[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by trex0770

Fly, I'm a bit slow. what are you referencing on that site buddy? BTW, cool looking models!

I re-edited the post above yours...should see those pics now!

[kb466]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

They need to get rid of the formation strip lighting. F-4's fighting MiGs tended not to have bright lights installed broadcasting their position....

I believe that F-4D 67-0463 did have the formation strip lighting when painted up with the six mig kill stars as on the model. It may have had the fomation strip lighting at other times as well. See the attached picture.

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

I re-edited the post above yours...should see those pics now!

Gotcha! Thanks Fly.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by kb466

I believe that F-4D 67-0463 did have the formation strip lighting when painted up with the six mig kill stars as on the model. It may have had the fomation strip lighting at other times as well. See the attached picture.

You know what this got me into thinking: With all these pre-pro nitpicking that we so adamantly demand for HM to fix and what have you...It might just turn out to be all for nothing should HM decide just to glue-shut the canopies for their F-4 diecast!

Wouldn't that be quite annoying???

[Raven]

Canopy open or not, panel lines dark or light - who am I kidding...it's an F-4 and I am going to buy it. I can't help it!

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

You know what this got me into thinking: With all these pre-pro nitpicking that we so adamantly demand for HM to fix and what have you...It might just turn out to be all for nothing should HM decide just to glue-shut the canopies for their F-4 diecast!

Wouldn't that be quite annoying???

Yes it would... my guess for the hinge difference is that the canopies on the Skyhawks are a bit difficult to open, and might be getting broken or causing a customer service nightmare?

I've come close to busting the one on my 'hawk...

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Yes it would... my guess for the hinge difference is that the canopies on the Skyhawks are a bit difficult to open, and might be getting broken or causing a customer service nightmare?

I've come close to busting the one on my 'hawk...

Can't say I've had any problems with any of my 3 HM Skyhawk canopies either opening/closing or breaking....even with my stubby sausage-like fingers. IMHO, the Skyhawk canopy (hidden) hinge is the way to go for a more aesthetically pleasing model!

Then again, as Sky mentioned above, it'd be a moot point if HM decided to glue the thing shut..........

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by kb466

Yes, looking at the rear canopy "hinge", it doesn't look quite right. I am at work right now so I can't be looking up Phantom pictures, but I seem to remember that the rear canopy had two smaller "hinges". Can someone with more access to better photos of the real thing weigh in on this? If it is possible, I would suggest changing the molds in this area to more correctly reflect how the rear canopy is hinged.

We are not trying to be nit-pickers here-- we are just trying to make what is obviously a very nice model even better!

Fore and Aft Canopy "hinge" details outlined in RED.

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

Fore and Aft Canopy "hinge" details outlined in RED.

Fly, I don't disagree that the Phantom has visible hinges but, to me, the hinges would be nearly imperceivable in 1/72 scale and I'd rather have them hidden ala the Skyhawk or CW Tomcat than the one piece tab that shows in the pre-pro photos.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by trex0770

Fly, I don't disagree that the Phantom has visible hinges but, to me, the hinges would be nearly imperceivable in 1/72 scale and I'd rather have them hidden ala the Skyhawk or CW Tomcat than the one piece tab that shows in the pre-pro photos.

I concur with you, buddy! At the end of the day, no one's really gonna notice anything about those pesky hinges anyway. I posted these pics for one of our member's inquiry.