1/32 Tamiya F-4G

F-4D converted into an F-4G

by Jake Melampy

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I built this F-4 about two years ago.  It began life as the 1/32nd Tamiya F-4D, but I have always had a fondness for the Wild Weasel "G" jets, so when Cutting Edge released their conversion, I quickly purchased that and began work.  Everyone by now knows the pros and cons of the Tamiya kit, so there is no need to review that.  The Cutting Edge set was beautiful.  Perfectly cast resin, down to the Weasel-specific antenna that sprout from all over the jet.  A nice touch was the WSO's instrument panel.  It was cast in a   translucent green resin, so that, when painted, it would very realistically simulate the greenish tint to the glass screens. Cutting Edge also supplies new engine exhausts which are wonderful in detail, but very noticeably too small in diameter.  Another drawback is the price.

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I also purchased the Verlinden cockpit set (designed for the D) and modified it to resemble a G cockpit.  The seats are a little inaccurate, but with some time and effort build into very nice seats.  The seatbelts and RBF tags are made from lead foil. The buckles are made from scrap brass, as Verlinden didn't supply them.

Once the cockpit was finally finished, assembly went smoothly.  The Cutting Edge nose mated fairly well to the Tamiya fuselage, requiring some putty and scrap plastic to bridge a small "step", but nothing too bad.  The model was painted with Model Master enamels and weathered using a combination of drybrushing, airbrush shading, and a wash of water-based dark gray paint.  The decals are from Leading Edge.  They laid down perfectly, leaving no sign of the carrier film.  They depict F-4G 69-0298 as it appeared in March of 1996.  It was one of the last three F-4s serving in the U.S. Air Force.

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Other odds and ends include a scratch-build AN/ALQ-184, and a scratch-built front windscreen, as 69-0298 used the newer one-piece windscreen.  I did this by molding a master from wood, and then pulling clear Thermaform from Squadron over the master.  Very easy.  Mk.20 Rockeye cluster bombs came from the 1/32nd F-15E and the AGM-45 Shrikes came from the spares box.  The Shrikes are not accurate, as they were long since removed from service by 1996, but I didn't have any AGM-88 HARMs laying around.  I plan to replace the Shrikes soon, though. The centerline 600 gallon fuel tank was robbed from a Revell RF-4C.  The RBF tags are made from lead-foil. The engine intake covers are Reheat.

 All in all, this model was a joy to build.  It is by far my favorite model I've built.

I hope you've enjoyed the article and pictures.
Jake

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Photos and text © by Jake Melampy