Zoukei-Mura Inc. 1/48 F-4EJ Kai Phantom II Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) adopted a variant of the F-4E Phantom II for its primary air defense fighter, though at the time, Japan was not allowed any offensive capabilities, so their aircraft, designated F-4EJ consisted of the F-4E block 45/47 airframe that had its air refueling capability and air-to-ground weapons systems removed. The F-4EJ was initially assembled by McDonnell Douglas though the majority were subsequently built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. The aircraft entered JASDF service in 1972 and after some time in service, the aircraft's air refueling systems and conventional air-to-ground capabilities were installed. In 1984, the JASDF began a modernization program to make the F-4EJs relevant to the threats of the 1990s. The improved aircraft received the APG-66 radar along with a heads-up display, VHF/UHF radios, new IFF system, new inertial navigation system, and a new radar warning receiver system. While the JASDF considered adding slat kits that were being retrofitted to older F-4Es and the F-4S, they opted out of that modification due to cost. The improved F-4EJ, dubbed F-4EJ Kai, entered service in 1989 and is now being retired out of JASDF service, with the last examples due to retire in 2021.

A few months ago, Zoukei-Mura released their first long-nosed Phantom kit with the early-block F-4E, and has followed that release with this kit of the F-4EJ Kai as a special edition to commemorate their 10th anniversary as well as to salute the retirement of the type from JASDF service. As you would expect, the majority of parts from the F-4E release are used in this release including a number of parts that were on those parts trees, but not used. In addition, this kit has a new parts tree that provides those parts that are unique to the F-4EJ Kai. Note that this kit is not due to be released until December, though pre-orders are being accepted. As such, this kit was provided in the F-4E box with pre-production kit instructions and no decals

The kit is molded in gray styrene and presented on 14 parts trees plus one tree of clear parts. Among the features and options:

• Beautiful front and rear cockpits
• New instrument panels provided along with a HUD
• Stick, throttles and even canopy lock handles provided
• Detailed Martin Baker ejection seats (no crew restraints provided)
• Canopy can be posed in open or closed positions
• Detailed canopy frames
• One-piece canopy provided for closed option
• New radome which includes lightning arrestor strips
• Nicely detailed J79 engines
• Optional engine stand provided
• Intake ducts to the compressor faces
• Intakes include pitots
• Exhaust nozzles provided in open and closed positions
• Detailed wheel wells and landing gear
• Choice of normal or raised (take-off) nosegear strut
• Leading and trailing edge flaps can be posed up or down
• Ailerons molded separately and can be depicted in neutral (flight) or drooped (flaps down) position
• Stabilators can be posed in your choice of three positions
• Stabilator stiffeners included
• Tail hook molded separately but depicted in up/stowed position
• Speed brakes can be posed open or closed
• Ventral aux air doors can be posed open or closed
• Choice of stowable boarding ladder or larger boarding ladder (or none)

External stores include:

• 4 x AIM-7E Sparrow
• 4 x AIM-9E/J Sidewinder
• 2 x 370 gallon external tanks
• 1 x 600 gallon F-15 centerline tank
• 2 x TER
• 2 x MER

Decals are provided for at least one subject:

• F-4EJ Kai, 07-8436, Phantom Forever special scheme

Update: When we first received this kit in November, it was a pre-production example before the decals, instructions, or even box were ready. We just received the production decal sheets along with the color profile/decal placement guide so we've added the decal sheets for your review.

Given the design and details in this kit, this Zoukei-Mura F-4EJ Kai is the best kit of this subject in any scale both this and the F-4E kits are my choice for best Phantom kit in any scale (less than 1:1).

My sincere thanks to  Zoukei-Mura Inc. for this preview sample!

Here is a list of paints Zoukei-Mura identifies for use with this kit and their equivalent colors from other brands: