Construction
As ever, spend a good bit of time studying the instructions and assembly plan – ZM are usually excellent at giving you all the information that you need to successfully navigate the project and in many instances very good specific recommendations as to the order and options for each version on offer along the way.
Into the cockpit and the ejection seat that I think is really nice from the box. You will need to source a seat harness but other than that, everything is there in the kit parts to make up a very good pair of ejection seats :)
The parts-fit is excellent.
Onto the cockpit tub next and really these early stages are about getting all the cockpit parts and nose gear ready for the base coat of dark gray that provides a nice effect when the white (wheel bays) or cockpit grey top colours are sprayed over the top. You get some very nice shadows in all the nooks and crannies enhancing the detail painting to follow.
The cockpit sills are a separate part that attaches to the top of the tub and then the whole sub-assembly will be dropped into the forward fuselage and from past experience it should all fit very well. Just be careful to be accurate in placement of parts and the ZM instruction book is invaluable for this.
Some of the very small parts like canopy jettison handles will be added later.
All these parts are now sprayed Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black, being a nice dark grey it’s perfect for the task.
There are other parts like the canopies etc that could also be painted but my plan is to leave these alone for now so we can make quicker progress.
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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