpit wall was blanked off. The refueling probe was located in this area on Navy Phantoms. I scratchbuilt the missing wall, deleted the rear controls, and dressed the cockpits up with an Eduard PE set. I also elected to use the supplied crew figures. Interior paints are Humbrol enamels. The exterior is painted with Modelmaster Gloss Gull Gray and Xtracolor Engine Gray. Weathering was a combination of preshading, post shading, oil stains and enamel washes. I did the metallic rear section and stabilators with Mr. Color Super Metallics and some Exhaust color from AK Extreme metals. The decals are from Furball's Lo Vis Rhino set.
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- 1. The real deal. (National Naval Aviation Museum photo collection)
Nicely done, John
Thanks, Gary!
Always nice to see an F-4 in the Headlines, John (@j-healy). I have similar ideas as you about raised panel lines. I don't mind fine, raised panel lines, and after paint and weathering they often are hard to see. Your pilots look great. Well done.
Thanks, George. Yep, these old kits are still fun and can build up well. And they don’t have 1000 parts….
Very nice result John. I like the weathering on the paint. Also the weathering on the metallic tail looks the role.
Thanks, Dan. This was a change of pace. I generally prefer colorful and clean airplanes.
What a fantastic looking Phantom this is, John! @j-healy
Love the subtle weathering too. You really can’t tell the age of this kit, awesome job.
Thanks, Alfred!
This is an awesome result, John!
Well done!
Thanks, Spiros!
Great job on this Phantom. As Tom Cleaver suggests...from a foot or so away, you're not aware of raised panel lines.
Thanks, Bob! Very true about the one foot rule.
That's a really nice build, John @j-healy
Beautiful paintwork and weathering.
Thanks, John!
Great work-looks awesome! I love my Hasegawa Phantoms- I am getting an F-4S together at the moment, an original Hasegawa J molding with a spare slatted wing...I have the reinforcement strap too... might get it done before Christmas...
Dan.
Man, that is so great, John! 🤩 I really love how you handled the gray paintwork, mighty fine indeed @j-healy! 👏
Love your work on this, and agree with 100% on when it comes to the panel lines. The shading and weathering that you did on this kit is so well done that the panels stand out realistically regardless of if the lines are raised or not. While I love a nice new tooled kit, I have found myself gravitating towards old Monogram kits due to their value, realism, and fun/nostalgia factor. The raised panel lines only become an issue when you have to do serious sanding and filling which erases them but other than that I love the older kits. Yours is absolutely a stunner