The Kit

Refer to Part 1 for the base construction of this fine model kit.

Aftemarket Accessories Used

Several months ago I had the opportunity to review the New Ware exhaust mask set that I had originally planned to use on a Zoukei Mura F-4S Phantom sometime later. However with the opportunity to build and review the "J" version I decided now is the time to utilize this set. Since the Zoukei Mura Phantom have had their fair share of reviews I will focus my efforts on describing the use of the New Ware exhaust masks. See my earlier review.

Exhaust Painting

The Zoukei Mura exhaust are finely molded with nice detail and therefore an aftermarket replacement would not be required. First I searched the Internet to find a color image of a Phanton exhaust to determine the effect I was after.

I primed the exhaust nozzles inside and out with glossy black acrylic paint. The interior surfaces were painted and weathered. I masked the interior with Tamiya tape to protect the finish. The exterior was first given a base color of Taniya XF-84 Dark Iron.

Leaving the interior masking in place I applied the New Ware masking strips onto the exhausts. There are 72 masking strips included, and the two nozzles require only 32 masks (16 each), leaving 40 masking strips unused for another F-4. Using a pair of needle-nose tweezers I lifted each mask from the backer sheet and applied to the exterior of the exhausts, The individual masks have square-cut ends, both the wide and narrow ends, while the areas of the exhausts to be masked are triangular in shape. I used the tips of the tweezers to burnish the mask into place to fill in the narrow ends.

Once the masks were placed and burnished down I sprayed a coat of Alclad Dark Aluminum over each exhaust. The masks were then removed. I used a cotton Q-tip to lightly buff the Alclad painted surfaces. The nozzles were then given a clear flat seal coat.

Conclusion

The New Ware exhaust masks made a potentially challenging job of masking the exhaust nozzles a whole lot easier. Rather than attempt to cut the masking tape into the appropriately size and shape of masks. the precut masks do the job and save the time and frustration.

I wish to thank Volks Zoukei Mura, and IPMS USA for the opportunity to build and review this kit with the New Ware mask set. The kit and masking set are both highly recommended.