Gary's Fujimi 1/72 Phantom FGR.2 'Firebird'

[gweller]

Sorry about the poor photos, made them quickly with the phone. Here's one more showing the read brace that I need to trim.

[gweller]

Not much progress over the last few days, just been adjusting the fuselage to accept the Reskit exhaust pipes.

[Jim R]

Cockpit looks very good. Glad the fit hasn't thrown up too many issues. Aftermarket stuff usually needs a bit of fettling to get a decent fit. Looks like you've sorted the exhaust. Good call with the drooping flaps - looks a neat job.

[gweller]

It's funny that I started this model with the idea of building something simple at the same time as I was tackling the more complex Fine Molds F14. But it seems to have developed into a much more complex project along the way, with lots of aftermarket stuff being added as I go. Although it's an old kit it's actually very enjoyable to build as there seems to be more "modelling'' involved than in so newer kits where the majority of the work revolves around painting.

[gweller]

Wings now attached along with the inside of the air intakes and splitter plates, with no serious fit issues. Next step is to do some remedial work - a bit of filler on the end of the flaps, vertical fin by the ILS antenna, mold releases marks inside the air intakes etc. After that I can pain the inside of the air intakes and glue these in place .

Despite my best efforts, the lower pitot tube on the fin is MIA!! But as I was going to replace these anyway with brass versions for Master models, this is not too much of a loss!

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Some good progress there Gary. Those pitot tubes are always a problem.

[Richard48]

Looking great.You are starting to tempt me into grabbing one of mine off the shelf and making one.Been sooooo long since i made one.Id say late 1990s!!!!.Ive still got a box with all the Humbrol and Xtracolour enamelsi used to use.I used to handpaint mine usually.
Richard

[gweller]

Some good progress there Gary. Those pitot tubes are always a problem.

Yes! Why do manufacturers insist on molding pitot tubes/antennas etc as part of the wing or fuz? Is it easier or cheaper??

[gweller]

Looking great.You are starting to tempt me into grabbing one of mine off the shelf and making one.Been sooooo long since i made one.Id say late 1990s!!!!.Ive still got a box with all the Humbrol and Xtracolour enamelsi used to use.I used to handpaint mine usually.
Richard

Go for it Richard! I have the Fujmi FG.1 "Silver Jubilee" kit in my (smallish) stash waiting to be built some day.

[Richard48]

Snap!!.I have 2 Fg1s.One will be 43 fighting cocks and other 111 squadron.I might just grab one off the shelf next week.
Rich.

[gweller]

Snap!!.I have 2 Fg1s.One will be 43 fighting cocks and other 111 squadron.I might just grab one off the shelf next week.
Rich.

Go for it!! It would interesting to build them together. I'm away from home for a week so you have a chance to catch up. 😀😀

[gweller]

After a week on vacation, and then another few days travelling due to family commitments I have finally had some chance to work on the Phantom. Have finished of the ejection seats and the next step is to add the HUD and mask and fit the canopy. The seats are ok, but given the scale and the fact that the canopy will be closed I think they will be ok.

[gweller]

The FGR.2 kit does not include sidewinder rails, so I ''borrowed"' these from an Fujimi FG.1 kit I had in my stash. When I come around to building that kit, I'll either have to source the missing rails from somewhere (I think Aerocraft make a set of inner and outer pylons intended for the Airfix FGR.2) leave them off or fit the rocket pods. Either way that's a problem for another day! Also assembled the fuel tanks as can be seen in the photo.

[Richard48]

Hi Gary.
Good to see you back on the FGR2.It really is a pain in ass not having the winders and rails in "Firebirds " boxing.Ive got 7 of the damn things and the F4m boxing in camo.Well its a case of note to myself and read reviews before buying.I bought 5 from Kingkit for 25 each with postage.You dont see many of the later boxings where the jets are banking to the left.These are the ones with better engine nozzles and no doubt rails.Ive got the Silver jubilee Fg1 and its weird that it has rails and the later one ive got where jet is flying by a North Sea oil rig.I researched aftermarket and Hasegawa weapon sets have rails but im guessing might not fit the Fujimi kits.Ive got a Hasegawa F4E and rails are different shape.They do have winders but i think you dont get many in a set.I did find some launcher rails from " Air graphic models",They sell a set which shows an RAF FGR2.I messaged them to see how many rails are on their sets,Probably x2!!.I didnt realise Aerocraft did some Airrfix ones and it could be a plan if they fit.My wife said why have you got 7 of the same model?,Different squadrons i said.Guess i should have not bought so many hehe.
Richard

[gweller]

Thanks Richard! You can never have enough Phantoms..... well that's what I keep telling myself. Got the Fujimi FG1 and a FineMolds F-4C in my stash and will probably get the FineMolds F-4F when it comes out. And yes I think it's so dumb from Fujimi not to include the Sidewinder rails in the FGR.2 kit. I've never seen any photos of an FGR.2 fitted with the rocket pods, so what made them include these, I really don't know!