1/48 Hasegawa RF-4B PT-31

In-box Preview by George Campbell, aka F4CCV
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    Hasegawa continues to expand their excellent F-4 series begun over 20 years ago.  The two newest offerings are PT-30, a Japanese RF-4E and PT-31, a U. S. MARINES RF-4B.  An overview of the 12 trees of parts shows PT-31 to be extremely complete.    Since this release has both the original "chisel nose" camera fairing and the smoothed camera fairing, almost any thick-winged RF-4 can be built using aftermarket decals, including export versions.  There are several pleasant surprises in the box, such as delicate catapult launch hooks for U. S. Marine aircraft !!! 

     An old saying states that a picture is worth a thousand words so there's a lot that I will not have to write.  With so many other reviews of previous releases available that too will reduce the comments here.  See Modeling for an excellent review of the PT-30 kit.  I have spent over a week test-fitting parts from various kits, researching many texts and photos.  However, this may turn into a steam-of-thought essay, but I will try to keep it as organized as possible.  Cut and paste is such a wonderful feature. 

    I believe the two versions (PT 30 and PT 31) will differ only in the clear parts and decals; PT-31 has an additional  tree with the U. S. style V-shaped camera window for the rotating prism camera system.

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Fuselage Clear Parts Decal

    To create the RF-4B/E, Hasegawa molded a two-piece RF fuselage featuring cockpit detail on the insides, flare compartments, 3 optional fin caps, 2 optional camera fairings and optional position flare doors.  All external surfaces feature engraved panel lines, except the stabilators from a previous kit.  The purists and contest folks can easily scribe them if they choose.

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Sheet In. Panels Inst. Panel Parts Conversion Tree

    Both fore and aft instrument panels are brand new for the photo recon Phantoms.  Panel Q4 for the Navy-style aft cockpit is provided.  Note that it is different than -J and -S panels.  Also note, RF's do not appear to have used HUD's.  There isn't a circuit breaker panel for a USAF version.  Perhaps that will be added in a future release or is in the RF-4E kit.   

Paint and Decal Layout

    The green-tailed, gold fox is a beauty.  I only wish Hasegawa had printed the fin markings in one decal with the green fin base on it.  Of course, that would probably have required  some rather tight registration in printing with inherent additional cost.  Optional decals in white are for 7351, the last RF-4 built.  It is a gloss black bird with a flat black anti-glare panel !!  That ought to be impressive !  And note the instructions correctly show it using the aerodynamic camera fairing.  Over-sized white decals are provided to highlight the full color star and bar decals on the black aircraft.

    One of the first things many of us will ask is, " Are the wings the correct thin version ?"  The answer is "No !!"   Bureau numbers for both versions are correct for thick winged aircraft.  The last 12 RF-4's had thick wings and the last 3 had the more aerodynamically styled camera fairing. 
     Thin tires are in the box. They would only be useful in back-dating or kit-bashing the aircraft.   Even though this is a collection of old and newly tooled trees, the thin wings of the old F-4B are not easily useable to create a thin-winged version as the forward Sparrow bays do not align properly and the F-4B wing panels lines are raised.  I am creating a resin thin-wing conversion using that will be compatible with the balance of this kit.  It should be on the market before too long. 
 

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Wings

      The artist (T. Wada) did his research well.  A photo in an old Koku-Fan shows the red intake lip is correctly rendered for 7347.  This Phantom crashed off San Clemente so it may be at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.  Wada's beautiful box art shows RF-4B "3105" in echelon position.  It would be a thin wing version, unless up-graded in SURE or SLEP.  Another photo somewhere shows 3105 with the grey rudder as shown in box art. 
    Hasegawa maintains their reputation for accuracy and quality with this kit.  Although a couple of areas need attention.  Note in Step 5, both Marine planes are shown as having the Air Force 2-light nose gear door.  Correct parts for both the door (G10) and the clear lights (Y6) are in the kit.  
    This is correct for carrier landings as the Marines would be required to do.  The photo at the top of the instruction sheet shows the correct nose door in place.

    The inside surfaces of  the intakes have mold release pin marks and tooling scratches that are unsightly.  Most modelers will want to wet-sand them smooth before assembly.  Recces could carry in-board pylons so you may choose to mount them, either empty or with appropriate stores.  Some RF's carried various munitions and stores.  There were even variants with late F-4E slatted wings !!

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Intakes
    Semi-submerged Sparrow fuselage bays are normal for Phantoms.  Hasegawa has supplied separate covers and insets to conceal them per RF configuration.  The prototype RF-4C (and perhaps some others) had the aft bays open, so creative modelers may scout up photos to document their unique model.  Most often seen is the EROS anti-collision pod.

    If you choose to kit-bash the late -E slatted wing into this fuselage, the forward Sparrow covers will conceal any slight mis-match in missile bays. Beware, you then have possible mis-matching parts remaining, so you may not be able to complete two models -- an expensive decision for kit-bashers to consider.   

    In Step 3,  Parts D32 and D33 (variable intake ramps) are "hollow" and should be filled flush with the open outside edge.  A simple method is to trace the outline on a piece of sheet stock, scissor it out and carefully file it down to a good fit and glue them in.  Use a # 11 blade to open a hole for the placement pin.  It will be concealed when in position.

    The camera bay, cameras and mounting brackets and braces are nicely detailed.  In fact, the pieces allow the camera bay to be displayed open.   Or a diorama could be created of aircraft with personnel servicing aircraft ... lots of opportunities here for modelers to be creative.  Training missions were often flown without cameras in place so they could be omitted and your model still be accurate, but the detail is so nice, it would be a shame not to use these parts.  The nose gear well is splendidly detailed.       

       Two seated pilot figures are provided which allows in-flight display.  Also, both short and long afterburner nozzles are included allowing the option of back-dating the model, especially with the thin wing.  RHAW intake antennae are present.  The only part that isn't included that I miss is the single piece canopy.  

    Overall, this is an outstanding model that offers so many options for modelers to allow their creative ideas to come to life on their display shelves.  I look forward to seeing many variations on this kit on-line and in contests.  Happy modeling !!!

George

Photos and text © 2004 by George Campbell, aka F4CCV