Without a doubt my favourite plane is the F-4. So I was pleased when Leading Edge decals released the F-4 Idaho ANG decals. Once I got copies of the decals...then it was time to build some kits. But first a little bit about each plane.... #298 was built for lt.Col. Eddy 'Fast' Payne who scored a sam kill (first for Idaho) while he was a Major in the "southern Watch" mission after the Gulf war, (something that you do not see on your evening news). 0298 was the last F-4G ( of any USAF F-4) to take off from home field and last active to land at the boneyard. This a/c's markings are included in the decal sheet. This F-4 is in the markings with the F-105 type shark teeth in the final days which is about 2 weeks before the fly off on April 20, 1996. The funny long ones were put on some a/c when they were in Turkey before coming home. 0298 carried both types of Shark teeth at different times. That's why you see the different Shark teeth on different a/c.
The 'SCAT" on 0298 was painted in the evening of the 19th with the permission of Robin Olds.
Both of these models were built from the 1/48 Hasegawa F-4G kit. The fit of the Hasegawa kit is good with no major problems, there are a couple of inaccuracies in the kit, but only die-hard F-4 modellers will notice. I was building these kits for F-4 pilots who flew them and I knew the pilots were not concerned with these tiny inaccuracies. I've built quite a few for them from 1/72 to 1/32 and they are all in Gowen field Boise Idaho. The Hasegawa 1/48 kit is the best, out of 3, one other is Testor/Italeri which is way cheaper, but not as accurate. The worst is the AMT/Ertl, which is unacceptable, stay away at all cost especially if it is priced in between Hasegawa and Testor kit. There is a nasty seam on the spine on all Hasegawa 1/48 F-4s, so be careful. Some people report a gap between the fuselage and the wing, but I have not had a problem with all of the ones that I've built. The cockpit is quite good and the 'dash'; the instrument panel in the back is almost right on and I've been using them instead of the Eduard sets, however you can use a little bit more detail on the side console. All Hasegawa kits of the F-4 except the U.K. and the retooled F-4J/S share the same trees. I used the kit seats as I have the pilots in them. 0303 was built out of box. I do not like the way the dropped stabilizers go on the body, with only a tiny stab, they usually break, I usually strengthen them with steel wire and put them through the body through a copper pipe. The other thing I dislike about the kit is the price, especially as it is CDN$60.00 now! I used Testor Modelmaster enamels on all these models, cleared with Polyscale waterbase gloss before and after decals and finally flat with Pollyscale again. The tires were not sanded flat as they are not very flat, I turned on the stove for a few minutes and then turned off the element, then after the element had cooled down a bit, I pressed the tires by pairs on the elements (after cooling off about 10 seconds) to get the flat look, I prefer the coffee maker in the office, if you know what I mean. It may take some practice. I've built so many F-4s (especially the Hasegawa kit), that I will say it takes me about 3 to 4 hours on and off for building, including the cockpit, it took about an hour longer for 0298 due to the added resin, plus the decals take a bit of time, I usually spray the 2 tone grey and gloss at one sitting, usually about 2 hours. There are not many stencils on the F-4Gs, so I would say about 2 to 3 hours for decals and finishing coats. The real 0298 had the oldest and most well used paint job on it, I used all my photos to paint and weather it like the real one, you cannot see them well in these photos, but they are all there including a light spot by the base of the tail on the left side, I think and some smer marks on the Variable intake ramps, 0303 is cleaner. I used my thinned down black/rust method on most panels especially the undersides, but do not go heavy as all the F-4G were in very good condition and not dirty at all. The natural metal parts of the F-4s by the burners were painted last, as every F-4 has its different shade, so they were painted according to photos, take about an hour with different shade, mix of Testor silver, chrome silver and metallisers. I will say that each F-4 takes me 8 to 10 hours on and off. Facts about the Decals Uncle Rick Chin
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Photos and text © by Uncle Rick Chin of Uncle Bills Hobby