ZM F-4E Early Phantom ll

[Rockin' Rob]

I know it doesn't look like it but at least 4 hours a night kind of working at it not too diligently but having fun. Doesn't look like it but clean up was kind of a pain on the landing gear. Big old seam line on it. But I did test fit it and it seems really sturdy which I like because sometimes you set the airplane on the Shelf in its spot and the landing gear breaks off

 

[Edbert]

Yes, it's a ZM kit. You know how those are.

I know how they are! But my knowledge is with 1/32, are they the same with 1/48? Giving you tons of parts and work that only God himself (and you) will ever see?

Kinda looks like it with Phantom engines. If the fit as good in 1/48 as 1/32?

I'd put them (ZM) in the top tier of makers, almost as good as Kotare, and definitely equal with Tamiya since ~2018 or so. But I've yet to try one of their 1/48 kits.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I know how they are! But my knowledge is with 1/32, are they the same with 1/48? Giving you tons of parts and work that only God himself (and you) will ever see?

Kinda looks like it with Phantom engines. If the fit as good in 1/48 as 1/32?

I'd put them (ZM) in the top tier of makers, almost as good as Kotare, and definitely equal with Tamiya since ~2018 or so. But I've yet to try one of their 1/48 kits.

Yes, ZM is one of my favorites. The 132nd has more parts I believe. I think they dive more into how they build the plane internally. This particular kit has amazing detail and fit. But it doesn't go into all the wing ribs and piping and 62 pieces for just the engine. In fact, this engine like I said was Plain Jane. Two pieces, glue them together, done, glue them in, you'll never see them again.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Heck, on the engines I painted them just to try out my metal all clad

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I got a bit more accomplished. The bottom color is on. Painted all the little bits and pieces and put them in a box for safe keeping. Working on the aim 7 missiles and painted the nose black and next up is the sea camo

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Alrighty then. I'm out back putting on some gloss spray on the missiles and thought I'd give you an update. Got the nose masked off and I think I'm ready for the body color. So today was mixing up custom mixes for the sea camo. I'm pretty sure I can find two more empty jars of paint or almost empty and I can put them in another one so I can clean it out with lacquer thinner and stick my custom mixes in it. These jars are nice why throw them away? And I'm pretty happy with that tan color.

 

[Jakko]

I also re-use Tamiya glass jars for custom paint mixes. Keeping paint good is what they're intended for, after all

 

[Edbert]

It is true that few Tamiya paints match perfectly with a FS# or RLM code, but there are many recipies out there, and I see you have one for SEA.

I keep similar notes, just electronically instead of post-it. Here's most of the WWII German ones in case you want to copy them...
RLM 02:- XF22:1 + XF49:1
RLM 65:- XF23:1 + XF2:1
RLM 71:- XF62:1 + XF49:1
RLM 74:- XF24:3 + XF27:2
RLM 75:- XF24:5 + XF50:1
RLM 76:- XF2:7 + XF23:1 + XF66:2
RLM 79:- XF59:3 + XF64:1
RLM 80:- XF58
RLM 81:- XF51:1 + XF64:2
RLM 82:- XF5 or XF5:1 + XF2:1 or XF5:1 +XF3:1
RLM 83:- XF61 or XF24:1 + XF51:1 or XF24:1 +XF51:1

 

[Rockin' Rob]

It is true that few Tamiya paints match perfectly with a FS# or RLM code, but there are many recipies out there, and I see you have one for SEA.

I keep similar notes, just electronically instead of post-it. Here's most of the WWII German ones in case you want to copy them...
RLM 02:- XF22:1 + XF49:1
RLM 65:- XF23:1 + XF2:1
RLM 71:- XF62:1 + XF49:1
RLM 74:- XF24:3 + XF27:2
RLM 75:- XF24:5 + XF50:1
RLM 76:- XF2:7 + XF23:1 + XF66:2
RLM 79:- XF59:3 + XF64:1
RLM 80:- XF58
RLM 81:- XF51:1 + XF64:2
RLM 82:- XF5 or XF5:1 + XF2:1 or XF5:1 +XF3:1
RLM 83:- XF61 or XF24:1 + XF51:1 or XF24:1 +XF51:1

Nice! I'll take a screenshot and save that for future reference. That's going to help out a lot cuz I got two HS 129 to build coming up.

 

[Littlemarten]

I also re-use Tamiya glass jars for custom paint mixes. Keeping paint good is what they're intended for, after all

I never throw out a good glass container with a good lid—I have boxes of them in the attic!

 

[Ron2]

Alrighty then. I'm back. With a new phone and wow is the camera cool. You just wait till I figure it out but here's a couple pictures just to make sure this all works.

Wow. Is that aftermarket?

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Wow. Is that aftermarket?

Is what aftermarket? The camera? It's just a Samsung s27fe. Came out like a year ago

 

[Ron2]

Is what aftermarket? The camera? It's just a Samsung s27fe. Came out like a year ago

Haha. Aren't you a mind reader? The cockpit detail - it's really good!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I like building OOB, generally. I have bought masks for my F-35 but you almost have to with those planes. And, like you, I thought the decals went on really nice. It surprised me. Normally it's a wrestling match

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Started on the tan camouflage color. If you notice I did not do any post shading. I think any shading I'm going to do on this plane will be in the weathering phase. I wanted to try a little experiment. These new kits are so extremely detailed with panel lines and rivets and access hatches it's just amazing. So on this plane I wanted to try and bring all that out with panel lining and a bit of post shading. I don't know. We'll see.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

The wind started ripping so I decided to come in and get some painting done. Got the light green done on the plane and finished up the missiles and painted the boarding ladders

 

[Edbert]

Looking good Rob!

 

[BarleyBop]

the boarding ladders

... the payload is impressive, but these really do it for me!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Looking good Rob!

Thanks

 

[Rockin' Rob]

... the payload is impressive, but these really do it for me!

I thought the boarding ladders were kind of cool. Only three pieces to make them so it wasn't hard at all. Interesting tidbit. Some f4s come with a retractable ladder built into the airframe. Not all Pilots liked them. Lots of injuries.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Getting the dark green on. The dark green is done freehand with airbrush and I have the small tip on it. It doesn't fill in the color too good so I'm going to have to go over it twice or put on a bigger tip when I do the second coat over the dark green

 

[Jakko]

Interesting tidbit. Some f4s come with a retractable ladder built into the airframe.

Would this be because the F-4 is originally a US Navy plane? Because IIRC, they don't use ladders onboard ship, right?

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Would this be because the F-4 is originally a US Navy plane? Because IIRC, they don't use ladders onboard ship, right?

To my limited knowledge they did not use ladders on board ship because there's just no room. But they used ladders on Land Based

 

[Littlemarten]

Based on your posts of this build, I just bought the kit. The F-4 was the "plane of my generation," and it has always been a favorite. I hope I live long enough to build all the Phantom kits in my stash. Go ahead, call me a Phantom Phreak.

 

[Wig41]

Based on your posts of this build, I just bought the kit. The F-4 was the "plane of my generation," and it has always been a favorite. I hope I live long enough to build all the Phantom kits in my stash. Go ahead, call me a Phantom Phreak.

Phantom Phreak !

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Little Martin you're going to love this kit. Maybe build a lesser kit first as a donkey because this one you will want to give it your best effort. It deserves it. And I'm not even close to being done and I'm looking at it going, wow. Dude. You have come a long ways in a short time. I used to be scared to death of freehand airbrush camouflage. And I know I'm not even close to the level of some of you but when I look at it and grin, that makes me happy. Happy happy happy. Sound familiar? Happy happy happy

 

[Wig41]

That's great that this build makes you feel so good. Most of the time I feel disappointed and bummed that my build didn't turn out as well as I hoped. But … I keep building !

 

[Rockin' Rob]

That's great that this build makes you feel so good. Most of the time I feel disappointed and bummed that my build didn't turn out as well as I hoped. But … I keep building !

You're too hard on yourself wig. I follow some of your builds and they always turn out pretty nice. I was just looking at my past builds with attempts at camouflage and at best they're laughable. But in the words of an old man talking to Robert redford. You've come a long ways, pilgrim..

 

[Jantk14]

Any chance this kit comes with canopy masks? I'm debating on my next build. Either the Tamiya F14 or a ZM F4.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Any chance this kit comes with canopy masks? I'm debating on my next build. Either the Tamiya F14 or a ZM F4.

No chance. I did order some but they won't be here for a week and a half