Finemolds 1/72 F-4J Phantom “Aardvarks”, Kit FP43
My next project. I’ve finished 2 kits so far this September and I’m closing in on my 3rd so I decided it was time to start something new.
This kit is getting a bit on the modern side for my preferences, but I do like the Phantom! When Finemolds announced this kit last year I decided I had to get one. At the IPMS Nationals I picked one up. I also like the Vark markings as I deployed in CAG-11 and VF-114 was with us, albeit in Tomcats.
Lots of parts and they all look quite crisp. This is the bonus kit that also has 2 Naval Aviators — a pilot and radar intercept officer.
I plan to take my time with this one and frankly enjoy the process. I’ll start with the cockpit (the first steps) and try painting the dials instead of a decal. The kit offers both options and I can always default to a decal if I get frustrated with the raised details.
Summary
I’ve been ready for a nice kit for quite awhile. A new project is always exciting.
2 thoughts on “Preview: F-4J Phantom”
Tim, glad I found the resurrected blog again. Noticed you had vanished for a bit, but kept checking back every so often to see if you’d reappear. Anyway, glad you’re back again. I may not reply much, but I read your posts quite a bit.
I picked up the USAF F-4C boxing of this kit. I like the detail. Kind of pricey, but what I really am not sure about is the kit engineering. I know why they did what they did with parts break down (to be able to kit the most variants from the same basic molds) but I’m just not crazy about it. Mostly the construction of the fuselage.
We were kind of due for a new F-4 series, especially short nose versions, so I’m happy nonetheless to have the Fine Molds kit available.
Thanks, Jason. I had lost a bit of online mojo and had to assess what I wanted to get from the blog. Ongoing technical issues with blogger did not help.
Yes, yet another over-engineered kit but my initial impression is this will go together fairly easily. I do plan to post progress as I work through each area and discuss any challenges.
Regards, and thanks for checking in on me!
Tim