1:32 USAF F-4E "Vietnam War"

F-4E Phantom II in the Vietnam War USAF release (1:32, Academy)

Large injection-molded plastic kit of the American McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bomber in an impressive 1:32 scale from Academy. The release focuses on US Air Force (USAF) aircraft from the Vietnam War period. The kit offers finely engraved panel lines and riveting, a richly detailed cockpit and landing gear, and the large scale lets the wealth of detail show. It is a large model suited to more experienced builders.

The real subject

The F-4 Phantom II was a two-seat, twin-engine supersonic fighter-bomber and one of the most important combat aircraft of the Cold War. The F-4E version brought a fixed 20 mm cannon in the nose and an improved radar, which removed the weakness of the earlier gunless versions. Over Vietnam the Phantom flew everything from air combat to ground attack and became a symbol of the US Air Force of that era.

Building and painting tips

Cut the parts from the sprues and glue them with liquid modeling cement for plastic. Finish and paint the large two-seat cockpit and the landing gear before closing the fuselage, and mask the large canopy carefully while spraying. Apply primer and paints with an airbrush, put the decals on a gloss coat and pick out the panel lines with a wash. Vietnam-era aircraft suit the typical three-tone camouflage and pronounced service wear; assemble the external stores to match the configuration you choose.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of American Cold War combat hardware
• Anyone interested in USAF Phantoms of the Vietnam period
• Modelers who will appreciate the large 1:32 scale and rich detail
• More advanced builders with room for a large model

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.