F4D-1 Skyray supersonic fighter/interceptor -- Plastic Model Airplane Kit -- 1/72 Scale -- #60741

This is a typical tamiya kit. Pretty much falls together and no fit issues. This kit is a good weekend build. Heavy sprue connections on the wing leading edges makes sanding a little tricky. No option for an open canopy which is a shame since the cockpit detail is very nice. The intakes and the red warning decals around the intakes are a little tricky but you can get it all to fit with a little patience. Careful with the instructions, Step 2 shows putting part A6 in backwards. The decals are some of the best I've ever used out of the box. There is an error in the description section. There is no seated pilot, and the ordinance does not include rocket pods. Kit comes with 2 drop tanks, 2 generic type bombs and 1 nav pac. Great buy for $12.

This is an excellent kit all around. Fit of the parts is nearly perfect, with only a tiny amount of filler required. My only fit issue was that the excellent, multi-part ejection seat is too tall to properly close the canopy. This is a pretty minor gripe, since the cockpit is so detailed that you won't want to build it closed. There are molded switches, dials, and buttons on the sidewalls and front console, along with a nice control column. A decal is also provided for the instrument panel, if you would rather use that than paint the dials. The ejection seat has launch rails, release handles, headrest, blast curtain, and seat cushion molded in multiple pieces. The only thing you need to add to make a competition-worthy cockpit is a seat harness. The kit includes a full load of weapons: two rocket packs, two early-model Sidewinder missiles, two large drop tanks, and a NAVPAC, which is an equipment pod which resembles a small drop tank. The decals are superb-clearly printed, colorful, and very durable, they can stand up to being moved repeatedly, and even folded and unfolded. Three aircraft in the standard Gull Grey over white scheme are represented, including the very colorful markings on the box art. Be warned however-the box art plane takes quite a bit of patience in the decalling stage, but the results are totally worth it.

This was a great build. Very easy and everything fit beautifully. Because everything just seem to be perfect as I got deeper in the build I found that what I had started on Friday after work was a great finished product on Sunday afternoon. The cockpit has a lot of detail and the decals are flawless and line up perfectly.

The Douglas F4D-1 Skyray was the primary fleet defense interceptor for the U.S. Navy & Marines until the advent of the McDonnell F4 Phantom in the early 1960's. If there was ever a beauty contest for jet fighters, the Skyray would likely be the winner! But it was more than just a pretty face because it was very fast and would have been lethal as well, had it ever encountered a hostile enemy. I was looking for a fast and easy kit to build and this Tamiya Skyray was definitely it. Tamiya kits, in general, are among the best in all categories, whether aircraft, armor, ships, or autos, and this kit is right in there. All fits, scale fidelity, details, and decals are top notch with absolutely no negatives. I finished my Skyray with Testors gloss Gull Gray, lightened with 20% Flat White to get a scale gloss finish on the top portions of the model. I thoroughly enjoyed this build from start to finish and highly recommend this kit for all modelers.