Capt. Lance Sijan tribute Build "Unbroken will"

[Boxster]

Hello All, I am taking on this build to commemorate a local hero from where I live. I am not sure if very many people are aware of Capt. Lance Sijan but I thought I would give a little insight on his story and build as close replica of his F-4C Phantom that he flew in Vietnam as I can. I will include some reference to his life story as well as pictures that I have gathered. It’s funny, I have lived in Milwaukee for 15 years now and only recently was made aware of this fantastic story. I was introduced to this great local hero through a co-worker when we were talking about planes and model building. The co-worker stated that he would like to build a replica of Sijan’s plane and kindly donated the kit for my entry in this SIG. He stated when I get it finished he would like to give it back to the 128th refueling wing here in Milwaukee as he was stationed there and as you will see in the pics below, the Replica F-4 is currently on display at this location.

I won’t go into his details to much as I feel there the links I provide will give a better description of him far better than I can, but I will be updating on the build as much as I can. Thanks for looking at this post and I hope you enjoy it.

Here is some information and links to Sijan’s story. If you have the time I would suggest looking into this fantastic survival and courageous story of a true American hero and please keep or Veterans in your memories and prayers.

Capt. Lance Peter Sijan was the first Air Force Academy graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor. On Nov. 9, 1967, then-Lt. Sijan ejected from his stricken F-4 (the flight commander, Lt. Col. John Armstrong, was killed in the explosion) over Laos and managed to avoid capture for 45 days.
This is all the more remarkable considering the injuries Sijan sustained on impact-a broken leg, a skull fracture, and a badly mangled right hand.



The Man:



The story:

"Into the mouth of the cat"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I1hft2lNzs
The Lance Sijan story web page.
http://www.lancesijan.com/lances-story/
"My name is Lane P Sijan"
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/au-24/meurer.pdf
Book link: "Into the mouth of the cat"



The Plane:




The Build:



So there you go guys, my Build. I look forward to getting started just as soon as I finish this post. I may add or scratch build along the way and hope this is Ok by the rules. I would also like for any and all feed back to this build and any encouragement that you can give to keep me on track and motivated. Thanks to ISM for a great community and hope to have gained many friends in the process of this adventure.

[Vleugelmoer]

Wow, what a cool project and fitting tribute to the man behind the story.

I do see a nose job in the future for this build, or are you going to keep it an E instead of a C version F-4?

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul J (The Other One)

[Twokidsnosleep]

Wow, this is most impressive
Didn't have time to read all of that, but LOVE the kit, resin and PE you have shaking here wow
Will paruse the story later

[Boxster]

Wow, what a cool project and fitting tribute to the man behind the story.

I do see a nose job in the future for this build, or are you going to keep it an E instead of a C version F-4?

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul J (The Other One)

Thanks Paul, yea gonna be intense but kinda promised my co-worker I would do it for him.
I know this may not be the best kit to start with given it is an E but that's what he had so I will have to mod the nose or find a replacement. Any suggestions from you guys would be appreciated on the transformation from an "E" to "C"

[Vleugelmoer]

Wow, what a cool project and fitting tribute to the man behind the story.

I do see a nose job in the future for this build, or are you going to keep it an E instead of a C version F-4?

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul J (The Other One)

Thanks Paul, yea gonna be intense but kinda promised my co-worker I would do it for him.
I know this may not be the best kit to start with given it is an E but that's what he had so I will have to mod the nose or find a replacement. Any suggestions from you guys would be appreciated on the transformation from an "E" to "C"

My suggestion would be to go to:

http://www.scalemates.com

It the best kit and aftermarket online database. Use the search function type in F-4C phantom and it comes up with all the kits and aftermarket. if you scroll down a bit you can refine the results by scale, manufacturer and so on.

My main concern is that the F-4E was a long nose version like all the reccy versions and the F-4C was a short noce version. One other concern may be having to modify the bottom of the nose / bottom forward fuselage. The E had the chin pod that housed the gun where the c basically had a flat forward fuselage. This would entail having to scratch build that including the landing gear doors.

Best of luck on the project, think you might need it

Paul J

[Twokidsnosleep]

Your photo links seem to be broken...if you change the photobucket name it kills everything

I watched the first of those videos and it choked me up what this poor dude went through. 20 ft , if he could have just scrambled that and grabbed onto the extractor and got the heck out of there. So sad. RIP soldier.

[Boxster]

Scott, nice that you watched the vid,s. Yea a very sad story but it shows how determined some solders really are. I think we could all learn from these kind of stories. I noticed last week that my pc's were broken. I logged onto the post in the morning and then went back in the afternoon and saw that they were broken. not sure what happend. Can they be fixed?. Photo's are in my account when I log onto photobucket.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Usually a photobucket thing and commonly the file gets renamed or altered so if becomes "unfound"
I altered the title of one of my photobucket files and whammo all pics gone.
So I just edited the post on ISM with the newly named photo links.
You could try to copy the link of one of the photos and edit your post ...bet that gets the pic back
I don't think they will come back on their own, something in the photobucket files has changed

[Boxster]

Thanks Scott, will look into editing my post. I appreciate the help sir.

[Lysus]

Yeah, found that out the hard way, myself. If you move or rename the files it breaks your links. I had to go back and edit the post with every single photo's new link address

[Boxster]

Thanks guys, I think I fixed it . Hope this wont happen again.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Thanks guys, I think I fixed it . Hope this wont happen again.

No worries, been there done that too
The story behind your build makes this one of my favorite Phanatom threads

[Boxster]

Hello peps, just a little update for today. I've been busy with work and fixing this post but will try and keep things moving. I received something today for the build.


"Daddy got's a new pair of shoes"




Also been trying to find away of converting this "E" variant nose to the correct "C" version that it necessary for the build. I knew this would be an issue and of course the smart people on this post kindly pointed it out right away. (Thanks Paul). After pondering the issue and doing some perusing on the interwebs I think I have an inexpensive solution.

I picked this up from a local hobby store for $20 bucks. I figured it was a cheap investment for the conversion.



Here are a few pictures for comparison and please post some feed back on any suggestions before I get started so I can hear some options. Thanks

]

I will be digging into this conversion more tomorrow and will post more in process pictures. Thanks for your feed back and support.

"Let the styrene dust fly"

[Boxster]

Just a little update on the nose surgery. I started removing what wasn't needed from the Hasagwa kit.



Then I started on the donor kit, removing the nose and the filler piece that was needed on the bottom.


After a little while and a couple beers I came up with this.



I have to say this sure tested my modeling patience but the beer helped. This was my fist attempt of any kind of surgery on aircraft and it was a little challenging but satisfying. He is were it stands right now. Not a bad fit considering I wasn't sure if this would even work. I now there is some definite work to be done but satisfied with the beginning stages of the transformation.

[GuyMac]

Seems you'll put a lot of effort in this build. Eager to see how it comes along

[Boxster]

Hey guys just a little update for today. I decided to go ahead and do a little work on the front wheel bay with some PE.

Here is where I started.



After the clean up with a chisel, sanding stick and xacto.



Finally some PE from the Eduard set.



Next comes the plumbing . This is gonna be fun.



That's it for now fellow F-4 builders. Wish me luck on this one. I think I may have to get some of that "Makers Mark" that Paul consumes.
Thanks again guys for the views and the feed back. I really am enjoying this build so far albeit just getting started. Have a good one and "Build On" young men.

[Lysus]

If you can squeeze even 10% of that bay detail in then you're a god. Considering the work so far you've done I think that this result is assured

[Twokidsnosleep]

Rhinoplasty on a Rhino
Cool

[Spook]

Major nose job awesome

[Boxster]

If you can squeeze even 10% of that bay detail in then you're a god. Considering the work so far you've done I think that this result is assured

Thanks for the encouragement Lysus. I hope to achieve that 10% percent but striving for maybe 20%. It may not be possible but what the heck I can only try. I am always trying to improve and build on my skills. If I mess up it's still a learning experience. I hope I can achieve some of your expectations.

Rhinoplasty on a Rhino
Cool

Thanks Scott, this is gonna be some work but gonna give it a go.

Major nose job awesome

Hey Spook, yea first time I've done this on an aircraft. I had to compensate for the kit that was given to me, but determined to make it work. I am ether to nice of a guy or stupid, not sure which one.

[Boxster]

A little more on the front bay today. I opened the front wheel strut because it didn't like the look to much all closed and all. I added a little bottle and tried to fill in where needed. Also started on some of the hydraulic lines. I just might get to that 20% of the reference photo. This is a good start so far and hopefully I can finish the front bay off by the end of the weekend, and then its on to the other bays.



I also mocked up the interior and I am really liking this Black Box product. Very detail with crisp lines.




That's it for Boxster today. I hope everyone is having a good weekend, I know I am. Nothing like watching football and building models.

[RCehFFan]

Hi Boxter. nice nose job to start off the build. The detail your adding looks great. looking forward to seeing some paint on there. Are you a Packers fan? look forward to watching your build.

Cheers
Frosty

[Boxster]

Hello All, sorry for not posting any updates lately. I have been occupied with life and some medical issues lately. I just want to say the builds on this SIG have been awesome and wish I had participated a little more than I have. Keep up the good work and good luck to you all. On the other hand I probably won't be able to finish by the deadline but I will definitely will be continuing on the build and will post when I get further along.
For now though here is some progress so far, albeit minor given the deadline being right on top of me .

Starting with the bare interior.




The office chairs:




The information station:




Finally all together:






Also been working on some other bits but had to show the eye candy on the cockpit first.

Wing wheel wells started and will be completed soon.




I painted the engines but forgot to take a pic of it for this post .
Here is a teaser though.


That's it for now fellas. I promise to try and keep up as best as I can. Mojo hasn't been their but I must press on. Again, thanks for perusing my build and the support has been appreciated. I look forward to seeing your guys completed builds. Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful build year in 2017.