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Part 2: Construction Begins... |
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As construction begins, the cockpit, as previously mentioned, is spartan. Particularly the seats! They are nine parts each, but still manage to look very naked without belts and such. (easy fix) Since my intentions are to build this strictly by the “Out of the Box” Rules, I’ll cobble up some paper belts and Remove Before Flight tags, which always dress things up considerably. Photo film is furnished for the instrument panels, but the instrument panel holes are so tiny and so deep that the gauges almost disappear when assembled. Further, the assembly instructions show the canopies as closed, and based on what’s here, probably not a bad idea. We’ll see when we get to that point. If the aftermarket people aren’t paying attention, they should be. This kit finds itself in desperate need in this area. Images show the cockpit tub with the seats dropped in, but I chose to hold them out until the last moment possible for easier masking etc. When it came time to join the fuselage halves, one discovers that there is considerable flimsiness down the aft center section, particularly on the top. Both top and bottom were treated as though a vacuform kit were being built, with the stiffener strips which helped considerably. The great news is that the reconnaissance pod spans almost the entire center of the bottom fuselage, hiding a really nasty seam. No such luck on top…fill, sand, fill, sand, fill, paint, sand, paint, sand… you get the picture. I am going to jump ahead here, because if you’re in the process of building this as you read the review, know this… Those aft engine support brackets located inside each fuselage half are a problem, in that if you use them, there is NO WAY you’ll be able to attach the outer burner cans so they fit concentrically!!! Much easier to cut these off before the fuselage halves are glued together. Further, my circle of spies inform me that the outer burner cans are incorrect, unless you’re building a replica of the Pima County Display Bird. As I understand it, the RA5-C’s used the same engines and burner cans as an F-4E. Not a big deal, but I’ll check to see how easy this is to fix. Had I taken time to read the excellent data sheet provided by Victory Models to accompany their decals, I would have found this subject addressed in paragraph 3. I truly must at this point salute the folks at Victory Productions for the job extremely well done! Wow! 9 choices of markings along with a short history on each aircraft, well worth adding to your collection. Anyway, with the fuselage halves “coaxed” together (*operative word) we are ready to proceed. And yes… the instructions call for installation of the nose gear before halves are joined. Believe it!!! Next: Wings & things. |
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