F-4E/F Phantom II
Cockpit Set

Black Box

Reviewed by Brett Green

Black Box has adapted their family of 1/48 scale Phantom cockpits to suit the F-4E or Luftwaffe F-4F in this recent release.

The cockpit tub is the centrepiece of this valuable detail set. The detail is greatly superior to Hasegawa's kit part, with cast-on switches, hoses and structural detail populating this high-visibility chunk of resin.

The seats are also very nice. It is impressive to see that Black Box have moulded two different seats with different drape on the harnesses. Separate overhead ejection pull handles will need to be fabricated (from fusewire or similar) for the top of the seats.

The main instrument panel is cast under the forward coaming - very clever stuff! Alternate back seat instruments are supplied for either the F-4E or the Luftwaffe F-4F version.

The remainder of the set comprises sidewalls, rudder pedals, boxes, control columns, throttle and other minor details.

The casting quality is very high, but care will be required when removing some of the pieces from their casting blocks.

Instructions take the form of a numbered parts list and two exploded-view construction drawings. A third diagram with painting suggestions for the seat is also included.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Black Box's cockpit replacement for Hasegawa's 1/48 scale F-4E and F-4F is well worthwhile. The resin parts are a great improvement over the kit equivalents, and the large cockpit will reward the effort in preparation, assembly and painting.

I also bought Black Box's 1/48 scale F-4J cockpit set (Item #48054) which demonstrates the same high standard of detail and casting.

Recommended.

Thanks to Mike Reeves from Jetset Models for the review sample.

Black Box products are available online from Jetset Models.
Click here to visit Jetset Models website

Review Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 21 June, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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