1/72 Hasegawa F-4B by Drewe Manton

1/72 Hasegawa F-4B

Gallery Article by Drewe Manton

This is the Hasegawa 1/72nd that I built during late April/Early may. The model represents a VMFA-122 aircraft based at Danang in the RVN during 1967. The tailplanes included in the kit are the later slotted type retro-fitted to F-4B's and N's in the 70's, and thus had to be changed. Mine were pilfered form an ESCI F-4 kit and modified to fit the Hasegawa (the triangular re-inforcing plates need removing).

The interior had a little detail added. . seats were Neomega resin with PP Aeroparts ejection handles (they are actually MB-Mk7's whereas they should be Mk-5's at this point in the aircraft's career. . I was forced to go with the 7's due to there being no Mk-5's available for the real modeller. . . . no one will know unless I tell them. . ahhhh. . errr. . . oops!) Canopy mirrors and pilot's sight are also PP etched brass.

Click on images below to see larger images

All weapons are from Hasegawa weapons sets, with the AIM-9B's having the noses drilled out, painted silver and glazed with clear epoxy. VMFA-122 was the only unit to use three gunpods regularly in the close support role in Vietnam, and it was this that I wanted to represent.

The model is almost exclusively painted with Humbrol, with the exception of the anti-glare panel and final varnish coat which are from the Revell paint range. Decals are from Fox-One. Weathering was a mixture of forced panel lines airbrushed on after the main scheme, a medium grey oil paint wash and some freehand airbrushing. The underside should be much dirtier than it is but it's easy to go over the top I find. . . . . . . . . . restraint is better in this scale!

It took me about 3 weeks from opening the box to finishing this model. This was a good short modelling project of an impressive Phantom. . . . . . and I always loved the Hasegawa kit (I have a pile of them for other projects. . . . an Israeli F-4E(S) is likely to be next!)"

Drewe Manton