If you happen to be a Phantom “Phanatic” like me, this is a most welcome addition to the seemingly never ending array of products engineered to enhance and accurize the large scale Tamiya F-4 kits. These conversion kits come protectively packaged with the option of using either the F-4C/D or the F-4J as a starting point. (If you intend to purchase a kit for purposes of this exercise, I’d recommend you but the F-4J, in that there are fewer parts involved, but either will work nicely.

All of these conversion kits are flawlessly cast (no surprise there) grey resin with nary a pin hole or warpage issue which is exactly what I’ve come to expect from this manufacturer. On to the kits themselves:

This is what will be required regardless of which kit you begin with. It includes, as the images show, a thinned replacement for the kit upper-wing and includes the small bulges common to most F-4Bs and all N models. (Only the early F-4Bs didn’t have these, and two minutes with a sanding stick will eliminate them should you choose). Also included are replacement wheel well pieces, thin Navy style wheels and tires, corrected ECM fairings, lower nose IR pod, 2 styles of vertical fin tips and all the necessary pieces to complete the flattening of the bottom wings, including flat gear doors, speed brakes and insert parts for the lower wing to complete the task. Also included as a free bonus (since it’s not specifically part of the F-4B/N conversion but rather applies to ALL Tamiya F-4s) there are replacement vent panels for the aft fuselage section to correct the inaccuracies in the kit. A complete and concise set of detailed instructions, including color photos, is also offered.

This is the set required (in addition to the basic set) if you choose to begin with the F-4C/D kit. It includes a replacement set of slotted stabilators used on all later F-4B’s and all N’s. The rest of the parts contained here will convert the Air Force birds to a USN configuration with the proper nose gear doors, parapac housing, catapult hooks, ECM fairings, refueling probe and ordnance pylons and clear cast resin nose wheel door lights. Full instructions are also present.

This is the required set if you start with the Tamiya F-4J kit. It also requires the basic airframe set (CEC 32180). Included are a replacement radome and lower fairing, rear fuselage extensions, and a set of unslotted stabilators for early F-4B variants. These will require just minor surgery to install. Again, detailed instructions included.

These are absolutely outstanding and no matter which version you choose to build should be considered mandatory. Also included as a bonus are the small vent panels forward of the exhausts that replace the inaccurate panels found on the kit. For curiosity's sake, I test fitted both these panels and the exhausts to the kit and they are perfect!

As stated, should you desire to accurize your Tamiya F-4, these kits are the ticket. If you’re interested in a more detailed explanation of these, click on www.meteorprod.com and select the new feature “Dave’s Blog”. You’ll find it full of info not only about these sets, but a sneak peek at what’s in the works at Meteor Productions. As an example, it’s a known fact that F-4Bs were the most colorful of all the Phantoms produced, and Cutting Edge has new decals in the works. Also rumored is a complete cockpit, additional ordnance, early style drop tanks and for me, most importantly, a set of wing folds. (The Tamiya kit as produced has an outer wing dihedral built into it of 25 degrees. This is double what it should be (12.5 degrees) and to correct this requires MAJOR surgery, not to mention rescribing the detail lost during the fix. Not my favorite task!) An alternative answer is to fold the outer wing panels eliminating the problem, as well as several deleted expletives.

In summation, at least in my opinion, these are excellent offerings from Cutting Edge and well worth having to produce an accurate F-4B or N. (It should be noted here that these kits are NOT compatible for use with any of the Revell F-4 kits.) I intend to follow this with a full conversion build article to appear on the IPMS/USA website as work progresses.

Again, not only a big “Thank You” to Dave Klaus of Meteor Productions for the review samples, but for his continued interest in this, the greatest hobby on the planet, and what he has done for IPMS/USA. We need more supporters like Dave.

Most highly recommended.