Tamiya 1/72 F4D Skyray

TAMIYA 1:72 F4D SKYRAY
'In The Box Review'

Reviewer: Norm Filer (rec.models.scale)
A fully built review of this kit is on SMAKR - see links below

A friend hauled this one home from Japan for me. Have had it less than a hour so can't tell you how it fits yet. Considering the label on the box (Tamiya) I am not very concerned about the fit.

I have mostly ignored the 1/48th kit 'cuz I don't build in that scale and looking at it very long would have made my buy one. Thus I can't do much of a comparison.

Markings are for VF (AW)3, VMF(AW)114 and VMF (AW)115. They appear to be typical Tamiya, a bit thick, but good register and opaque. No stenciling, but does have the wingwalks.

There is no provision for folding wings like it's big brother has. Top and bottom division along the wing leading and trailing edge, two part vertical tail and left and right nose halves, split vertically. Few other parts here and there and you are looking at paint.

Interior looks real good. Seat is left and right halves that include the rails, with bucket and footrest part separate. Instrument panel is raised detail and also has a decal if that is the way you want to do it. The area behind the seat looks great. Can't comment on accuracy of that area, but they sure made in convincing. Inside of the gear doors is nicely detailed as well.

The thingies under wingies are a real plus. There probably are things that this bird hauled around that are not included but they will be rather obscure items. Two tanks, two rocket pods, the Navpack, and a couple of sidewinders.

Canopy and windscreen are separate parts and very thin.

Only initial disappointment is that the boat tail area on either side of the exhaust is molded as part of the upper/lower wing, fuselage. No provision to make it positionable. Not impossible to change, but would have been nice separate.

After fondling this thing for a little while I think it is time to play taps over that old Airfix kit. The brass and resin guys will have difficulty with this one, not much to add. Now the decal troops on the other hand should have a ball. Next step for me is to see if the old Micro/Super Scale stuff will fit and wait for the (hopefully forthcoming) Cutting Edge or AeroMaster decals.

Bottom line is BUY, BUY, BUY!!! Been too long since Tamiya -San has put a kit on my 1/72nd shelf. This one won't stay in the box long.

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