1/32 Tamiya F-4B VF-111 Sundowners "MIG Killer"

Gallery Article by Gary Hatherly on Dec 22 2017

 

      

The model is based of a Tamiya 1/32 Scale F-4J kit. Wanting to build this jet and the subsequent conversion "Super Set" was part of the motivation for starting GT Resin Products 4 years ago. Since the subject is so popular, I will not bore everyone with aircraft history and details. 

The model took almost 1500 hours to complete and contains over 2000 individual parts. Even though these large builds take much time, I find them very rewarding and enjoy the challenge of making a model as close to the real subject as possible. I also like the dirty bird look as modeled here post cruise. One point I want to single out is the excellent decals from Zotz. They went on perfectly as the pictures show.

Click on images below to see larger images

Details of the build are listed below:

Scratch Built parts and Major Modifications:

  • J-79-8 Exhaust

    • Highly detailed exhaust nozzle

    • Detailed engine afterburner tube & rear engine fan

    • Flame holder with ignition fuel dump located at the correct 5:00 position.

  • Scratch Built Engine trim

  • Scratch Built Fuel tank/ Fuselage vents above each engine nozzle

  • Scratch Built Tail hook with latch pin and centering lock

  • Rear fuselage:

    • Tail section reworked with two bottom vents opened

    • Drain Added and "T" handle release scratch built

    • Reworking of the under fuselage area (Metal Finish area) to reflect correct details of the actual jet

  • Elevator - Slatted elevator with spacing 

  • Vertical Tail Fin:

    • Scratch Built Correct detailed fin cap w

    • Master Model Metal Pitot tubes added

    • Fuel Dump and fin separated and correctly positioned

  • Scratch Built Hydraulic pressure gauge and clear lens

  • Fuselage:

    • Fuselage completely riveted 

    • Scratch Built seamless Intakes

    • Scratch Built engine trim

    • Master Metal AOA

    • Scratch Built Chin Pod and nose cone

    • Heavily reworked Nose gear w/ added details

    • Scratch built S

  • Wing:

    • Scratch built in plastic thin wing top and bottom. Thined wing is in cross section with converted

    • wing profile top and bottom

    • Scratch built Speed brakes

    • Scratch built Main gear doors

    • Scratch built wheel wells, main wing beam, and details added

    • Scratch built main landing gear mount, actuators and operation rods

    • Pylons detailed with scratch building and use of scale metal hardware

    • Main gear heavily modified to correct configuration 

    • Scratch built main gear wheels and tires

    • Clear marker lights installed

  • Canopy and frames:

    • Scratch Built Compass, IFF lights and details added to wind screen

    • Scratch Built canopy defogger ducts each side of Instrument panel

    • Scratch Built with Created parts, Aires PE, and Eduard PE for Canopy frame detail, mirrors, canopy locks, canopy breakers, and map holders 

    • Canopy actuators with scale hardware plumbing

  • Cockpit:

    • Scratch Built tub including details in correct F-4B configuration

    • Scratch Built seat rails

    • Scratch Built instrument panels as documented in reference package. 

    • Scratch Built side walls, Throttle, Control Stick, Gear Lever, Hook lever, and canopy ejection handles.

    • Scratch Built wiring and cockpit side details with some use of Aires and Eduard PE sets.

  • Martin Baker MK 7 Seats:

    • Scratch Built seat base mastered using 3D print to create a simple base seat. Resin copies were then made.

    • Scratch Built Ejection overhead and Lap handles 

    • Scratch Built, Eduard and Aires Seat belts 

    • Painted on seat cushion markings

    • Scratch Built O2 seat connections

  • AIM-7E2 Sparrow Missiles:

    • Missiles are scratch Built with resin copies made for the model.

Manufactured items used in part in whole:

  • Tamiya 1/32 F-4C/D kit

  • Master Model Metal AOA and Pitot

  • Zotz Airframe decals and stencils

  • Two Bobs AIM-9G & AIM-7E2 Decals

  • Eduard F-4J interior and exterior sets

  • Aires PE from F-4S cockpit set

  • Verlinden PE details from F-4D cockpit set

  • Scale Hardware, wires, cables, fittings and hoses

  • Master Model, Valejo, Tamiya, Alclad, & Mr. Color finished used

Parts to build your own are @ www.gtresinproducts.com & Sprue Brothers Models

This model was also photographed for publication in Fine Scale Modeler and won the "BEST LARGE SCALE PHANTOM" at the 2017 IPMS NATS in Omaha.

Gary Hatherly

Click on images below to see larger images

 

Photos and text © by Gary Hatherly