Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/32 F-4B/N Airframe conversion set 

product # CEC32180 for Tamiya F-4C/D or F-4J kit

$84.99 from Meteor Productions

Review by Steve Bamford on July 18 2007

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This is the new resin F-4B, F-4N & F-110A Airframe Basic Conversion Set for the Tamiya kit from Cutting Edge ModelworksThis set also REQUIRES either CEC32185 OR CEC32187 from Cutting Edge Modelworks.  This is the basic set required to create an accurate F-4B or F-4N from EITHER the Tamiya F-4C/D kit OR the Tamiya F-4J kit. This set will NOT work with ANY of the Revell F-4 kits! The 27 parts in this set include the following parts related to the wings: 

  • flat right upper inboard wing with MLG mounting point stiffener bulges (bulges are easy to remove for earlier versions before the bulges were installed);

  • right MLG bay front wall; 

  • right MLG bay aft wall; 

  • right lower wing triangular flat insert; right lower wing flat insert abaft of the MLG bay; right flat speed brake; right flat MLG inner door; 

  • right flat MLG outer door; 

  • flat left upper inboard wing with MLG mounting point stiffener bulges (bulges are easy to remove for earlier versions before the bulges were installed); 

  • left MLG bay front wall; 

  • left MLG bay aft wall; 

  • left lower wing triangular flat insert; 

  • left lower wing flat insert abaft of the MLG bay; 

  • left flat speed brake; 

  • left flat MLG inner door; 

  • left flat MLG inner door; 

  • thin main wheel & nose wheel (2 each). 

The fuselage conversion parts include: 

  • fin cap with AN/APR-32 RHAW leading and AN/APR-25/27 trailing edge antennas; 

  • plain fin cap without RHAW antenna; 

  • late under-nose IR seeker with AN/APR-32 (horn) antenna; 

  • AN/APS-126 Shoulder ECM antennas (L/R) for F-4N; 

  • corrected rear fuselage vents above nozzles (L/R). Note that Superdetailed engine nozzles are available separately.

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This is a complicated and sophisticated conversion set and should not be attempted casual modellers.  You will need to cut and grind your kit to prepare it for these resin parts so be prepared.  

This set has an added bonus of including the rear fuselage vents above the exhaust nozzles.  These vents are not accurate on the Tamiya kit, so Cutting Edge Modelworks has included them.  You will need to cut out the existing vents along panel lines and the new resin parts will drop right into place.

The instructions include info about the general airframe configuration of the F-4B and F-4N regarding the randome, IR sensor, refueling probe, cockpit including differences between the USAF and USN Phantoms.  The instructions also guide you through the mid-life upgrade and what was done during these upgrades including such items as the stabilators, drooped flaps and a major landing gear upgrade.  The stronger landing gear required a fairing on top of the wing to accomodate the strengthened attachment point for the landing gear.  These fairings are included in this set.  

This resin conversion set also includes the "Flat" Inboard Wings Tops.  These wings are direct replacements for the kit parts.  You will also be modifying the lower wing area.  Resin parts are included for each of these modifications and you'll be basically going through each modification one by one following the photos and text in the 4 pages of instructions. 

This set includes the ECM alternatives that are covered in the instructions and you'll need to know which IR sensor your particular plane was fitted with.  AN-ALQ-126 and AN/APR-32 antennas are also included in this set if your aircraft was fitted with those.  If your modelling a jet without the RHAW, then a resin plain fin cap is included in this set.

Changing the wings will require using the resin main gear bay bulkheads instead of the kit parts.  The resin wheels/tires are an improvement over the kit parts but you might need to trim the landing gear axle to get them to fit.

The instructions are 4 pages long and include photos and very detailed text, but certain sections will require an advanced knowledge of the Phantom to figure out all the various differences between the Phantoms and which antennas etc are applicable to your particular aircraft and where all the resin goodies from this set will go on your model or if your model should have them at all.  The instructions will appear lacking in photos and diagrams for the novice Phantom builder.

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Resin casting is of a very high quality and all the detail is very well done with no air bubbles.  This new resin set from Cutting Edge Modelworks will permit modelers to create an accurate F-4B or F-4N from the big Tamiya Phantom kit.

Steve

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford