Zoukei Mura F4E

[plasticjunkie]

Hi guys. Want to share my build of this comission of a 1/48 ZM early F4E. The kit is simply outstanding having great fit and details specially in the cockpit. No seat belts are provided so they have to be added on. The IPs and console instruments are molded on that get the included decals that fit like a glove. After completing the decal application and plenty of Solvaset the end effect looks like pe! The intakes have trunking so that’s a nice touch not having big gaping missing sections inside the intakes like other kits. I used my remaining MM enamels for the SEA freehand camo done with my Sotar airbrush. Man can it shoot thin lines!👌
Last picture is the beginning of masking for the Alclads yet to be sprayed for the NMF areas out back. Still lots of work to do here but I’m beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel lol.

[406 Silverado]

Even in 1/48 scale this thing has to be a beast of a model. Detailing is at a premium as is the paint work on this and I'm definitely looking forward to more on this & definitely glad to have you back here Ernie.

[brandonk]

That's some great aircraft porn. Awesome!!

[lyle]

Howdy. That really looks good. I have one ot two Phantoms but honestly, I'm afraid of them!

[406 Silverado]

Jan 17, 2024 10:54:12 GMT -5 lyle said:

Howdy. That really looks good. I have one ot two Phantoms but honestly, I'm afraid of them!

 Me too!! Applying all of those stencils that are on those things is a task all on its own.

[plasticjunkie]

Jan 17, 2024 10:56:41 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Jan 17, 2024 10:54:12 GMT -5 lyle said:

Howdy. That really looks good. I have one ot two Phantoms but honestly, I'm afraid of them!

 Me too!! Applying all of those stencils that are on those things is a task all on its own.

I remember doing the Academy Navy Phantom and it had close to or over 100 decals and stencils 😧.
Quite a hair puller but I’m bald so all good! 😆

[plasticjunkie]

Used a couple of Alclad paints for the NMF areas. Looks like clear gloss is next to ready the surface for decals and Flory washes.

[Medicman71]

Wow! That looks great!

[handiabled]

I love these in SEA camo! I wish ZM made this one in 1/32 but I have been tempted by this one. You are doing a knock out job with the detail and painting of this!

[plasticjunkie]

Jan 17, 2024 12:06:54 GMT -5 handiabled said:

I love these in SEA camo! I wish ZM made this one in 1/32 but I have been tempted by this one. You are doing a knock out job with the detail and painting of this!

Thanks, she’s coming along just fine. I have built a couple of 1/32 scale F4s and they are GARGANTUAN in size and take a lot of display space but the details can be impressive at that scale, specially the Tamiya one.👌

[floki]

Looking sweet! I built this several years ago. An amazing fitting kit

[TJ]

Oh man this is awesome

[406 Silverado]

Insane man.....just insane how good this looks Ernie! Really appreciate you sharing this build with us man. 

[jeaton01]

Lovely, Ernie. Those instrument panels are excellent.

[plasticjunkie]

Looks like it’s gonna be a long process 

[TJ]

Jan 19, 2024 23:46:45 GMT -5 plasticjunkie said:

Looks like it’s gonna be a long process 

[406 Silverado]

I do NOT envy you at all with all of THAT Ernie. 

[deafpanzer]

Beautiful camo result! Have fun applying one million decals...

[handiabled]

I feel for you. I remember taking a few days with an Isradecal set I put onto a 1/32 RF4C. IIRC the WSO of the bird called all the panel stencils "snowflakes"

[plasticjunkie]

Like the Sony and Cher song says, the beat goes on……
I have to take breaks cause my eyes hurt after a while focusing on those tiny stencils.    Look closely or you may miss them. I’m marking them off on the diagram as I go. About 1/2 way done topside then comes the underside.

[handiabled]

Hey your getting there! It has to be an eye strain for sure doing this on a 1/48 airframe but worth it. It's looking great so far

[TJ]

Looks great Ernie. I've got a couple of Japanese Phantoms to do. Now they are stencil heaven.

[reserve]

Nice paint sir. The decals might be drudgery but they sure add to the model

[406 Silverado]

Looking like some good progress on this with those stencils Ernie!! That's crazy when a guy has to mark up an instruction sheet to keep up with the stencils that have already been applied. lol 

Good progress and it's looking good. 

[stikpusher]

Jan 20, 2024 11:07:08 GMT -5 handiabled said:

I feel for you. I remember taking a few days with an Isradecal set I put onto a 1/32 RF4C. IIRC the WSO of the bird called all the panel stencils "snowflakes"

In the 70’s when the USAF was using white for the stencils, that makes sense…

[fermis]

Jan 24, 2024 13:54:12 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Jan 20, 2024 11:07:08 GMT -5 handiabled said:

I feel for you. I remember taking a few days with an Isradecal set I put onto a 1/32 RF4C. IIRC the WSO of the bird called all the panel stencils "snowflakes"

In the 70’s when the USAF was using white for the stencils, that makes sense…

 Makes ya wonder what the point of camo is!!!

[stikpusher]

Well... by the early 80's they wised up, got tactical, and went back to the Vietnam era black stencils... toned down markings and wraparound camo schemes soon followed...

[plasticjunkie]

Jan 24, 2024 14:55:27 GMT -5 fermis said:

Jan 24, 2024 13:54:12 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

In the 70’s when the USAF was using white for the stencils, that makes sense…

 Makes ya wonder what the point of camo is!!!

I did the Revell 1/48 Phantom in William Tell Competition colors and remember the tons of white stenciling it took. Was a Microsale sheet having a checkered tail. Looked really cool.

[406 Silverado]

Jan 24, 2024 16:53:07 GMT -5 plasticjunkie said:

Jan 24, 2024 14:55:27 GMT -5 fermis said:

 Makes ya wonder what the point of camo is!!!

I did the Revell 1/48 Phantom in William Tell Competition colors and remember the tons of white stenciling it took. Was a Microsale sheet having a checkered tail. Looked really cool.

  Almost looks kind of sporty......like white letter tires.

[stikpusher]

That would probably be one of these from the 57th FIS