Isracast

1/48 Israeli RF-4E Phantom Upgrade & Conversion Set

Product # IC-48034 for $24.00

Product Article by Steve Bamford on May 9 2011

 

This new conversion set from IsraCast permits you to upgrade and convert the 1/32 Hasegawa RF-4C/E Phantom II into an Israeli RF-4E Phantom II.  

The Israeli Air Force operated two RF-4E aircraft which featured field modified radome to accommodate a Zeiss camera.  The aircraft numbers were 489, with the early style square shaped camera nose and 497, with the late style rounded nose.  

Click on images below to see larger images

  

This set is has a clear hollow resin nose that you will insert the camera into...mask the camera windows...glue the nose cone to your model, and paint the nose along with the rest of your model.  The frame around the camera window has tiny rivets as does the camera housing that fits inside the nose.  The special F-4's also had different instrument panels and those are included in this set.  You also get 2 more resin panels that fit on the belly of your RF-4E that are mounted in-front and behind the nose gear.  You also get both styles of aiming devices depending on which jet you build, this is explained in the instructions.

The 2 pages of instructions cover the whole conversion process using step by step text instructions and multiple line drawings.  The second page includes 7 B&W photos of the real jet showing the nose from different angles.

The resin parts are beautifully cast and with this set you will have the ability to build an accurate Israeli RF-4E to add to you display case.

I would like to thank IsraDecal for providing me with this review sample.

Steve Bamford

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford