Layers of War: 1/48th Academy F-4C Phantom II
Back in the 80s when I got interested in Vietnam era aircraft, I started collecting reference material from books and magazines (because this was before the Internet) One gem of a book was Lou Drendel's "...And Kill MiGs". I pretty much have worn this book out over the years flipping through it over and over. Contained in it, was a few photos of an early F-4C aircraft that was used by Bill Swendner and Duane Buttell to down a MiG-21 on 14JL66. The image always stuck with me as the quintessential representative of that long air war, with the camouflage paint shown to be wearing away. I always thought, "it would be amazing to do up a model aircraft to look like that"... and now. here we are, just a few years later... 
Once I had a chance to figure it all out and finally commit to the build.
I cover more in-depth detail of this build with additional photos, if you are interested over at my model collection weblog: https://www.flypastrush.com/post/gunfighters-ghost-1-48th-academy-f-4c-phantom-ii
Thanks for looking & good luck on your next build.
@flypastrush This is an incredibly cool build. You pulled off a winner. The chipping is unique to an F4 and that gives it some real uniqueness. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Matt, That one took some extra time and effort however it turned out about as well as I could have expected thankfully.
Fantastic result!
Well done!
Thanks Spiros, It is looking Phantastic isn't it
Really nice result, @flypastrush
This scheme suites the F4 best.
Thanks John, that finish does underscore that well used look :0
That's a nice example of the chipping paint scheme that was applied directly over the gull-grey/white early F-4C scheme. I have a photo of my friend Ralph Wetterhahn (Robin Olds' wingman) in his early F-4C, and it makes yours look pristine. Very nice work on this.
Thanks Tom, yes they did seem to wait for a proper refinish when the airframe would get sent out for a major overhaul before they would bother fixing the improvised paint job. Quite happy with the way that one turned out.
Nice worn look. Well done, F.P.R.
Yes, you know that one got used for sure! Thanks Gary
That Phantom really had a tough life!
Awesome piece of work. Congrats.
It certainly shows on the pilot photo as well, with Swendner looking like he's been through a bit as well... or maybe he just doesn't like getting his picture taken
- Thanks for your comments Alfred
Fantastic work! I'm going to have to do one that looks well-worn like that!
Thanks Gary, Yes the worn examples are a lot more work, but they bring an aspect of wartime life to them. Start looking for your subject and good luck - Cheers