Airfix McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 1/72

[iggie]

All in all, an enjoyable build, apart from the gazzillion of minute stencils required, most of which did not get used! The only other issue really was the colours on the topside: as per instructions, I used Barley Grey for the fuselage and outer wings, but the required Medium Sea Grey for the inner wing sections was just too dark and didn't look right. In the end I mixed some light Grey into it for less of a contrast. It still looks a bit stark, but it'll have to do!















I have three million stencils going spare if anyone wants them...

[KellerModeller]

Nice looking Phantom, congratulations on that result
Regarding:

I have three million stencils going spare if anyone wants them...

.....thanks, but no thanks!

[DavidWomby]

Very, very nice, Jim.

You can keep the stencils. I usually apply very few of them myself too.

David

[JamesPerrin]

I’m glad you managed to enjoy the build, the fussy engineering I found a constant niggle.

[PaulBradley]

Nice build, Jim!

[skypirate]

Nicely finished, Jim!
You know I am a big Phantom phan, but I have been scared off this kit!
Those wing slats look decidedly odd when pictured from the front quarters. Optical illusion?

Cheers,

David

[wokka]

Nicely done, see what you mean about the grey.

[Miko]

Brilliant! Turned out very nicely, 56 sqn is a good choice for a theme too flying most the main RAF fighter marks

I used Barley Grey for the fuselage and outer wings, but the required Medium Sea Grey for the inner wing sections was just too dark and didn't look right. In the end I mixed some light Grey into it for less of a contrast. It still looks a bit stark, but it'll have to do!

I'm not convinced Barley Grey is always accurately reproduced, by Humbrol at least, it's said to be Light aircraft Grey with 5% Night Black added.
It's difficult to find a photo of a service aircraft that shows such a stark contrast in colour

I have three million stencils going spare if anyone wants them...

Can you list them individually so I can choose a couple of hundred thousand I might like! Ha!

Miko (my last Phantom was 1/72 Matchbox kit which was 'Treble One' Squadron. . . I think?)

[Mayhem65]

Beautiful work Iggie -- always loved the look of the Phantom despite it having the nickname of 'Double Ugly'...

[ShaunW]

Nice one, Jim, I really like the look of that. The last Airfix Phantom I built was the old tool kit and I've yet to try the new version.

[TeeELL]

But there is no TESS fitted Jim!

[Migrant]

That looks really nice Jim, are those the kit decals? Interesting comments about the two darker greys, I'm thinking of doing my Fine Molds F-4J in 74 Sq markings which is that same grey scheme so I'll need to choose the paints carefully.

[TeeELL]

I will throw in my ‘two-penneth’, as someone who flew RAF F4Ms painted in that scheme. The 3 ‘shades of grey’ used were really quite similar - although exactly why the inboard sections of the main planes had a slightly darker hue I know not. I am inclined to wonder if it was meant to confound an opposing pilot by somehow blending light and shade …… or maybe paint shops just ran out of Barley Grey???

[iggie]

Thanks for the nice comments folks

I'm not convinced Barley Grey is always accurately reproduced, by Humbrol at least, it's said to be Light aircraft Grey with 5% Night Black added.
It's difficult to find a photo of a service aircraft that shows such a stark contrast in colour

I used Hataka blueline acrylics for both greys, but the contrast looked far too great, hence the lightened homebrew; even the instructions looked less stark... :???

But there is no TESS fitted Jim!

I had to look that up, but your are indeed right. Interestingly, although the assembly instructions do not show the periscope and there does not seem to be one present in the parts supplied, the painting instructions do show it!

That looks really nice Jim, are those the kit decals? Interesting comments about the two darker greys, I'm thinking of doing my Fine Molds F-4J in 74 Sq markings which is that same grey scheme so I'll need to choose the paints carefully.

They are indeed the kit decals Mike, and very well behaved they were too

[PGAS]

Great work on the Phantom Jim. That is one tough looking aircraft. Nice figures in the cockpit as well.