F4 Phantom

[Model Maker]

Commenced fitting the wings to the fuselage using my wing clamping jig. It facilitates stabilizing wing while pressure is applied to the wing during glue up.It also facilitates checking the wing vertical positions using a vernier as shown. Upon checking the relative vertical positons at several points, I discovered one of the wings did not have the correct dihedral.

I decided to glue the wing to the fuselage, and then cut the upturned end after the glue dried. Performed some sanding to obtain the correct dihedral. Used PVA glue along with a couple of fingers to join the two pieces together. Since the butt joints involve end grain, an initial thinned layer of glue (50/50 glue & water) was applied as sizing to allow the wood capillaries to draw in the PVA. After a couple of minutes drying time full strength glue was applied to all mating surfaces.

Missile pockets carved into the fuselage. My skills at carving straight lines with a gouge require some honing.I'll tidy these up after the first coat of primer has been applied.

Attached the tail and elevators.To install the elevators, the plane was levelled and temporary support blocks were cut and installed under the elevators to prevent them from sagging while the glue dried.

[Model Maker]

Getting close to completing the parts installation

Nozzles and tail hook glue in place. I was surprised that I could cut a tail hook this size on the scroll saw. But it worked out. Due to the smallness of the tail hook, I opted to make it from maple.

Installed the intake air deflectors. Based upon the recessed exhaust nozzles and the success of cutting thin walled parts on the scroll saw, I opted to cut the air intake bodies back and cut an intake outline for installation. The outline was not too long, but has resulted in a more 3 dimensional effect on the intakes.

A couple of more parts (gun & fuel tanks) yet to be installed along with final sanding after I remove the tang and complete the nose.

[lastvautour]

Excellent so far.

Louis

[J Luke]

Very nice, Ken! It's coming along pretty quick, I'd say.

How many models do you have in your collection?

[Model Maker]

Thanks Luke!

I have only 5 models in my collection:
 - 2 Spitfires
 - 1 P-51
 - 2 F8 Crusaders

Although I have made several others which I have given away. If you take a look at my board, you will see the various models I have worked on, several of which were created as children's toys. ie the wings and peripherals were much thicker than scale to accommodate children's play.

[J Luke]

Thanks, Ken. I have enjoyed reading the topics on your board. I was just curious if you had others that weren't included there. You do excellent work! Keep them coming!

[Model Maker]

Thanks for the encouragement Lou and Jordan!! I am certainly not a prolific builder.

Added the last details to the model: external fuel tanks, gun and the cooling air intakes. Since the pylons have shallow mortises for mounting, I opted to use slow curing epoxy glue due to it's high strength. The pylons were first glued into the fuel tanks. Once the glue was dry, they were epoxied the pylon to the wing.

Photos of completed build below.

Next - Onto the painting. As Jim recently posted, am anticipating the painting will cover up some of the minor issues which are noticeable in the unfinished state.

I'll also start working on the second model, but don't anticipate posting any photos of it's build since it should be the same methodology as this first one. I will however post progress photos related to the painting of this model.

I certainly enjoyed building this model. The challenging carving of the rear fuselage along with the installation of additional items (exhaust nozzles, intake cowls, deflectors, etc.) made the build different than my other models.

[J Luke]

Wow! That looks phan-tastic! 

[lastvautour]

Magnificent Phantom.

Louis

[Model Maker]

Started laying down sealer and primer.

- Two initial coats of BIN shellac primer to seal the pine followed by initial wet sanding using 600 grit
- Four brushed on coats of grey primer (water based alkyd primer tinted grey), followed by wet sanding using 600 grit
- Two more brushed on coats of grey primer followed by wet sanding using 600 grit followed by 1000 grit paper
- Close up of final primed surface finish.

[J Luke]

Great finish on the primer, Ken!

[lastvautour]

I echo Jordan's comments.

Louis

[Model Maker]

Had to place the build on hold for a while, but it's back on track. Underside and top side of fuselage and wings base coated. Still trying to figure out how to create the 3 colour camouflage with soft edges using the air brush and not have over spray on the colours already laid down. May wind up going with hard edges to keep things simple.

The tan looks to be somewhat too dark. Will ponder if I will apply a lighter version. - Oh the joys of mixing paint colours.

[lastvautour]

I read somewhere that you can cut out the pattern in paper and place a thin coat of silly putty to hold the paper 1/16" above the model and spray. Care must be taken around curves.

Louis

[J Luke]

It's coming along nicely, Ken!

I use sticky tack rolled into "snakes". The thicker you make the snake, the more feathered your edge will be. I cover the area with tape and then just do the edge with the sticky tack. That's what I did for my C-119 and Skyraider in the Vietnam-type camouflage. On the C-119, I flattened down the sticky tack a bit too much in places and ended up with a harder edge. On the Skyraider, I left it rounder and got a better feathered edge.

I also do that for the feathered edge between olive drab top and gray underside on my P-47, P-38, and C-47.