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Wild Weasel, SAM Killer

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history
Starting in 1965 during the Vietnam War, the US Air Force discovered that SAMs (surface-to-air-missiles) were easier to destroy on the ground than hurtling into the air at several times the speed of sound. Known as Wild Weasel, a system of specially-armed fighter bombers was developed that combined radar-detecting electronics and special radar-seeking missiles intended to take out the SAM command & control center. The goal was to "blind" the site by knocking out the radar-directors, then send in conventional fighter bombers to destroy the now more or less harmless missiles on the ground.

The Model
The signature Wild Weasel air frame was the F4-G Phantom II, and fans of the Wild Weasel can now build two late versions in 1/32nd scale thanks to an updated Revell kit that combines the previously-released F4-E kit with new sprues replicating the electronics and load-outs specific to the Wild Weasel. The kit has a good shape and goes together well, though the supplied decals are dreadful and required quite a bit of patience and loving care. Detail is typical for a Revell kit, and so I chose to enhance the build with some after-market items mentioned below.

I added GT Resin's burner cans, Wild Weasel electronics & antennas, and the F4-G cockpit set. The detailing on all three is superb, and GT Resin even now offers seamless intakes (I chose to use intake covers on my build). The only scratch-building I had to do were the grab handles for the ejection seats, Other after-market products added to the build include Master pitot tube, ram jet intake & AOA (angle of attack) indicator set, SAC metal landing gear, AMS FOD red covers, and the two F4-E PE sets from Eduard.

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About the Author

About Bill Cross (bill_c)
FROM: NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

Self-proclaimed rivet counter who gleefully builds tanks, planes and has three subs in the stash.


Comments

Willy, Six-foot peak! Hey, HEY! Looks real man, great job. I love the Phantom with the asymmetrical stores (that's a big work for all of us!) I'd love to see if in SEA camo, but ghost gray is cool. I want to see those subs! Bill B.
DEC 05, 2015 - 09:25 AM
Thanks, Bill. The SEO camo would likely be on the F4-C variant. GT Resin makes a conversion kit for that, but it's pricey and I believe a limited edition.
DEC 07, 2015 - 03:25 AM
Bill, that's one mean looking F4-G in 1/32 scale. A most impressive build. Joel
DEC 08, 2015 - 05:30 AM
Thank you, Joel. You never know with a kit how it's going to turn out.
JAN 06, 2016 - 03:43 AM