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Joe Roamer
9 articles

McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II - 1/48 Meng

September 6, 2024 · in Aviation · · 18 · 178

Hello modelers! I finally finished my , going with the European camouflage schema with AGM-65 Maverick A2G missiles and high-res decals. 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!

Reader reactions:
8  Awesome

7 additional images. Click to enlarge.


18 responses

  1. Very nice result.

  2. 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.

  3. Very nice Rhino. Definitely loaded for "bear".

  4. 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.

  5. That's a beautiful Phantom! Well done.

  6. Absolutely outstanding. Looks highly realistic due to great build & fantastic finish.

  7. Very nice indeed, Joe! 👍 Great build and quite realistic as well! 👏

  8. Excellent job and ditto result, Joe! Fantastic painting and weathering!

  9. Thanks, Spiros, appreciate it!

  10. 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.

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