1980`s RAF GB - F-4 Phantom

[tc2324]

Here is my entry for the GB, although I won`t be starting this until Christmas time/New Year.



It`s one or the other, so if someone is planning on doing a `J` bird, then I`ll go for the FGR.2 or vise versa.

[ArabJazzie]

As you know, i did have the J in my plans but but im heading down a different route and may just do 2 builds, one of which is a Leuchars Phantom and a Hawk from a unit with Leuchars connections.
Arabest,
Geoff.

[tc2324]

I think it`s about time I got the `J` up and running.



As you can see I have the excellent Aeroguide for reference and these line of publications really are a type of bible in most ways for building kits.

I`m going to finish this in the scheme the aircraft were delivered in which was the very weird greenish/blue/grey as highlighted by the aircraft on the left of following picture...,



Now this come about because the people at the the Naval Air Rework Facility in San Diego really didn`t have a clue to what the US equivalent of Barley Grey or medium sea grey was. So using Federal Standard colours, the J`s left looking a little `sea sick`. One theory is that this green/blue hue was the result of the paint being thinly applied over the deep yellow primer.

Anyways, it matters not and quite frankly I don`t think anyone will be able to answer the `why` part now. The question I have, without looking myself is, can anyone suggest a colour paint that might match?

Off the top of my head, Tamiya AS-25 Dark Ghost Grey is a similar colour, but not exactly perfect.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Get it started, mate, so's we can all join in the fun

Best regards

Patrick

[mickfgr2]

Hi tc from a microscale decal sheet (48-243)i have in my stash they give fs 36314 - flint grey, upper surfaces, fs 36270-medium sea grey,inner upper wing surfaces & fs 36440 -light aircraft grey,all under surfaces. The instruction sheet states these are the colours they were delivered in from NAS North Island ca.
HTH Mick

[tc2324]

Hi tc from a microscale decal sheet (48-243)i have in my stash they give fs 36314 - flint grey, upper surfaces, fs 36270-medium sea grey,inner upper wing surfaces & fs 36440 -light aircraft grey,all under surfaces. The instruction sheet states these are the colours they were delivered in from NAS North Island ca.
HTH Mick

Hi Mick, cheers for that info.

I have seen that decal sheet myself and even though it lists the FS colours the Americans said they used, it`s still debatable if they are actually correct.

The FS-36314 is the problem. It is quite simply unlike any samples of it seen anywhere else on any other aircraft.

It may be that they used the FS-1 series and not the FS-3 they claimed, due to the `glossy` look the F-4`s had after emerging from the paint shop.

I`ve seen someone use a 50:50 mix of Xtracolor Light Blue and Humbrol Barley Grey to get a pretty good result so that maybe the answer?

[tc2324]

So after browsing the web for a couple of days, I had a couple of colours in mind for the `hybrid` blue/green/grey but as with all pictures on the net, it`s hard to get a true picture of the actual colour.

Then yesterday I was passing my local model shop. It mainly deals with RC models but has a few plastic modelling bits as well, including paint. So I popped in and there it was, a tin of Revell 46 light blue. It looked right to the eye, so I bought it to try it out.

It comes across as a kind of duck egg blue which is pretty much how 74`s ground crew described the colour when the J`s first arrived. As they spent a fair bit of time with the jets, it`s hard to argue with what they saw.

Here`s the results, the first in artificial light, the second on natural light.

Is it close enough?

[EGDR]

Wow you guys are really speeding along, I haven't even picked my kit for the GB yet! Thankfully I'm a quick builder

Great work though TC, keep it coming!

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

As an interested amateur I would say that looks pretty close to what I can remember

Best regards

Paddyboy

[steve149c]

Looking good TC - just don't forget that when the Klear goes on it will darken the blue - so you might want to lighten with a couple of drops of white or light grey added.

Otherwise it is looking great

Stee

[tc2324]

A couple of bad quality update iPhone shots before I left for the office today.

I`ll leave it to you to judge if I`ve reasonably captured the blue/green hue.

[tc2324]

Decals start to go on....,



I saw these two pictures within my stack of bumf on 74 Sqn and they highlight the colour I wanted to get very well. (My OCD is also satisfied)





The first one was taken at Akortiri during an APC with the F-4J being very green. The second one is a close up and a flash looks like it was used, but again the weird green/blue hue shows up pretty well.

[aviationcafe]

To me it looks spot on the colour! Looking forward to seeing this one finished!

[steve149c]

You even got the right serial and tail code on the model as in the photo!

[tc2324]

Thanks guys.

Another dodgy iPhone update shot. The main build is over, just need to get the u/c, pylons and stores in place.

As usual for me, this is finished in a `worn/well used` look.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

No words; you have done it again, buddy

She is going to be a winner

Very best regards

Patrick

[steve149c]

Great work TC!

[tc2324]

Here`s my finished entry for the GB.

So, what you have to remember when viewing the pictures is that I wasn`t trying to get the exact colour that the J`s arrived in. Only god knows that and possibly one or two Americans who sprayed the things if they are still around?

So this was the picture that I wanted to duplicate. The weird green/blue hue on the left compared to the standard RAF `grey` on the right.



Followed by my `well worn` effort.....,











.... with a final shot of it in the display cabinet with it`s predecessor.

[steve149c]

Very nice TC, looks great! Colour is spot on

[paddyboy]

Hi Steve

'Weird' does not even cover it

Has that colour been used on any other 'craft

Think you have done it real justice, mate

Best regards

Patrick