bashace Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 (edited) Since I usually pick group builds and projects that are beyond my time schedule, this is a refreshing change (I hope) to build something a bit smaller and less complex than the usual subjects. The home page for Starfighters Inc. can be found here http://www.starfighters.net The aircraft will be built mostly OOB, may incorporate an aftermarket afterburner nozzle set and metal pitot tube. Challenges: Matching that sky blue paint to the decals, polished bare metal aft fuselage. Choices: CF-104 or CF-104D, with or without wing tanks, clean or dirty (gear down). Lets get started! Edited January 16, 2012 by bashace Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Here's what we have to choose from; Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Due to the challenge of obtaining these kits, the obvious choice is to build from the damaged box kit, so here we have it... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 The 1/72 kit includes 2 full kits to make both the CF-104 and the CF-104D. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 For this build I will be constructing the CF-104D (2 seater) version for double the cockpit headache. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Wasting no time, starting with the cockpit, shot with Vallejo Light Aircraft Gray, put decals down and got buddy-buddy with the Micro-Sol. Blu-tac on toothpicks is as high tech as it gets for extra hands. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. Idacavage Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 (edited) Fantastic choice of a subject for this build! I have both the kits (1/48 and 1/72) that you have for the Starfighters F-104 so I'll be following your build closely. I was lucky to see one of the Starfighter F-104s perform a few years ago at an airshow and was thrilled to see (and hear!) a F-104 flyiing. I have not started either of my Starfighter kits so do not have any special hints.<br><br><br>The early TwoBobs decal sheet in 1/48 on the Starfighters F-104 does give a recomendation for the blue paint. I'll dig out my copy from my decal stash and post it if you would like. Good luck and have fun modeling! Mike Edited January 9, 2012 by Mike J. Idacavage Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Mike, Any info on the paint would be very helpful. I cross referenced the color recommended with the equivalent in Vallejo-Air, I'm sure it will need to be adjusted to get the color exact. Since I'm overseas and all my modeling supplies go by air, my choices are very limited due to the ban on flying hazardous items. When the time comes, I will keep track of the mix ratios if any using the Vallejo-Air acrylic. Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. Idacavage Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Hi Ron! I dug up the TwoBobs sheet on the Starfighters F-104. Bob mentions that FS25183 is a good match for the blue, at least the one used in the TwoBobs decal. His recomended paints for the blue are: Gunze Sangyo H015, Humbrol HB13 or Tamiya Xf08. Hope this helps! Mike Have fun modeling! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 Of course I cannot find any of those colors that can be shipped via air. According to "The Ultimate Model Paint Conversion Chart", Vallejo Model Color Prussian Blue is a direct match for FS15183, and that I can order. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Nice project! I love the Starfighters as I saw them perform in person once (and a customer of mine got a back seat ride in their TF-104). It is a pretty colorscheme, but I WISH they would have added a contrasting color to it in spots because when they do their airshow loops against a blue sky, you literally CAN NOT see them at the top of the loop (blue plane against blue sky at about 2000 feet up, quite an effective camo I must say). Still, these models are going to look great when done! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
2qwik4u Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Sweet. I used to have one of the 72nd double kits, and then like an idiot I sold it. Since then I've seen them in person and now I wish I still had it. Can't wait to see yours done up though. Here's a little inspiration for you: Couple more -Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Derek Moss Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Mike, Any info on the paint would be very helpful. I cross referenced the color recommended with the equivalent in Vallejo-Air, I'm sure it will need to be adjusted to get the color exact. Since I'm overseas and all my modeling supplies go by air, my choices are very limited due to the ban on flying hazardous items. When the time comes, I will keep track of the mix ratios if any using the Vallejo-Air acrylic. Ron Try ordering paints from Lucky model in Hong Kong. They manage to send just about anything anywhere! Derek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 Thanks for the tip Derek, I'm gonna give them a shot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Looking good so far Ron. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 Ok, got in some aftermarket parts, here's the afterburner after shooting it with some Vallejo Metallic Rust and Gunmetal. Still need to throw on a wash and some basic weathering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 Now seems like a good time to assemble the rear fuselage parts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 Cool part of this is you can assemble the halves without installing the afterburner assembly and rear landing gear plate, makes it perfect for using the trusty Flex-I-File Plast-I-Weld system on the inner seams. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 Glued together rear assembly getting a little love from the Mr Surfacer jar. Used a toothpick to apply small amount just to smooth out the seams. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 Applied paint to some of the smaller bits, I found that Vallejo-Air French Blue is dead match for the blue color. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 About 3 hours of arm wrestling aluminum duct tape to fit without too much grief. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Ok, work continues, here she is with a coat of Vallejo White Primer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 And here she is with a coat of Vallejo Gloss White. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Time for some of that pretty blue, Vallejo French Blue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Decals applied to nose section, not a bad match with the blue on the decal. In case anyone is wondering, I am keeping the airintakes off until I get the forward fuselage decals on to simplify the application. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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