F-4B slatted tailplane

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Enzo Matrix - 20 Mar 2006 21:31 GMT

I'm just gearing up for a major - and I mean *major* - Phantom phrenzy. I'm
going to be using the Hasegawa 1/72 kits.

I have plans for three F-4Js, but there are currently none in the Hasegawa
range. Instead, I shall use the F-4C/D which is due to be re-released
shortly. The main problem with this kit is that it has the non-slatted
tailplane, while the F-4J had the slatted type. It's not *too* much of a
problem, as I intend to build two F-4Fs, which had the non-slatted tail. I
can make a straight swap between the kits.

Anyway, here's my question... ("Finally!" I hear you all sigh...)

F-4Bs were originally fitted with a non-slatted tail, but were retro-fitted
with the slatted type. When did the retro-fit programme start? As far as I
am aware the slatted tail was introduced in 1966 with the F-4J. None of the
references that I have seen give any dates for the change. Am I correct in
saying that prior to '66 all F-4Bs had a non-slatted tail?

I have plans for a VF-84 jet as seen in 1965 and so I'm hoping to be able to
swap another tailplane.

Signature

Enzo

I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

Reply to this Message

Al Superczynski - 20 Mar 2006 21:51 GMT

>F-4Bs were originally fitted with a non-slatted tail, but were retro-fitted
>with the slatted type. When did the retro-fit programme start?

228 F-4Bs were fitted with the slatted stabilizers during upgrade
to F-4N configuration. The first F-4N flew on June 4, 1972. The first
renovated F-4Ns joined the fleet in February of 1973.

>Am I correct in saying that prior to '66 all F-4Bs had a non-slatted tail?

Yes.

Signature

Al Superczynski, MFE, IPMS/USA #3795, continuous since 1968

My "From" address is munged - use 'modeleral (at) swbell (dot) net' to respond via email.

Check out my want lists and eBay listings at "Al's Place":
http://www.network54.com/realm/modeleral/
"Build what YOU like, the way YOU want to,
and the critics will flame you every time."

Reply to this Message

Enzo Matrix - 20 Mar 2006 22:06 GMT

>> F-4Bs were originally fitted with a non-slatted tail, but were
>> retro-fitted with the slatted type. When did the retro-fit programme
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Yes.

Woohoo! Thanks very much, Al!

Signature

Enzo

I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

Reply to this Message

Ingo Degenhardt - 23 Mar 2006 18:16 GMT

>I'm just gearing up for a major - and I mean *major* - Phantom phrenzy. I'm
>going to be using the Hasegawa 1/72 kits.

*g* I finally got over my personal Phantom frenzy...well, almost...
21 1/48 F-4s and three 1/32 are on the shelfes here...I still have
plans for a lot more but now I am able to see that there are other
aircraft too I can build...
question has already been answered...ok
Ingo

*time is an enemy*

Reply to this Message

Enzo Matrix - 23 Mar 2006 20:26 GMT

>> I'm just gearing up for a major - and I mean *major* - Phantom
>> phrenzy. I'm going to be using the Hasegawa 1/72 kits.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> plans for a lot more but now I am able to see that there are other
> aircraft too I can build...

Well... my Phantom Phrenzy is currently planned as follows:

F-4B VF-51 MiG Killer
F-4N VF-154
F-4J VF-96 Showtime 100
F-4G 561FS, OSW 1996
F-4E 57FIS
F-4C 57FIS
RF-4B VMCJ-1
F-4S VMA-333
F-4J VF-102, 1972
F-4D "Smash Four" Ritchie's first kill
F-4F JBG-36, 1977
F-4F JG74
F-4EJ 302 Sqn JASDF, 1976
F-4E 469TFS Korat AFB 1972
RF-4C 11TRS
F-4B VF-84, 1965
F-4J VF-84, 1970
F-4J(UK) 74 Sqn RAF

I have the decals ready and available for all of these. As you can see, I
like to build variations on a theme, so there are some showing different
markings from the same squadrons. I'm just waiting for someone to release a
decent F-4K/M in 1/72 and there will be at least another 8 British aircraft.

Also, bear in mind that I'm doing the same sort of thing with Spitfires,
Hunters and F-16s! Add to that my model railway obsession, and I'm set for
probably the next five years!!!

Signature

Enzo

I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

Reply to this Message

Al Superczynski - 23 Mar 2006 22:11 GMT

>I'm just waiting for someone to release a decent F-4K/M in 1/72...

The Fujimi Spey Phantoms are very good but a bit difficult to
find right now.

Signature

Reply to this Message

Rob van Riel - 24 Mar 2006 11:13 GMT

> The Fujimi Spey Phantoms are very good but a bit difficult to
> find right now.

11 of them on eBay right now (not counting one that is priced an
outrageous $49).

Rob

Reply to this Message

Enzo Matrix - 24 Mar 2006 11:18 GMT

>> The Fujimi Spey Phantoms are very good but a bit difficult to
>> find right now.
>
> 11 of them on eBay right now (not counting one that is priced an
> outrageous $49).

Hannants are advertising a limited edition Alcock and Browne FGR.2 for
twenty quid.

(Should that be "Hannants *are* advertising..." or "Hannants *is*
advertising..."???)

Signature

Enzo

I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

Reply to this Message

Al Superczynski - 25 Mar 2006 02:19 GMT

>Hannants are advertising a limited edition Alcock and Browne FGR.2 for
>twenty quid.

Ouch!

>(Should that be "Hannants *are* advertising..." or "Hannants *is*
>advertising..."???)

Depends on whether you're using American or British English...
;-p

Signature

Reply to this Message

Al Superczynski - 25 Mar 2006 02:20 GMT

>> The Fujimi Spey Phantoms are very good but a bit difficult to
>> find right now.
>
>11 of them on eBay right now (not counting one that is priced an
>outrageous $49).

$49??? Wow...

Signature

Reply to this Message

Norm Filer - 24 Mar 2006 00:58 GMT

Would echo Al's comments on the Fujimi line of British birds. They are much
better than the other Fujimi Phantoms in that they got the dogtooth on the
leading edge of the wing right this time.

An interesting selection. Surprised that there are not more of the fabulous
Japanese Anniversary/Commemorative birds on that list. Hasegawa has done at
least two or three dozen very colorful releases of those birds.

Norm

Reply to this Message

Enzo Matrix - 24 Mar 2006 09:41 GMT

> Would echo Al's comments on the Fujimi line of British birds. They
> are much better than the other Fujimi Phantoms in that they got the
> dogtooth on the leading edge of the wing right this time.

Thanks for the heads up on the Fujimi kits, Al and Norm. I'll keep an eye
open for them. I have a Fujimi F-4F and that is quite nice.

> An interesting selection. Surprised that there are not more of the
> fabulous Japanese Anniversary/Commemorative birds on that list.
> Hasegawa has done at least two or three dozen very colorful releases
> of those birds.

To be honest, I'm not really keen on anniversary schemes. I'd much rather
build a bog standard line jet. My recollection of squadron life is a hard
day-to-day grind with very little time for frivolities such as fancy
painting (although having said that, I was the one who designed and painted
IV(AC) Sqn RAF's 75th Anniversary Harrier GR.3 - XV738, the first real
Harrier ever built).

Signature

Enzo

I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

Reply to this Message

Mad-Modeller - 24 Mar 2006 03:56 GMT

Back in the '70s I went nutso with Airfix's Phantom kit and built as
many as I could get. At that time they were available here in MPC boxes
at $1.50.

They eventually were dispersed and many were scheduled for replacement
with better kits, very few of which were ever started. I tend to do
things in waves and the second wave never generated for the Phantom.

Bill Banaszak, MFE Sr.

Reply to this Message

Model Forum / General / Models / March 2006

F-4B slatted tailplane