Legend Productions | F-4E Cockpit Detail Set in 1/32nd Scale

Reviewed by Mark Proulx

Modellers have been waiting for some time now for a cockpit set to add to their Revell F-4E, as the model lacks detail in many areas; Legend Productions has answered the request and released a cockpit detail set for the Revell F-4E in 1/32nd scale. I must admit that I have never heard of this Korean based firm until the advent of this set. Now, lets have a closer look at what Legends Productions have supplied the modeller with.

Components

The resin parts are cast in a light cream resin. The major parts breakdown into:

1. Single Cockpit Tub
2. Two Martin Baker Seats
3. Forward Instrument Panel
4. Aft Instrument Panel
5. Two Forward Sidewalls
6. Two Aft Sidewalls

These pieces come wrapped in two plastic bags enclosed within a small box, similar to packaging supplied by Verlinden. On the box is a photograph of the painted detail set.

Instructions

No instructions are included with this set. This shouldn't pose a problem to the experienced modeller. However, some confusion could still result in the placement of the sidewalls. At the very least, Legends should have engraved the sidewalls as to their location. Additional reference material will be essential, especially for specific painting instructions.

Cockpit Tub

The cockpit tub is cast as one large single component. It would appear to be a simple matter to replace the Revell pieces, as I believe the kit tub was used a basis for this set. Legends have supplied the tub with slots in the side to assist the modeller with proper alignment using the existing tabs in the fuselage. Some large air bubbles can be seen buried within the casting, however, they should disappear with a coat of paint.

Similar to Verlinden's F-4C/D cockpit set reviewed here earlier, Legends have simply used the Revell side console detail. Some minor details have been added or deleted. The consoles had to be narrowed by necessity allowing for the new sidewall detail, which is lacking in the Revell model. However, I did discover some discrepancies between Revell and Legend's consoles. In Revell's kit, the instructions clearly identify the consoles to be used for the F-4E, leaving the remainder in the kit for other versions. Legend's cockpit set is sold as a F-4E, yet the console differs from Revell's. It would appear that the wrong panel was used for the forward R/H console.

Legends cast a very nicely detailed rear bulkhead, which is an improvement over the Revell cockpit tub. Effective dry brushing in this are should really make the surface details apparent.

Many of the existing kits smaller details such as control sticks and throttles are to be used to complete the cockpit.

Sidewalls

Legends supply you with four new cockpit sidewalls, as these items are sadly overlooked in the Revell kit. All the sidewalls have details finely moulded into the surface giving the cockpit the very "busy" look of today's jet fighters. An effective painting technique should really make the sidewalls a highlight of this kit. Canopy locking mechanisms, wiring and various linkages are all cast.

The aft sidewalls appear to closely resemble photos found in various publications. The F-4 aft cockpits have prominent sidewall mounted circuit breaker panels and they are moulded into the new items.

I found the forward sidewalls were missing some of the vertical stringers that are apparent in the Phantom. However, due to the slant of the installed items this probably will not be visible.

Instrument Panels

As with the side consoles, Legends use the kit instrument panels. The forward panel has a nice glare shield moulding cast onto it, necessitating the removal of the item from Revell's fuselage. (Note: in the photographs, the panel is broken; this is how I received it.) A large air bubble on the edge of the glare shield could prove difficult to fix. Some of the newer avionics that have been incorporated into the Phantom have been included on the upper areas of the panel.

The aft panel comes in two pieces, and here again, Legends used the kits single panel. The instrument casings are cast onto the rear surface of the upper panel. For those who like more detail, adding more wire will effectively clutter up this area. The cockpit tub has the lower portion of the panel cast onto it. The large radar hood has been overlooked and it is very noticeable in the rear cockpit of the F-4. The modeller will need to scratch build one. Small air bubbles found in the upper corner of the panel could be difficult to repair.

Seats

Legends supply the modeller with two identical Martin Baker Mk7 ejection seats. They are superbly cast with all harnesses moulded on the seat. Pull rings are cast separately and they are very fine and could be broken if not handled carefully. Small amounts of resin flash are on these items but it should pose no difficulty in cleaning up these components.

When compared to the photos of the seats in the Verlinden book, the resin seats appear to be very similar.

I will leave it up to the modeller to determine if the purchase price of this new set is justified. The only real new items are the seats, rear bulkheads, sidewalls and some areas of the panels. I think that Legends Productions have provided a good starting point, however, many modellers would want to add lots of additional details.