Just an astounding achievement, Tamiya are like the ancient Zen master that sits stodgily in the corner sipping tea while all the cool kids strut around doing air kicks... then bam, they pull a move that sends them all flying in a cloud of dust and debris... then quietly sit down again... 'that's how you model grasshopper...'....
Out of the many years I've been watching your Channel this is the happiest I've ever heard you being. That alone is testament to this kit! It looks amazing and I'm very much looking forward to watching you build it. Hopefully I'll get my own kit soon. Thanks!
Now that’s how a kit review should be done. My kit it in the mail, and will be looking forward to build along so I can get some great tips and ideas. PS thanks for fucking great content 😁
"I'm not even going to glue that...there's no point". Love it. Tamiya are truly amazing. I'm building a Tamiya Sd.kfz at the moment from the 1970's. There are some parts that I haven't glued. No need. Amazing company, great review. Thanks.
Reminds me of the old Scale Aircraft Modeler magazine from the 90s! Great review, and I love the format of dry fitting. I don’t build 48th anymore, and I primarily build props, but I think I’ll pick this one up. I also like a modeler who’s not afraid to throw some foul language around!
I see the other versions in the future is so CLEARLY indicated by the unique parts being segregated in a way that is still seemless. AWESOME! Thank you for you note on the other channel.
I really think you need to do this right next time. We should have an image of the box top while you ramble on for about 10 min. Sometimes your hand(s) can tap it for emphasis and such. Then you struggle to open it and sort through the bags and what not. 40 min later, video ends. Great video! The only way to do a useful kit review.
Hi buddy cool review really like the way you do a test build on the phantom looks awesome definitely going to buy one. looking forward to the full build videos on the phantom. thank you for sharing mate. cheers Gary from the UK 🇬🇧
One should really build one modern Tamiya kit every year to remind ourselves what the golden standard is - whilst having the best instructions at hand! Tamiya really knows how to do documentation. Albeit being an armour modeller I can admit that I'm really impressed with this kit and as soon as it becomes available at my fav hobby store I will probably grab it without any hesitation. I'd prefer a 1/32 version but when things fit as well as it does here I can probably ignore the frustration that sometimes comes with this scale and get it done...?! I built both a J-35 Draken and a JA-37 Viggen some years ago in 1/48 and a F-4B Phantom II would fit in nicely on that shelf since they're from the same-ish era. Thanks for the proper "unboxing" review! 🤘😃🤘
I'd love a G as well, but I wouldn't even hope for it to be honest. I'd say a C/D and a J are locks for sure. If we're lucky, we'll get an early F-4E and an EJ. But I'd be shocked if Tamiya ventures into the late slat-winged variants. Fortunately, Zoukei Mura's going there, and their F-4s are still pretty good.
I love when you do Tamiya kits the praise you give tamiya is awesome! And I think its well deserved. I get a kick outa your videos. I watch them all. I haven't built an air model in years. I have spent the last 20 some years building 1/12 scale F1 cars mostly Tamiya kits. Keep the good vids and don't stop the SWEARING! ha ha.
Walked into my local hobby shop today and saw the kit sitting there right in the entrance display area. I just wanted some paints, I don’t need that kind of temptation!
Your excitement is contagious. So far I’ve bought 2 Tamiya kits because of it. The P-38 and this F-4. Maybe Tamiya should kick you a bonus for increased sales lol.
@@DoogsModels It would be awesome if you had a say. After reading your open letter to Tamiya, I would absolutely buy a couple versions of the F-4 you suggested in it.
Great video. This particular F-4 variant is not on my fav list, but now I am rethinking that. Most appealing would be the RN version or an F-4 J. But it looks to be a most wonderful kit and maybe it should be bought just to reward excellence?
I'm a builder, you're a painter. I was more interested in the Trumpeter P-38 build before you dropped that to go over to the dark side. Still love your builds. You patience with the micro-painting process amazes me. For my part, I've completely conquered some very tough kits like the Pend-Oreille 1/48th Sunderland and PBM-Mariner and the 1/32 Special Hobby P-39.
Amazing review Matt! It had me slither off the couch from time to time and I had to reset myself a couple of times. The moment you fleetingly add a part and it immediately becomes part of the overall assembly with only some yellow tape indicating an addition: breathtaking! I received my kit yesterday, moved all the aftermarket decals and stuff from my previously appraised Academy kit over to the Tamiya box and have to wait.......for me to move into my new place before commencing this build. What have you done??? I want to clip parts! I want to glue inserts! I want to feel/hear parts snap together! But I have to wait.... The agony!!! Great test fit review though! Keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to you putting some paint on this beauty!
Great review, I love the format! I love Tamiya jets, but, I am also a Sci Fi fan. The fit you have shown is very similar to Bandai perfect grade kits. Most bits don't even need glue.
Well you've sold me on this kit, I shall be getting one very soon. I just finished building the P-38 and it was an amazing experience so if this is even better I look fwd to it very much.
I just got mine today. It does have decals for the instrument panels. They look pretty good. That's an area I'm usually very critical of. The ejection seats look pretty good too. This is by far the best F4 in 1/48 in my humble opinion.
Well I thought I was done with the F4...looks like another one will go on the list of must have builds! I just hope Tamiya re-tools and re-issues the 1/32 F4 C/D. Great review thanks Matt
I have to say that Tamiya have surpassed themselves. A highly detailed model and it looks like a complete pleasure to build. The funny thing is that when you see and make a well engineered Tamiya ket, the solutions they adopt (like the folding wings) are often completely obvious solutions. It'll be interesting how many different versions they'll eventually come out with. I expect none off them will be a UK operated version. My only problem with Tamiya is that their aircraft line stopped developing sometime in the1980s with F16 and is far too narrowly focussed on US aircraft. Even if access to the most modern aircraft is restricted that's no excuse for not modelling any Russian aircraft in 1/48th scale (let alone French or British).
my only complaint about this kit is the same one I have with their 1/48 tomcats...no dropped flaps and slats ( leading edge )..other than that great kit.
true on the flaps, though the flaperons are droppable. my understanding is the F-4B did not have leading edge slats....didn't arrive until later Phantom variants
@@jcchow66 F-4Bs didn't have slats but did have full leading edge flaps equipped with a Boundary Layer Control sistem (hot air taken from the engine compressor and blowed over the wing to improve lift at low speeds). Late F-4Bs, though, had the inboard leading edge of the main wings locked to improve low-speed handling by creating a smoother airflow to the stabilators. Too bad Tamiya didn't include the dropped leading edge flaps & over-extended nose gear options... that would have been the PERFECT Phantom, IMHO.🙂
I haven't watched one of your vids in a while and I must admit I feel like one of my wild frat brothers got married and settled down. That said, I agree, this format is much better than an in-box review.
Great review! Thanks for sharing Your thoughts. I wonder if Tamiya’s Tomcat is anyhow similar in terms of fit and details. Maybe You could compare Tamiya and AMK kits sometime in the future?🤔
Tamiya's Tomcat is great, but the Phantom is better. In terms of fit and overall detail, the F-14 is about as good as they come, but it does fall down on some tight-focus detail, like the lack of a throttle in the cockpit, and the lackluster gearbay detail (which the Phantom significantly improves upon). Sadly, after seeing what others have had to put up with, I have zero interest in touching the AMK Tomcat.
@@DoogsModels Thanks for Your answer. I have same feelings towards AMK Tomcat. And it looks like Tamiya Tomcat should take less hustle to build it. Unless G.W.H jump in with their own long time promised Tomcat in 1/48. Unfortunately they went quiet on that one. When are You planing to start Phantom? Can't wait to see the build!
Really hope they do a long nose variant as well for all the later wild weasels, german phantoms etc. There would be no damn reason for owning any hasegawa phantom kit at all
Just finished watching the tape up. I thought you were slightly exaggerating the other day when you said the fit was better than the P 38...l think you're absolutely correct. Those little things like the arresting hook, the folding wings, the exhaust cans, the tail (that was one of many OMG moments for me), etc. Mine should be here tomorrow...l'll probably tackle the UPS person to get the package. My only concerns are the decals...but l saw Furball already has a "B" set out. Did you see anything with the decals that may be an issue? Otherwise, thanks Matt for the review 👍
The decals look exactly like the P-38 decals, so probably the same thick carrier film problems Tamiya always has. I got the Furball sheet yesterday and was thrilled to see they've got the split insignias for the folded wings.
Guess l will be making another order with Sprue Brothers this weekend. Any idea when Lion Gate will be going online? I did a search for them a few days ago and they appear to have a good variety of stuff. I always like having various retailers to trade with.
I doubt they will, but my goodness is love to see the one true F4 version, the Spey engined F4K in Royal Navy colours. Nonetheless, I have one on pre-order.
Furball just released a masking set for this kit. It has can-o-pee, wheel and walkway masks made of vinyl for $6.99. Not a bad price because Eduard's Kabuki will probably set you back at least $10 just for the can-o-pee. Furball also released a few decal sets for this too. The small problem with the Tamiya F-4B, like their F-14A, is that the kit doesn't have the extra fin caps and chin pods for the other variants of F-4B Phantoms. There's someone doing one fin cap already. I expect others like Quickboost to follow in the next few months. If you're jonesing to make a variant, and have an Academy kit, then the parts you need are in that box, but will they fit Tamiya's F-4B?
Flying Leathernecks already had some new fin caps available. I'd love to see them bring out Sidewinder rails fitted to the Tamiya kit, as well as some TERs and MERs. My wish list is long!
@@DoogsModels Yes, I will be buying the fin caps. Can't wait for the aftermarket enhancements. I have two Tamiya F-4Bs arriving tomorrow. One will be kind-of out of the box build. The other will get pimped out! Too bad it will be 2121 before Tamiya pops out any F-4C/D/J/S. Thanks for doing the test fit. Tamiya really know their shit and it shines in this kit.
We got a sample kit earlier this week @hearnshobbies #hearnshobbies here in Melbourne. It looks amazeballs - the detail and the dry fit as you point out Matt is next level. Even for Tamiya.
I have seen you use several paints for the bare metal areas, which are you going to use on this one? I'm trying to order stuff to build along. I planned alclad chrome or polished aluminum but if you have something better
Impressive engineering, indeed! It really does seem like only Tamiya manages to pull off a kit where they're not including the odd piece of great engineering, the whole thing is impressively engineered.
Where can I find these glass files? Just getting back into modeling after 24yrs in the military. My dumbass served 20yrs in Special Operations community. So I have been out of the loop. Glass files what brand and where can I get some? Please
No wing bulges on F4B..they were on the thick wing F4J..there are two different thickness of the metal strips around the bottom half of the fuselage around the engines..thick for the F4B..thin for the others..i think builders will have to be very careful with all the options on this kit
Thanks for the peek, man, but… Call me when the 1:32 version comes out, Tamiya. You got me on the P-38 because it was, well, a P-38. It was a beautiful kit, but even though the engineering and fit were marvelous, ultimately the fussy little size of the work reminded me why I swore off 1:48. 1:32, Tamiya, more1:32. I’ll wait. I’m not going to contribute to your delinquent behavior by buying this one.
I hear ya. I certainly prefer 1/32 for the size (well - with something like a Phantom the lines blur - 1/32 jets are BIG), but there are a lot of interesting things happening in 1/48 that just aren't in 1/32 right now. And there's something to be said for finishing a kit in 2-3 months instead of 6-10.
@@DoogsModels That’s a fact, unfortunately. The international sales just must not be there for 1:32. Edit: But I still think they could sell 1:32 Hellcats faster than their injection molding machines could squeeze them out.
@@danl.909 I still stand by my pet theory that they got burned relatively bad by the Mosquito. It topped a lot of 1/32 wish lists, but when it came out...I've only ever seen a handful built. Can't help but wonder what would have been if they'd stuck to single engines. And I think they had a fair amount of resources tied up developing those kits. 1/48 slowed to a trickle between 2010 and the Tomcat in 2017.
@@DoogsModels Yeah, the Mossie was a miss on their part. You’re right, another American superkit WW2 single would have scored big. Hellcat, Tamiya! Jeez! Why is this so hard to figure out? Even a Razorback P-47 would have been a lock hit.
I do not understand, why this Time Tamiya is showing the outboard Slat in extended Position. If the F-4 is taxiing, always the inboard Slat is in extended Position, not the outboard one.
I want to know why this kit costs nearly $100. That's insane for a Tamiya kit that's new and not an out-of-production collector's item. I've been looking forward to this release for a year, but I'm not going to spend $100 on a 1/48th scale model kit, no matter how amazing it is. What a bummer.
Well, the Zoukei F-4s are around $75. And Tamiya's own F-14s are right around $100. So $100 isn't way outside the range. And costs of everything - the plastic for the kit, global shipping costs - have gone up by astronomical percentages.
With this k it and their P-38 has Tamiya raised the bar for others to try and compete with, or do you think the big companies are just gonna stick their heads in the sand?
Ok couple questions. Those glass files. Where and like how much? Kool on Rudy and Danielle at Lionheart. Been dealing with Rudy for years. Pop me an IM on Messenger if you like.
