Hasegawa continues to expand their excellent F-4 series
begun over 20 years ago. The two newest offerings are PT-30, a Japanese
RF-4E and PT-31, a U. S. MARINES RF-4B. An overview of the 12 trees
of parts shows PT-31 to be extremely complete. Since this
release has both the original "chisel nose" camera fairing and the
smoothed camera fairing, almost any thick-winged RF-4 can be built using
aftermarket decals, including export versions. There are several pleasant
surprises in the box, such as delicate catapult launch hooks for U. S. Marine
aircraft !!!
An old saying states that a picture is worth a thousand
words so there's a lot that I will not have to write. With so many other
reviews of previous releases available that too will reduce the comments here.
See Modeling for an excellent review of the PT-30 kit. I have spent over a
week test-fitting parts from various kits, researching many texts and photos.
However, this may turn into a steam-of-thought essay, but I will try to keep it
as organized as possible. Cut and paste is such a wonderful feature.
I believe the two versions (PT 30 and PT 31) will differ
only in the clear parts and decals; PT-31 has an additional tree with the
U. S. style V-shaped camera window for the rotating prism camera system.
To create the RF-4B/E, Hasegawa molded a two-piece RF
fuselage featuring cockpit detail on the insides, flare compartments, 3 optional
fin caps, 2 optional camera fairings and optional position flare doors. All
external surfaces feature engraved panel lines, except the stabilators from
a previous kit. The purists and contest folks can easily scribe them if
they choose.
Both fore and aft instrument
panels are brand new for the photo recon Phantoms. Panel
Q4 for the Navy-style aft cockpit is provided. Note that it is different
than -J and -S panels. Also note, RF's do not appear to have used
HUD's. There isn't a circuit breaker panel for a USAF version.
Perhaps that will be added in a future release or is in the RF-4E kit.
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Paint and
Decal Layout
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The green-tailed, gold fox is
a beauty. I only wish Hasegawa had printed the fin markings in one decal
with the green fin base on it. Of course, that would probably have
required some rather tight registration in printing with inherent
additional cost. Optional decals in white are for 7351, the last
RF-4 built. It is a gloss black bird with a flat black anti-glare panel !!
That ought to be impressive ! And note the instructions correctly show it
using the aerodynamic camera fairing. Over-sized white decals are
provided to highlight the full color star and bar decals on the black aircraft.
One of the first things many of us will ask is, " Are the
wings the correct thin version ?" The answer is "No
!!" Bureau numbers for both versions are correct for
thick winged aircraft. The last 12 RF-4's had thick wings and the
last 3 had the more aerodynamically styled camera fairing. |
Thin tires are in the box. They would only be useful in back-dating or
kit-bashing the aircraft. Even though this is a
collection of old and newly tooled trees, the thin wings of the old F-4B
are not easily useable to create a thin-winged version as the forward
Sparrow bays do not align properly and the F-4B wing panels lines are
raised. I am creating a resin thin-wing conversion using that will
be compatible with the balance of this kit. It should be on the
market before too long.
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Click on
image below to see larger image
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Wings
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The artist (T. Wada) did his research well. A photo in an old Koku-Fan
shows the red intake lip is correctly rendered for 7347. This Phantom
crashed off San Clemente so it may be at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Wada's
beautiful box art shows RF-4B "3105" in echelon position. It
would be a thin wing version, unless up-graded in SURE or SLEP. Another
photo somewhere shows 3105 with the grey rudder as shown in box art.
Hasegawa maintains their reputation for accuracy and quality with
this kit. Although a couple of areas need attention. Note
in Step 5, both Marine planes are shown as having the Air
Force 2-light nose gear door. Correct parts for both the
door (G10) and the clear lights (Y6) are in the kit. |
This
is correct for carrier landings as the Marines would be required to
do. The photo at the top of the instruction sheet shows the correct
nose door in place.
The
inside surfaces of the intakes have mold release pin marks and
tooling scratches that are unsightly. Most modelers will want to
wet-sand them smooth before assembly. Recces could carry in-board
pylons so you may choose to mount them, either empty or with appropriate
stores. Some RF's carried various munitions and stores. There
were even variants with late F-4E slatted wings !! |
Click on
image below to see larger image
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Intakes |
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Semi-submerged
Sparrow fuselage bays are normal for Phantoms. Hasegawa has supplied
separate covers and insets to conceal them per RF configuration. The prototype
RF-4C (and perhaps some others) had the aft bays open, so creative modelers may
scout up photos to document their unique model. Most often seen is the
EROS anti-collision pod.
If you choose
to kit-bash the late -E slatted wing into this fuselage, the forward Sparrow
covers will conceal any slight mis-match in missile bays. Beware, you then have
possible mis-matching parts remaining, so you may not be able to complete two
models -- an expensive decision for kit-bashers to consider.
In Step 3,
Parts D32 and D33 (variable intake ramps) are "hollow" and should be
filled flush with the open outside edge. A simple method is to trace the
outline on a piece of sheet stock, scissor it out and carefully file it down to
a good fit and glue them in. Use a # 11 blade to open a hole for the
placement pin. It will be concealed when in position.
The camera
bay, cameras and mounting brackets and braces are nicely detailed. In
fact, the pieces allow the camera bay to be displayed open. Or a
diorama could be created of aircraft with personnel servicing aircraft ... lots
of opportunities here for modelers to be creative. Training missions were
often flown without cameras in place so they could be omitted and your model
still be accurate, but the detail is so nice, it would be a shame not to use
these parts. The nose gear well is splendidly detailed.
Two seated pilot figures are provided which allows in-flight display.
Also, both short and long afterburner nozzles are included allowing the option
of back-dating the model, especially with the thin wing. RHAW intake
antennae are present. The only part that isn't included that I miss
is the single piece canopy.
Overall, this
is an outstanding model that offers so many options for modelers to allow
their creative ideas to come to life on their display shelves. I look
forward to seeing many variations on this kit on-line and in contests.
Happy modeling !!!
George
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