**** DONE: GB-51 1/48 F-4C Phantom II - No Propellers

[Donivanp]

Username : donivanp
First name : Don
Category : intermediate
Scale : 1/48
Manufacturer / Model : Monogram F-4C Phantom II (Early)
Extras : Decals Two Bob's 48-114 F-4C First of the Weasels, borrowing parts form Monogram F-105G (Shrike missiles)

 

[Donivanp]

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I plan on Monogram F-4C/D and borrowing the AGM-45 Shrike missiles from the Monogram F-105F/G and I'll be using Two Bob's decals to do a F(EF)-4C. The EF-4 did not actually exist as it was never a nomenclature used but is in somewhat common practice.

Ironically the Monogram kit stands up pretty well against the latest Phantoms coming out at much higher prices. It comes with strike camera and ALQ-87 & 101 pods, which even ZM and Academy missed putting in newer pods not correct for the Vietnam era.

I'll need to figure a set of launch rails for the Strike missiles. There is a set in the Hasegawa weapons set so I think I can use that for a model.

 

[Crimea_River]

Biting off a lot again Don.

 

[Donivanp]

Yeah I know. This will probably be my last GB here for a while.

 

[Crimea_River]

Wa?

 

[fubar57]

Wa?

 

[Donivanp]

Wa?

 

[Wurger]

Oh what's that? .. an echo ?...

 

[Donivanp]

Oh what's that? .. an echo ?...

Sounds like it

 

[Crimea_River]

Ok. What do you mean it will probably be the last GB for a while? ("Wa" = "WHAAAAAAT"?)

 

[Donivanp]

Just thinking of taking a break. Doing what I want to do. You should be able to tell from this build, and I've never been shy about, I like Vietnam era and later jets. I don't know for sure but just looking to work some of my own. This one is also a FB GB and it just coincide. If I don't make one it will probably be the MiG but I intend to get all three. I've built around six of these over the years and hopefully will be my best for this kit.

 

[Donivanp]

OK so a little web search came up with a couple Vietnam "EF-4C" Wild Weasel's.
The first Weasel was the F-100F modified to accept the APR 25 radar homing system, it was really a test system and there were a lot of issues, one being that the Hun was much slower than the F-105's that were flying with and were dragged down by the 100's. The First in last out moniker is said to have originated by this issue as the F-100's would be the first in to find the target (the hunter) and then the F-105's (the killers) would expend their ordnance and leave in AB, leaving the F-100 to make it out as quickly as it could. Several planes and crews were lost as they learned the tactics and became proficient at their new trade. The Wild Weasel II program was indeed the F-4C but there were so many problems with it that the F-105F/G (Wild Weasel III) took it's place. It was an extreme success and it was not until 1969 that the now Wild Weasel IV F-4C (some call the EF-4C) issues were worked out and there were 36 aircraft converted and were assigned to training and then to Yakota AB Japan. In 1972 they were assigned to the 67th TFS 18TFW Kadena AB and then deployed to Vietnam in support of operation Linebacker, brought on by North Vietnams Easter offensive.

The only drawback to the EF-4C was that it could not carry the AGM-78 Standard ARM missile. It would normally carry two AGM-45 Shrike and two to three AIM-7E/E2 Sparrow missiles and at least one ECM pod. It could carry though the full armaments' of the F-4C in rocket pods, Gun pods, CBU's and bombs with the added hunter role.

The Monogram kit is a great place to start for this role, so lets see what needs to be done. APR-25 needs to be added nose and tail. and maybe a few extra antennas.

 

[Donivanp]

So the full outline of this in a FB group build is for a classic kit build, no AM and you can steal from other kits (with in the time era), I was having issue finding the launch rails for the AGM-45 Shrike missiles but they I just found then in Monogram A-4E. Too cool for school.

 

[Donivanp]

Some different mads to be done, from

 

[Donivanp]

Classic Kit Build Monogram EF-4C. Put the wings together, shot the bottom with Tamiya white primer in the rattle can. Shot panel lines and then shot AK acrylic camouflage grey. Did my fumbling on the cockpit. Rembrandt I'm not! Eduard and Quinta studios were designed for me. Ironically when Monogram designed these kits, the Air Force came with a center line gun and air to air missiles, the Navy J model came with a center line fuel tank and bombs. So I stole the center tank from one of my J's.

 

[Wurger]

 

[rochie]

good stuff

 

[Donivanp]

Thanks guys. Here is the update! Cockpit done, ok for me but I'm no Brian Scott! Fuselage half mated after cockpit installed and as usual there are lips and gaps which is fairly normal for this kit and others of this era but not bad. I used a scalpel to trip some of the spine but it was too much. I had gaps in critical places such as the air refueling door. I broke out the ol Tamiya putty and tried not to trowel it on. I also used Mr. Sufacer 500 to help fill gaps. I used "sprue goo" to fill the gapping gaps on the lower nose air intakes.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Donivanp]

Well sanded down and that was it for all the spine details....