Zoukei Mura F4E

[plasticjunkie]

Jan 24, 2024 17:04:10 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

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

Yep that’s the one. I had it for many years but sold it a while back.

[stikpusher]

I plan on making a 57th FIS collection and have the kits and decals in 1/48 for most of their types- F-89, F-102, F-4E, and F-15.

[plasticjunkie]

Finally done with the decal marathon. Now to let it cure, seal them for washes then a clear flat coat then weathering and staining. Zoom in on the pictures to see the tiny stencils. More to come…

[stikpusher]

Nice work on the missiles... but why did ZM make the Sidewinders look like radar Atolls? Those aren't USAF types...

[eaglecash867]

Jan 31, 2024 20:47:53 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Nice work on the missiles... but why did ZM make the Sidewinders look like radar Atolls? Those aren't USAF types...

Maybe their attempt at an AIM-9E?  They sorta looked like what's in the pic, and F-4Es did carry them.  

That's a good looking Phantom PJ!

[plasticjunkie]

They look like AIM9Es to me

www.si.edu/object/missile-air-air-sidewinder-aim-9e%3Anasm_A20030007000
www.si.edu/object/missile-air-air-sidewinder-aim-9e%3Anasm_A20030007000

[buddho]

Gorgeous camou...really fabulous work here.

[plasticjunkie]

Thanks all for your comments . I still have to touch up a couple of areas, one being the fuel tank pylons that are grey.

[handiabled]

Great progress and way to persevere through the stencil decals!

[TJ]

Yikes thats alot of stencils

[garybrantley]

Hi Ernie! 👋  You've got a great project going here!   And it's looking good already. 👍  I know all those stencils are a pain to apply, but you know the end result is going to be well worth it! 

Happy to hear you're using a Sotar AB to good effect here.   I have one too but haven't used it much; for some reason, it sort of intimidates me. 😉

[plasticjunkie]

Feb 1, 2024 8:55:11 GMT -5 garybrantley said:

Hi Ernie! 👋  You've got a great project going here!   And it's looking good already. 👍  I know all those stencils are a pain to apply, but you know the end result is going to be well worth it! 

Happy to hear you're using a Sotar AB to good effect here.   I have one too but haven't used it much; for some reason, it sort of intimidates me. 😉

Thanks Gary, great to hear from you. Hey give the Sotar a try , it’s awesome specially on smaller aircraft mottling. Very simple to clean too. 👌

[stikpusher]

Here are some AIM-9Es for comparison





The seeker head is a bit shorter than those in the kit.

[Steve Zuleski]

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…

Happy Holloman AFB, 49th Tac Fighter Wing, 7th, 8th, and 9th TFS, HO, HO, HO! A bit before my time in "hell", but the tail insignia is unmistakable. Actually, I can't say hell, I met my lovely bride there, so I can now call it Heaven! Beautiful pics, Carlos.

The squadrons were the Iron Knights, 9th, Bunyaps, 7th, and Electric Poodles, 8th, we called them, lol.

Dang fine build, Ernie. I was a load toad on F-15's after the F-4's left, and the Phantom was not a friendly bird for us 462's (weapons loaders) back in the day. Hominoids or Phantom bites, take your pick, is what the old salts said, back when I first arrived.

[plasticjunkie]

Feb 1, 2024 14:20:10 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Here are some AIM-9Es for comparison





The seeker head is a bit shorter than those in the kit.

As with any model kit you will have some discrepancy being shape, panel line location etc. I think ZM has done a fine job specially the parts fit which is amazing.

[stikpusher]

I hear ya there. The F-4 itself looks great. The Sidewinders just look a bit off. Thats just something that catches my eye. Enjoy your build.

[jmarc]

IIIII,m here , I'm here a little late ,love your paint job ..keep up the good work !

[plasticjunkie]

Feb 4, 2024 6:32:36 GMT -5 jmarc said:

IIIII,m here , I'm here a little late ,love your paint job ..keep up the good work !

Thank you. Did the Flory washes and shot the clear flat to kill the gloss. Today will be starting on weathering/ staining/streaking using artists oil paints. She will also grow legs today lol.

[plasticjunkie]

 
Pulled the masking off the clear parts and retouched the wing tanks and a couple of spots on the camo. This upcoming part is my favorite, weathering and streaking making it look used. The Flory washes help accentuate the molded details of the panel lines and rivets and create subtle streaks in the process. More to come fellas. 

[M1Carbine]

Beutuful!

-Bob

[Steve Zuleski]

Excellent panel work, looks great!

[deafpanzer]

I like everything I am seeing too!!!

[plasticjunkie]

She is completed 

[keavdog]

Looks great. They look mean in SEA camo and loaded for a MigCAP mission. Well done.

[lyle]

Amazing! And all the stencils, too!

[handiabled]

Love it! What a great SEA camo Phantom!

[406 Silverado]

Just can't get over all the details and paint work that went into this build Ernie! What's the purpose of the honeycomb patches on the upper wing surfaces?

[garybrantley]

She looks fantastic, Ernie! 🤩  You did a great job on that Phantom! 

[jeaton01]

A well done doesn't seem appropriate, maybe an analogue of Gesundheit meaning "GOOD" would work here?

[plasticjunkie]

Feb 8, 2024 8:23:17 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Just can't get over all the details and paint work that went into this build Ernie! What's the purpose of the honeycomb patches on the upper wing surfaces?

No Step warning stencils. Have no clue why the honeycomb pattern but looks cool.