1:72 McDonnell F-4EJ Phantom Kai

The real subject

The McDonnell F-4 Phantom II is a twin-engine two-seat heavy fighter recognizable at a glance by the upturned outer wing panels and the downward-angled horizontal tail. The designation F-4EJ Kai belongs to the Japanese upgraded version, operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Even in the small 1:72 scale the Phantom's airframe stays intricate and offers plenty of places where a fine metal part comes into its own.

What the set contains

This is a set of photo-etched metal parts, as its classification among photo-etched accessories shows. The elements are etched into thin sheet, held in a carrier fret and separated from it before use. The thickness of the sheet is closer to reality than the corresponding plastic part, which has to be considerably thicker for production reasons. The exact contents of the fret and the position of the parts are given in the enclosed instructions.

• photo-etched metal parts in 1:72
• the real subject: the F-4EJ Kai, the Japanese version of the Phantom II
• the elements are separated from a carrier fret
• the folds are made along the scored lines

Building and painting tips

In 1:72 the parts are genuinely small, so work over a surface with a raised edge and use tweezers with fine points. Separate the elements with a sharp blade rather than by twisting. Cyanoacrylate glue applied in a tiny amount, ideally on the tip of a wire, serves to bond them. Before painting, wash and degrease the metal and go over it with a thin undercoat.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who already have experience of fine work and want to take a Phantom model beyond the level of the contents of the box. The kit itself, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.