1/72 scale F-4 phantom canopy masks

chrisonord · March 12, 2026, 07:35:35 AM

I am going to have to start using paint masks on the canopies of my aircraft, and because I have several different makers/ marks of F-4's I was wondering if I could get away with using the same type of paint mask for all versions. There is a lot of them out there and in quite a different price range too. I used to use tamiya tape to make my own, but I have been struggling with the stuff of late. Cheers.

kerick · March 12, 2026, 08:39:17 PM

The old shaky hand syndrome? I feel your pain. I'll be interested to see what you find out.

chrisonord · March 12, 2026, 11:05:48 PM

Quote from: kerick on March 12, 2026, 08:39:17 PMThe old shaky hand syndrome? I feel your pain. I'll be interested to see what you find out.

All the masks, in theory should be the same, as all the canopies in real life are the same. But model companies thought different. The Fujimi and the Hasegawa phantoms are almost identical, until you get to the canopy.

PR19_Kit · March 13, 2026, 02:54:15 AM

Quote from: chrisonord on March 12, 2026, 11:05:48 PMThe Fujimi and the Hasegawa phantoms are almost identical, until you get to the canopy.

Early Hasegawa jets seemed to have a sizing issue with their canopies. Their first F-104G had a canopy that was almost wide enough for a side by side two seater!

chrisonord · March 13, 2026, 03:03:55 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on March 13, 2026, 02:54:15 AM
Quote from: chrisonord on March 12, 2026, 11:05:48 PMThe Fujimi and the Hasegawa phantoms are almost identical, until you get to the canopy.

Early Hasegawa jets seemed to have a sizing issue with their canopies. Their first F-104G had a canopy that was almost wide enough for a side by side two seater!

I have an early hasegawa F-104 in the stash too, it was bought on a whim, not a clue what to do with it, as I am not really a fan of the starfighter.

kerick · March 13, 2026, 04:19:20 AM

Quote from: chrisonord on March 13, 2026, 03:03:55 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on March 13, 2026, 02:54:15 AM
Quote from: chrisonord on March 12, 2026, 11:05:48 PMThe Fujimi and the Hasegawa phantoms are almost identical, until you get to the canopy.

Early Hasegawa jets seemed to have a sizing issue with their canopies. Their first F-104G had a canopy that was almost wide enough for a side by side two seater!
I have an early hasegawa F-104 in the stash too, it was bought on a whim, not a clue what to do with it, as I am not really a fan of the starfighter.

The fuselage makes a great 50s B movie spaceship!

chrisonord · March 13, 2026, 04:23:47 AM

Quote from: kerick on March 13, 2026, 04:19:20 AM
Quote from: chrisonord on March 13, 2026, 03:03:55 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on March 13, 2026, 02:54:15 AM
Quote from: chrisonord on March 12, 2026, 11:05:48 PMThe Fujimi and the Hasegawa phantoms are almost identical, until you get to the canopy.

Early Hasegawa jets seemed to have a sizing issue with their canopies. Their first F-104G had a canopy that was almost wide enough for a side by side two seater!
I have an early hasegawa F-104 in the stash too, it was bought on a whim, not a clue what to do with it, as I am not really a fan of the starfighter.

The fuselage makes a great 50s B movie spaceship!

Now there's a thought.