This F-4E depicts
the plane flown by Steve Ritchie and Chuck DeBellevue when they scored
their 3rd and 4th Mig kills in July of '72. In order to display
the plane with the correct load out and markings, I had to do a little
scratch building, use some aftermarket kits, and do some serious
scrounging on the ARC forums for decals. However, it was well worth the
effort, and I am very pleased with the end results.
I used the Black Box
cockpit set, which is a considerable upgrade to the kit's cockpit parts. I
understand that the ejection seats are actually modeled after the Navy's
version, but they were just too nice not to use. Other aftermarket sets
include Eduard F-4E interior and exterior photo etched sets, AMS FOD covers, and
CAM exhausts and afterburners. The CAM exhaust cans had so many
air bubbles in them that I considered using them as Swiss cheese, and I can see
myself replacing them one day. However, they are an upgrade to the
undersized kit exhausts.
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images below to see larger images
The centerline fuel
tank is from the Revell/Monogram F-4E kit, and it was modified in a similar
fashion to the one I used on my RF-4C kit. The AIM-9J's are from Cutting
Edge. It's quite possible that Ritchie and DeBellevue were armed with
AIM-9E's, as the J version of the Sidewinder would have been quite new in July
of '72. However, the kit's AIM-9E's are not very accurate, so I went with
the J versions. The ALQ-101 was scratch built using parts of an AGM-88
HARM missile from the Trumpeter A-7D kit, along with pieces from the ALQ-119 pod
that's included in the Revell/Monogram F-4 kits. Thanks to Harold and
mrvark for their blueprint drawings of the pod! Other modifications
include opening the gun breach door in order to display some of
the beautiful gun details included with the kit.
The markings for the plane were
pieced together using various decals graciously donated by (in no particular
order) Zactoman, johncrow, and maverick728470. Thank you all for your
assistance! Additionally, I used Icarus stencils, which add a great deal
of detail, particularly on a model of this large scale.
This is the fifth 1/32 scale
F-4 that I've built in SEA camo during the past five years, and my
hope is that I'm getting better with each model!
John McCormick
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images below to see larger images
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