1:32 F-4D Phantom II (for Tamiya kit)

1:32 F-4D Phantom II — 3D instrument panels on decal paper

The Red Fox Studio set in 1:32 scale replaces the flat or only crudely suggested instrument panels in the cockpit of the model with a colored 3D textured print. The carrier is decal paper, so the panel is soaked off in water and slid onto the base in exactly the same way as a decal. There is no gluing, no sanding and no laborious painting of individual dials and gauges. The set is cut for the Tamiya kit.

What is special about this cockpit

The Phantom has two stations one behind the other and each looks different. The pilot sits in front at a classic flight panel full of round analog gauges, while behind him the weapon systems officer has a station built around a large scope and control boxes — flight instruments play only a supporting role there. The cockpit is deep and lined with extensive side consoles and panels, which in 1:32 scale make up most of what is really visible once the canopy is closed. It is precisely the side panels that tend to be rendered worst in plastic, and a color print gains the most on them.

Before the panel's turn comes

With a two-seat cockpit the order of work decides everything. Both tubs have to be finished, painted and perfectly dry before the fuselage halves are joined — after that you can no longer reach the rear station. Level the base under the panel: sand the molded raised detail of the dials smooth, degrease the area and let the paint cure completely so that the decal softener does not dissolve it. Then soak the print briefly, position it with a damp brush and draw the surplus water off with the edge of a paper tissue.

Who the set is for

• modelers building a large two-seat machine who do not want to paint two different panels with a brush
• builds with open canopies, where both cockpits are visible
• those who want the result of an accessory without working with resin and photo-etched parts
• more experienced beginners — application is decal work, not a modeling challenge

This is an accessory for a kit, not a model of the aircraft. The kit, paints, glue and decal softener are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. Check before ordering that it matches the kit you are building.