Super Wing Series No.11
Full review with Geoff Coughlin
Intro comments
We are very lucky to have an early sample of this new kit that includes the small number of parts to make the F-4EK Kai – an additional sprue is included this time with those new parts.
You may know that I completed an in-depth full build of ZM’s first release of their F-4E…
…and you can find the full build in the usual place for all completed Zoukei-Mura aircraft projects in SMN (Aircraft-Finished Now-Zoukei-Mura).
I strongly recommend that you also take a look at the In-Box Here Now review that I’ve done for this kit as it contains some detailed information on the identifying features for the F-4EJ Kai over the F-4E. And of course you can see the new parts.
What a scheme…
On April 15, 2020, the 301st Squadron of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Hyakuri Base unveiled the F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, which will be the “second frog” and the last commemorative painting machine. The model number of the commemorative painting machine is “07-8436”.
Based on metallic blue, the F-4 Phantom character “Spook” is depicted on the vertical tail and the underside of the main wing, and the intake faithfully reproduces the successive squadron marks where the F-4 was deployed by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
In Ibaraki Prefecture, where the Hyakuri base is located.
Date : From 15.4.2020
You tube clip:
The plan
Here’s the plan for this build…
VIDEO DEMO
References
If you search Facebook you should find quite a few images for this aircraft and the ‘Metallic Blue’ scheme applied to F-4EJ kai 07-8436.
The manufacturer’s website also has some good info and I recommend you visit that too.
The fact is that you will get pretty much all you need to know in the box when it arrives and I have found the above websites useful for the finer points for paint and weathering application and much more of this later as that will be the focus for this build. I mention in my video above that all the details for constructing this kit are contained in my full build in SMN for the F-4E and I plan to replicate that again here with this build so I won’t dwell very much at all on construction this time in terms of videos.
Let’s face it, we all can’t wait to get to that colour scheme! Right?
And here’s a pic of the manufacturer’s completed model…
Additions
• eduard Set: 49231 F-4E
• scratched items in the cockpit – small details like wiring behind the seats etc.
Let’s get underway…
Inevitably starting in the cockpit and the ease of fit and lovely detail already gives me a sense of deja vu!
Arabic
Bengali
Bulgarian
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
Danish
Dutch
English
Finnish
French
German
Greek
Hindi
Hungarian
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Maltese
Norwegian
Polish
Portuguese
Punjabi
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
Welsh
Yiddish
Paul Ainsworth says
She’s looking superb,Geoff!
Geoff Coughlin says
Hey, thanks Paul. Right in the middle of decaling now and what a scheme – I never thought I’d make a model with such striking markings – incredible! That will all be in the next update and I reckon you need to allow 3-4 long sessions at the bench to get through the decaling stage – I’ve only just added all the large ones and lots of small ones now! It’s still fun though :) GC
Paul Ainsworth says
You’re more than welcome,my friend.I love all the ‘special schemes’ worn on the JASDF Phantoms with just one exception and that’s the ‘Digital’.I know that’s just my personal opinion and whether it’s the colour combination used I’m not sure.
That said,I must admit it’s very striking to the eye.
I’m following your excellent work with great relish and hope your back issue is on the wane as well,Geoff.
Steve Piggott says
Hi Geoff ,good to see You back at the bench ,and I hope You’re back problems are easing up for You. Great start to this Phantastic Phantom, and I’m really looking forward to see how You approach the painting and decal stages. With immaculate timing Mine arrived this very morning ,and I was blown away by the quality of this great model. Looking forward to the next instalments, all the best and take care,
Steve.
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi Steve – thanks for that and back is much improved – physio worth all the effort :)
Yes, all the decaling is done now and there’s a weekly update on this one now until it’s all finished. Keep a close eye out for the next update… Geoff C.
Manuel Magrinho says
Great job Geoff!
You nailed it, and the work on the tanks is just beautiful.
Waiting to the unveil :-)
Geoff Coughlin says
Thanks Manuel! Much appreciated. GC
Toby Page says
Hi Geoff,
I recently joined, mainly to see what phantoms are being built. I have a couple of ZM phantom kits and the cockpit detail seems really good. What’s the rationale to using the Eduard PE?
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi Toby – the eduard PE gives you the canopy detail as that’s basic on the kit parts. You also need a seat harness as that’s not included. Apart from that I just added some eduard RBF tags (1:72 scale is more realistic). Apart from that just some scratched detail for all the wiring behind the seats. A fair representation is provided in the kit for behind the RIO but plenty to go in behind the pilot. Cheers, Geoff
Steve Piggott says
Hi Geoff, what a Phantastic Phantom ! One of Your best builds to date ,and huge inspiration to all of Us lucky enough to have
bought one. Great tips through the build as ever, and a really useful guide on applying those Phantastic decals. I’ve been watching this beautiful Phantom on You Tube all week,and the other anniversary F-4’s ,and You’ve captured the look and Spirit
of Her perfectly. I’m looking foward to seeing what You make of the new Tamiya F-4B when it arrives , it will have to go some to be as good as this one ! Many thanks for a cracking start to the new year, All the best, Steve.
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi Steve
Thanks very much for your kind words here – it’s really appreciated. As you say, It’ll be great to get my hands on the new Tamiya F-4B that’s due our I think in June 2021 – can’t wait for that! I’ll prioritise that build as soon as it comes in so everyone won’t have long to see just how good it is. And again Steve, you’re right, it will have to be out of the top drawer to be on a par with this ZM kit – Oh I do love a competition between manufacturers :) GC
Geoff Coughlin says
14.11.22 A small update everyone… Thanks to Dan B, you can now get a paint that pretty much exactly matches the metallic blue you need: Mr Color 76 Metallic Blue :) Happy days, GC (PS: Albion Alloys is a great source for these paints – see Contents page for link to their page in SMN and their website details)
Richard Allen says
Fantastic build and video! just managed to pick up this kit for a decent price, going to stick to plan and build my 1/48 Meng F-4G first but this kit is quite an exciting prospect!
Definitely something to look forward too this winter!
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi Richard,
Thanks very much for that – really did enjoy the build and you will too I’m sure :) Cheers for now, Geoff C.