1275GT's Phantom

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1275GT

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Hi all, I decided I'd have a crack at this......

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So after a bit of luck, this turned up and was purchased from Fleabay and delivered this morning......

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It is, of course, Fumiji's 1/72 F-4E of the US Thunderbirds team. It was quite cheap, but as the observant amongst you will have noticed, this is because it's been started, and not started too well, to be honest. It dosen't look too bad, mostly just cleaning up, but the cockpit has been 90% done without any painting or the instrument decals being applied.....I hope this dosen't make me the Lance Armstrong of the forum !!

Anyway, we'll have a crack and see what we can do with it. It's pretty basic, so I'll see if I can add a few bits and pieces to it. I think those decals are going to need a hand from Mr Daniels !

Cheers, Neil

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Nice one Neil.Even though its been started you should still be able to make a nice model out of it.The fact that the cockpit hasn't been painted is a bonus I reckon.
 
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Bunkerbarge

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At least it's not been glued into the fuselage! There are two aircraft that I have always thought of as the iconic massive flying engine type, one is the Elglish Electric Lightning and the other is the Phantom. What an amazing beast. I wonder what flying one of these things must have been like.

I once spoke to an American Harrier pilot so I had to ask him what he thought of the experience and he really believed he had the best job in the world. I couldn't disagree!
 

Ian M

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An interesting choice Neil, Although normally GB and SIG builds a kit that far started is breaking the rules a bit, in this case we'll say they are just a bit bent. After all its, not you that has started it. It will be interesting to see you save it.

Ian M
 

flyjoe180

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Nice choice Neil, should look stunning when done.
 
1

1275GT

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\ said:
Nice choice Neil, should look stunning when done.
Stunning might be a bit optimistic, but I'll see what I can do :smiling3: I've found a few bits and pieces I might add, but I'll need to check with the bank manager first !

Cheers, Neil
 

colin m

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Last post 4 weeks ago, did the bank manager say no ? Well that'll be the credit crunch then.
 
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1275GT

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Afternoon all. Right then, set about doing some remedial workon this, and think I’ve found out why the guy I brought this from gave up on it!!

The fit is “interesting” to say the least in some places,luckily mostly on the underside. The cockpit looks like it won’t be too bad,until you fit it into the body, where it fits where it touches! I’m consideringa resin cockpit, or just trying to make the best of it and keeping the canopiesclosed.

One thing I think I will invest in is a pair of burner cans,although trying to fit something round into a non-round opening is going to befun. Time to find the filler…. J

Cheers, Neil

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flyjoe180

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Well Neil, nice to see some progress on this, but you will have fun with the filling and sanding for a bit. Look forward to seeing it come together.
 
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1275GT

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Hi all. Right, I decided against spending any of my hard-earned on any resin etc, so have made a start on trying to get a decent cockpit. Basically I've extended all the panels just to try and get it boxed in, so now at least you can't peer through to the rest of the airframe ! This also included filling in the indents in the rear cockpit made by the inner air intakes. I've also added and shaped some backing to the bang seats to give them a slightly fuller look, as I thought they were looking decidedly skinny.

So now I'm searching the internet to get an idea of what detailing I might be able to add, especially in the area between the two 'pits. We'll just have to see how far my ( lack of ) talent will let me go with that.....

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Oh, and just for a laugh, I seem to have talked myself into painting on the main markings. My main point with these at the moment is if I should make positive or negative masks for them. Positive ones would be far easier to do ( more or less using the decals as templates ), but I’m not sure about how the white will spray over the reds and blues without going horribly thick. Negative masks will be a complete pain to do, but the painting will be straight forward. Any ideas, people?

Cheers, Neil

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flyjoe180

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Some good progress Neil. I had to box my Airfix cockpit in too, otherwise you would be able to see straight through to the interior of the kit. Don't know much about painting markings on, but you migh tbe interested in a read of this article and its other parts I found a while back: Tech Tips: Don't Rely on Decals (Part One)
 
1

1275GT

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Thanks for the tip-off Joe. It's an interesting read, with some good tips. Think I'm gonna have to stock up on Tamiya tape !

Cheers, Neil
 

takeslousyphotos

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I'm looking forward to seeing the end result here Neil. Progress is looking good...... You are a brave man.

Peter
 
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1275GT

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Ok, just to show I have been doing something, a couple of pics of some work I'm doing to the cockpit / seats. It's all loosely based in fact, but with a healthy dose of artistic license thrown in, mainly due to every pic I've found of both real and resin interiors having a different fit of equipment !!The seat pics are before / so far. Anyway, enjoy !!

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Cheers, Neil

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I was wondering what had happened to your build.Coming on slowly,like mine!.Some nice extra detail there.
 

Ian M

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There is some good things happening here Neil.

Ian M
 

mossiepilot

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That's coming along nicely Neil.

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Centurion3RTR

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Just had to check to see what scale this was lol, great work on the cockpit Neil. Can't wait to see more of this build.

Have fun, John
 
1

1275GT

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Hi all. Just a quick update. I think I've finally finished the cockpit tub. Wasn't really sure what the colour scheme would have been, so I've gone with the 50's/60's black look, which I think seems about right for the period. The seats have come out a lot better than I thought they would, and I've even managed to do the throttle levers !! I might actually leave one of the canopies open....

the tub will still need a bit of work to fit nicely, and I'm going to try and do some instruments on the "bridge" section, so fingers crossed !! View attachment 63684View attachment 63685View attachment 63686View attachment 63687View attachment 63688View attachment 63689View attachment 63690

Cheers, Neil

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