SPA Modeler

I've been looking at various decal sets for aircrafts - mainly Commemorative Editions and special markings I never seen before which I find them cool, interesting and some very colorful. Syhart decals and Model Maker websites have awesome decal sets. Most are found in Scott's Model Workshop on eBay and I have done business with him a couple times. Lots of unusual stuff and fair prices especially when combining orders.

Scott's Model Workshop eBay Online Store: http://stores.ebay.com/SCOTTS-MODEL-WOR ... 7675.l2563

The decal set I've taken a big interest in is a US Navy Squadron - VX-30 "Bloodhounds" for a QF-4S Phantom II. (I've found several other decal sets I'm looking to buy too )

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/R ... 04/00.shtm

After a little bit of researching and the gist I get, the 'Q' is billed as a 'drone' of sorts. Not sure what exactly what that means but anyway...

Since I like to research which type of aircraft type I need to get in a kit - be it a F-4A, E, F, J, N, S,or whatever, I'm confused which Phantom I need to buy. I read one review in Cybermodeler Online talks a little about the history of the QF-4S Phantom by Hasegawa (kit is out of production) and bottom line is the QF-4S is basically a F-4J Phantom. However, as I read further, the fuselage is a F-4J and the wings is F-4E. I thought to myself; "Huh.....

This is the review where I found it is here:

https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits ... 9762.shtml

My question is, which F-4 Phantom kit do I need to get to use the decals? Is there really that much of a difference between a F-4E wings and F-4J wings? Maybe I'm overthinking this too much. I don't know. Any advice and insight will be greatly appreciated.

There is one particular Phantom kit I've looked into that fits the need for the decals is the Academy kit:

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/346942- ... 12305-f-4j

I am sorry not having an answer, I am no F-4 modeller. But my first step, maybe, would be to contact the decal´s manufacturer here. I am confident they´ll help you.

Hmm, where to start?

Okay, you are "sort of" right when you say an F-4S is an F-4J. That is because every F-4S used to be an F-4J before it got rebuilt into an F-4S.

Here's what you need to build an F-4S. You need an F-4J type of airframe,,,,in other words, short nose, thick wing, big engines, slotted Stabilator.

Then you need a kit that has the ECM "lumps" on the intakes, and "slime lights" either molded in or as decals. (3 slime light strips per side)

Then a slatted wing,,,,,most kits come with the F-4E wing fence for the outer wings, so we have to change those to the F-4S size. (a difference in the fence length, that's all)

The QF-4S is indeed a Drone conversion,,,,,but, sometimes they still had seats in the back, and sometimes that was empty. And that part changed at any time the planned mission changed,,,,,it was fairly easy and quick to change back and forth. (and "the Grunt's time" did NOT factor into how easy it was or wasn't, lol)

I don't think I forgot anything at 4 am,,,,,but it is possible, if so, someone else will chime in.

PS,,,,,1/72 is the "easy way", we just have to buy an Italeri/Tamiya F-4S kit, build it OOB and add the decals.

Thank you, Rex. That was helpful and I learned a few things. I appreciate your insight and knowledge on the differences.

I was able to locate a 1/72 scale F-4S Phantom kits in a couple of online stores. Hasegawa did produce 1/48 scale F-4S Phantom kits at one time but they're out of production. Although Amazon offered one for around $75. So I'll see what I decide to do whether to do it in 1/72 scale or jump on it and spend the money on a hard to find 1/48 scale F-4S kit instead. Decisions, decisions, decisions....

Zoukei Mura just came out with a 1/48 F4 S. It's around$75. I built the J and it was a great kit. Fit and finish like a Tamiya, maybe even a bit better. You can download the construction manual on their website http://www.zoukeimura.co.jp/en/ . If you are in the United States it can be pre ordered(will be released Jul 26) from their American distributor http://volksusastore.com/webstores/scale/index.php . I got my F4 J through them as a pre order and at that time it was postage free. Don't know if that is still true.

Oh man, this is hard to make the decision. It's free postage for pre-order on the F-4S Phantom that's coming out in July.

If you decide to go with the ZM F 4S you will not be disappointed. The kit quality is outstanding and the fit is as close to perfect as I've ever encountered. Here are a couple of shots of my ZM F 4J

Gorgeous bird!

One other thing about the ZM F 4S. It can be configured as if it were on a catapault ready for launch. Includes extended front gear and positions control surfaces as they would be at launch. I may have to do another F 4.

We have been blesssed with some great new tool F-4 kits lately in 1/48. Academy with the F-4B/N, then the C/D, ZM with the J and soon S, and Airfix has the Spey engined Brit version coming soon as well. I wonder if a new gun nose or recon nose is too far away also.