Hasegawa 1/48 scale RF-4B Phantom II "U.S.M.C."

Kit: No. PT31
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Hasegawa, imported by Dragon Models USA, 1315 John Reed Court, City of Industry, CA 91745, 626-968-0322, www.dragonmodelsusa.com
Price: $42.98
Comments: Injection-molded, 127 parts, decals
Pros: Long-awaited reconnaissance variant; most parts fit well; choice of square or round nose profiles; detailed camera bay
Cons: Thick-wing version limits selection to last batch of Marine reconnaissance Phantoms; some detail errors in instructions

The Hasegawa stable of 1/48 scale Phantoms has been around for more than 20 years, but until now, it was missing the reconnaissance versions. Hasegawa has rectified that situation with three new releases, a Japanese RF-4E, a U.S. Air Force RF-4C, and this kit for a U.S. Marines late RF-4B.

The moldings are typical Hasegawa; crisp and flash-free. Some of the sprues came from molds common to the family, with new fuselage halves, clear parts, and other details for the "recce" versions. Both the angular, so-called square-nose and round-nose profiles with detailed camera bays are provided.

This kit comes with the bulged wing roots that accommodated larger main wheels and tires. This configuration is not correct for most Marine RF-4Bs; all but the last 10 of 45 RF-4Bs had the earlier thin wing common to the U.S. Navy F-4B fighters. Hasegawa was careful to provide markings for two colorful thick-wing RF-4Bs.

There were no surprises during construction, but then I've built dozens of Phantoms.

The camera bay is fairly accurate, though mounting the cameras was tricky. I had to trim the framework for the forward- looking camera to get it to clear the fuselage bulkhead.

The directions would have you cut off the little bump on the wing over the main gear strut, but it should be there on the late RF-4Bs. Remove the raised low-light-level formation lights ("slime lights") on the fuselage and fin, and then fill and sand the engraved refueling port on the spine. Also, check references to see which afterburner nozzles should be used. Both short and long nozzles are provided. I believe the short ones are correct for this airframe, but the instructions show the later long ones.

Hasegawa's decals provide markings for two VMFP-3 birds: the green-tailed one I chose and an all-black retirement scheme. My reference photos show the green-tailed one in overall gloss light gull gray. It's a late-1970s and early-'80s scheme, but the instructions show it with the earlier gloss-white bottom.

I'm glad to see the recce birds finally added to Hasegawa's Phantom phamily. Here's hoping an earlier thin-wing version is coming.

- Larry Schramm