1:96 McDonnell F-4E/F Phantom II

The real subject

The McDonnell F-4 Phantom II is one of the best-known combat aircraft of the second half of the twentieth century. It was a two-seater with a crew of a pilot and a weapon systems officer, and it was powered by a pair of turbojet engines. Its unmistakable shape comes from the upturned wingtips and the downward-angled horizontal tail surfaces. The E version received an internal cannon that the older versions lacked, while the F version was intended for West Germany.

What the kit contains

A plastic model of the aircraft in 1:96 scale to be assembled and painted. At this small scale the finished model comes out at roughly twenty centimeters in length, so it fits even into a small display case. The number of parts and the choice of color schemes are given by the manufacturer in the instructions.

Building and painting tips

A small scale forgives less than it would seem: the seams on the fuselage are clearly visible on the finished model, because you look at a small surface from close up. Fill the joints, sand them with fine paper and restore the surface detail after sanding. Apply the paint in thin coats so that it does not clog the fine lines. Look for contrast in the shade rather than in the strength of the weathering; lines that are too dark and a heavy wash break a model at a small scale up optically. The landing gear legs are tiny, so glue them only after painting.

• 1:96 scale
• a plastic kit of a two-seat combat aircraft
• the finished model measures roughly twenty centimeters
• the model is supplied unassembled and unpainted
• the contents of the package and the choice of color schemes are given in the manufacturer's instructions

Terms of supply

Paints, glue and tools are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.