1:72 F-4J Phantom II electronic bay

What the set solves

The F-4J was a carrier fighter of the US Navy and, like every combat aircraft, it had a space in the fuselage set aside for electronic equipment. The service panels were opened during maintenance, and in photographs from the deck this look inside is often to be seen. On a kit in 1:72 scale that same place tends to be no more than a smooth surface with engraving suggested on it, and that is exactly what the set changes: it offers a bay with something to show once a panel is left open.

Building

Count on having to open the plastic panel according to the instructions, which usually means cutting or sanding part of the component away. Plan the work before you glue the fuselage halves together, because afterward you will reach the place from inside only with difficulty. Try the parts dry, cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and carefully sand the rest back. The set is not made of polystyrene, so the joints are made with super glue rather than with cement for plastic.

Painting

Paint the inside of the bay before you close it into the fuselage. A lighter base lets the detail show, a dark application in the recesses brings out the edges, and the individual boxes can be set apart with small color accents. Wash and degrease the parts before painting, otherwise the paint does not hold on the surface. Sand the edges of the open panel on the fuselage down thin, because a thick plastic edge gives the scale away faster than anything inside the bay.

Terms of supply

The package holds an accessory set. The model of the aircraft, paints, glue and decals are not included, unless stated otherwise.