Yeah, those birds had a long service time didn't they. I remember the local squadron had them into the 1980s, Bergstrom AFB was the home of several BUFFs, but also a squadron of Wild Weasel F4s. I'm not sure when they were decommissioned or moved, but it was before the 1990s when the base was shut down.

I think the most interesting would be a 1960s version as the 1st to see combat, or one of the last of the era, the SEAD guys. Regarding my comment/question of "best"...

I think that fit and finish define best quality for me. I do not mind a little filler here and there, or having to massage some aprts, but I'm too old and blind to want to fight anyone or anything.

I'm just wrapping up the most complicated aircraft kit I've ever done, 300+ parts on a single engine fighter seems extreme, but I've been SOOOO impressed with the quality. Some parts were a struggle for me since I am out of practice and trying to learn the new 21st century glues and paints. But the Tamiya 1/32 Corsair is an engineering and manufacturing work of art. When a kit is better than me, or my skills, I admit it.

So that is what I would say, which 1/48 F4 Phantom would you say is the best kit as far as engineering and manufacturing? I 'll never say money is no object, but at my age and almost 40 year in IT I can afford it, I'm not worried about costs of any 1/48 kit.