When all the decals are on and the model is left to fully dry overnight, I sprayed another gloss coat mix to seal the decals in and make sure none of the decal carrier film shows through. Leave, again for about 24 hours and then it’s time to lay down a flat varnish. I like Tamiya’s Flat Clear XF-86 as it gives a really nice flat finish. If you are careful with your trigger finger lay down more on the upper surfaces and less around the lower rear where the airframe tended to get oily and took on quite a shiny/satin finish.
When all is dry, attention can be given to weathering and panel line enhancement. I’m using pastels for all the weathering on this project, save for just a few scratches around the airframe that I’ll do later using an ordinary graphite pencil. I have created several videos in earlier builds and in the Techniques Bank showing how I apply pastels so take a look if you want a steer on that.
Just before this though, I painted in the small areas of flat black on the antennas forward and aft.
Choice of stores…
You do get quite a choice for Wild Weasel F-4Cs, although if you choose the Spangdahlem option as I did, very few were actually carried day to day. Mostly it looks from photos that a combination of tanks was common, as was a luggage pod on one of the inner pylons. Some pics show no stores or tanks at all but, as ever you just decide what you like and add them – plenty in the box to choose from.
Guess who forgot to assemble and paint the inner pylons? Feeling a bit of a twit here, so these need assembling and painting and that, along with the final assembly and finishing will come soon in the final part of this project.
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Howard Kilburn says
Looking forward to seeing this come together Geoff particularly in SEAC camo… just about my favourite camo scheme ever
Paul Ainsworth says
“Hello,Geoff” – I’m following this project with great interest.
Your previous two Zukei-Mura Phantom builds are testaments to what a great product they are.The level of detail is fantastic.
Digits-crossed for a British version at some point!
As Always,
Paul.
Geoff Coughlin says
Nice one Howard – yes, looking forward to getting to the panting stages :) G
Steve Piggott says
Hi Geoff , good to see another Zoukei Mura Phantom on the bench,
Hope you’re enjoying the build as much as I do,I’ve just finished My 5th ZM Phantom , also a F-4C. Ioved Your method of painting the cockpit tub ,definitely try that on the next one. Looking forward to the build and especially the classic paint scheme .
best wishes as ever, Steve.
Geoff Coughlin says
Excellent Steve and thanks for your interest and comments – soon will be at the painting stage :) Cheers, G
Howard Kilburn says
Loving this build Geoff, can’t wait to see it in camo, also enjoying seeing yr use of Perfect Plastic Putty…. certainly useful on my Spit XIV laminar flow designs conversion… I, m an absolute tyro with conversions but nice to push the boundaries occasionally
Regards H
Steve Piggott says
Hi Geoff, great job with the colour scheme ,and I’m really impressed with the results You get with the Hataka paints, great stuff.
If You do suffer with the Blu-tack marking the paint, try using a very slightly damp microfibre cloth ,and wipe over the affected area, the marks usually come straight off.
Look forward to the next update,
All the best, Steve
Howard Kilburn says
Beautiful camo work Geoff
Geoff Coughlin says
Great tip! Thanks Steve
G
Geoff Coughlin says
Thanks Howard! Cheers, G
Steve Piggott says
Hi Geoff ,great job on another Phabulous Phantom ,really like Your method of detailing and painting the cockpit, and the overall finish and weathering ,great stuff. If I may be so bold,I think the ZM F-4’s are the most complete models out of the box, and quite possibly the
best Phantoms on the market. Look forward to Your next project ,and of course Your next F-4 ,
All the best, Steve
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi Steve,
Many thanks for that and I agree – really love the ZM F-4s – their whole approach to the build and detail is very enjoyable and that’s what it’s all about for me – having fun and enjoying the process as well as developing skills.
Cheers for now
Geoff
PS – love to see your work in SMN Steve – do drop me a message via the contact form if interested… G
David Muscroft says
And the pictures……. Excellent to say the least, with an interesting twist. The ‘dusk’ shot, I’m guessing that the sky background was a different shot to the previous ones ? And the warm light on the aircraft, maybe late evening sunlight adding the golden glow? Thats my best guess anyway, and I’ll be adding these thoughts to my photo-techniques bank !
I reckon theres some helpful hints here for the ‘how to photgraph your models’ techniques pages !
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi David
Yes very perceptive – the evening sunset worked well I think to create a different look.
And thanks for your great TB entry on photographing your models! Part 1 is in and Parts 2&3 coming in the next few weeks.
GC
Geoff Coughlin says
A nice comment from Roberto – very helpful :)GC
Hello,
Over the last few days I’ve read the post on the construction of the Zoukei Mura 1/48 F-4C Wild Weasel IV. A very interesting post, by the way, because of the use of Hakata paint, which I also own. The Zoukei model is an absolute must for any Phantom II enthusiast.
One of your sentences caught my attention: I am still trying to research the nose art Super Cocks etc and will update when I have found out more. It does look good though…
After a search, I found an image of the nose of the “Super Cocks Swiss Salmar” aircraft on the following site: https://wildweasels.org/f-4c-3/
In the middle of the page you will find a partial picture of the nose art.
Greetings from Central Switzerland
Roberto Alessandro Cattelan