1/72 F-4M/K Phantoms

by Shahrukh Ali

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Introduction: I am from Karachi Pakistan and it’s my first ever article on internet about my very first scale models.

Looking for any hobby shop here in Karachi city is just like finding a pin in the dark. Coincidentally one day I found the first ever scale model kit in a local market three years ago. They were poor quality F-4 Phantoms! Without missing any chance I purchased 4 kits at very cheap price. That day I became so happy to be a Scale Modeller for the first time. Later on, I came to know that these are the Royal Navy’s and Air Force’s F-4M/K Phantoms.

Within a few days I instantly made my first ever F-4 (see above) without using any paints and with plenty of mistakes in it for example, landing gears missing, nose wheel door in opened position while main wheels doors not properly retracted. War loads carrying ordinary fuel tanks with 4 Sidewinders.

All I want from my first kit is just to see how the scale model looked.  

After learning so many things from the first one. I made a second Phantom, but this more clear, more attractive than the first one, but still not much accurate. This time I decided to apply some colors on it. I used black and red painting markers and loaded 4 Skyflash with fuel tanks. But still not appreciable and I wasn’t satisfied with this one too.

My both first and second phantoms are now hanging around my bedroom, showing spectacular peel-off.

Click on images below to see larger images

After searching pictures and studying about the tired Royal Navy’s and Air Force’s F-4M/K Phantoms, I tried to make something that looks like the real one, but it didn’t happened so. Without any decals, markings, paints it became so hard for me.

One more thing I want to tell you guys that there wasn’t any Canopy set included in a packet. All you see in pictures is custom made by thin pet plastic.

Anyway, my third model bit looks like RN’s F-4M (that’s what I say!)

F-4K FG1 is RN variant of the F-4J, incorporating a slightly different and extendable nose wheel unit for smaller RN aircraft carriers. I had an option to install extendable nose wheel but I didn’t find any pictures of such a type, so decided to use the default nose wheel leg.

F-4M is externally identical to the RN F-4K, no extendable nose wheel oleo (standard F-4C unit) unslotted stabilators and minor changes in avionics. Armaments: 4 “Skyflash” in blue and fuel tank under centerline station. Usually RN F-4M carries 370gal wing tanks and 2 AIM-9 launching rails attached to the inner wing pylon. Below picture shown a fully armed F-4M FGR2 carrying ordinary fuel tanks, 4 AIM-9 “Sidewinders” and 4 “Skyflash”.

Click on images below to see larger images

I was very much impressed with Luftwaffen Phantoms wearing special paint schemes on occasions. After seeing one GAF’s RF-4E in “Panther Look” I decided to make my last remaining Phantom in overall Black scheme using painting marker and see how its look!

Finally I want to say my fellow modellers that It’s just a beginning for me and I know that my Phantoms can’t compete with other builders and they don’t meet with the reality at all. You friends should appreciate our models, as we Pakistanis here don’t have any modeling stuffs like you people.

I guess someone have to be better think about it. For the better future of
PAK-MODELLERS

Shahrukh 

Click on images below to see larger images

Photos and text © by Shahrukh Ali