Cutting Edge 1/32
F-4B/N Airframe Basic Conversion Set

Cutting Edge has stepped up to the plate with another series of interesting conversion sets - all with the sole purpose of transforming either the Tamiya 1/32 F-4C/D or Tamiya 1/32 F-4J kit into your choice of an F-4B or F-4N Phantom II. I was mildly puzzled when I saw the Cutting Edge 1/32 F-4B/C/D/ E/F/G/J/N Seamless Intakes as I thought it odd that there were no kits or conversions for the F-4B nor F-4N yet on the market. 'Yet' was the key word.

The conversion involves two conversion sets out of these three:

• CEC32180 (this set) is common to both Tamiya kits
• CEC32185 provides all of the parts necessary to transform the Tamiya F-4C/D into the Navy F-4B/N.
• CEC32187 provides those parts for the Tamiya F-4J to backdate the airframe into the F-4B/N

Of course, if you're going to all of the time and effort to create the F-4B or F-4N, you're going to want these:

• CEC32183 seamless intakes
• CEC32183 J79 short nozzles

This set is cast in gray resin and provides all of the parts that are common whether you're starting with the Tamiya F-4J or F-4C/D. This set is not set up for the Tamiya F-4E nor was it designed for the Revell 1/32 Phantom II kits. Among the parts included in this airframe basic set include:

• Upper sections of inboard wings sans the bulged wheel wells
• Replacement wheels with the mains being the narrower type
• Replacement bulkheads inside the wheel wells to fit without the bulge
• Replacement sections around the lower wing panels main wheel wells
• Replacement gear doors
• Replacement speed brakes
• F-4B and F-4N fin caps
• F-4N chin fairing
• F-4N intake trunk antennas

This set must be combined with one of the other two sets listed above to complete the conversion, but you're probably going to want the seamless intake trunks while you're messing with the conversion. If you're starting with the F-4C/D kit, you already have the shorter afterburner nozzles used on the F-4B/N. If you're starting with the F-4J, Cutting Edge will be releasing the shorter nozzles very soon. In fact, if you're starting with the F-4C/D, you might want to consider the detailed resin nozzles as well!

Definitely recommended!

My sincere thanks to Meteor Productions for this review sample!