1/48 Hasegawa F-4E HAF

Gallery Article by George Papanikolaou on July 27 2009

 

The KIT 
As everybody knows, the kit is very old, but still remains a very accurate model for building the Phantom. The parts fit to a very good standard, but you have to pay attention to the lower surfaces. 

COCKPIT 
I used the Aires set for improving the cockpit, and ejection seats by Verlinden. Both of them were enough to increase the realism to high levels! Humbrol 128 is used for painting it, wash and dry brush for the details. 

ENGINES 
I used plastic sheet, and scratchbuilt the suitable details, I made all the necessary improvements. 

Click on images below to see larger images

LANDING SYSTEM 
The wheel wells, are painted White Matt, no major improvements needed. 

PAINTING 
I liked always the Blue Aegean color for this Bird. Monotone painting is very difficult for a modeler to catch the real contrasts and weathering. 
Silver was the first coat for the lower surfaces. H-56 of Gunze, applied on the upper surfaces, and mixing light blue or white, I airbrushed the different tones panel by panel. 3 days were enough to achieve a good result. 
The metal parts of the engine are painted with Tamiya’s Titanium, and weathered with back and brown Oils. 

It’s not the perfect model definitely. More details were necessary, but I preferred to model it till my pleasure ends. 
Hope you like, as I do. Thank you.

George Papanikolaou

Photos and text © by George Papanikolaou