falcon20driver Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I didn't think I'd be able to join this group build, but I found a good deal on a 104 kit and a fellow ARCer was kind enough to send me some decals for it to build a Vietnam era Starfighter. With that, here is what I'm working with: The Hasegawa 1/48th F-104C I'll be building it as "Sex Machine" that was based at Udorn wearing the SEA camo scheme. Here is my inspiration board: I can't lie, I painted the cockpit last night because I had the airbrush out and I was itching to get going. I've been ale to get a bunch done today since my dog decided I should be up at 6 am and I'm not working this week so I have nothing else to do today! I was able to build up the fuselage and wings (I need some more kits that build up this easily). Then I attached the instrument panel. I learnt that if you follow the directions you have to cut the control stick off to get the panel in place, then reglue the stick. Lesson learnt. Now I'm going to paint the Quickboost seat and do a little more body work. I might even be able to get the brown painted tonight depending on what time the Wife gets home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AVGBob Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Wow. That's some mighty fine progress for day one. Keep up the good work. The F-104 is one of my favorites...looking forward to seeing more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Litvyak Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Great progress! Eager to see this progress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Small fiasco in the paint booth today. Had the brown on then while spraying the dark green, I jiggled the paint cup too much and dumped a bunch of green on a wing. Then broke off a slat and flap trying to clean it. So, I've got a little touching up to do this afternoon instead of extra progress. I'll try and get photos up in a bit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jinmmydel Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Small fiasco in the paint booth today. Had the brown on then while spraying the dark green, I jiggled the paint cup too much and dumped a bunch of green on a wing. Then broke off a slat and flap trying to clean it. So, I've got a little touching up to do this afternoon instead of extra progress. I'll try and get photos up in a bit. Don't worry. You're not the only one to have done that :D Looks good so far, and I'm sure will be great once you get things cleaned up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Thanks, I'm just glad it happened in about the best place it could have. I would have been less than pleased if I had to repaint the whole darn thing. Here it was with just the brown on from last night: Then today after the 1st green was applied. You can see the brown area missing/messed up on the left wing. I've already reattached the slats/flaps: This is my first SEA paint scheme so I'm trying to figure it out as I go. I'll touch up the brown this evening then hopefully paint the 2nd green tomorrow and then the gray belly on Friday. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Litvyak Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Looking super! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 I just got the gear put together and installed, minus tires. I'm now 2 for 2 when building a Starfighter tilted. I think I installed the main gear well slightly crooked which pushed on leg a little lower. DOH! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nfiler Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I just got the gear put together and installed, minus tires. I'm now 2 for 2 when building a Starfighter tilted. I think I installed the main gear well slightly crooked which pushed on leg a little lower. DOH! Don't sweat it. The real bird quite frequently was tilted when parked. With the narrow wheel tread, if it leaned on touch down or from turning during taxi in, it stayed that way after shut down until after fueling. And sometimes even after that. It was NOT due to uneven fuel load in the tip tanks. The fuel system balanced fuel in the tip tanks at all times due to the fact that too much weight in one tank would quickly lead to loss of control. The system also would automatically jettison the remaining tank or AIM 9 rail if one was lost for any reason. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Great news! I can just claim its a realistic depiction, not an oops. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AVGBob Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 It's called a "learning opportunity"....based on what I learned in business school... :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tosouthern66 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Keep up the good work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Living Legend Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Impressive) I've barely managed to open my kits box! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Looking great :) Those SEA camouflaged F-104 sure look awesome :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 Thanks guys. The major painting is now done: Next I'll go back over everything to clean up a few areas and paint the wheel wells/landing gear. Work is about to get a lot of crazy over the next few weeks so I have a feeling this build is going to come to a screeching halt for a little while. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it up in early October. Thanks for checking in! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 Looks like I may have a little time off, so I'm desperately going to try and finish this by next weekend for a contest. No pictures yet, just some minor work getting ready for the next round of painting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 The final painting is now done. I've done as much as possible while waiting for the decals to arrive. Hopefully they make it today so I can get this build all buttoned up tonight or tomorrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 The mail lady brought my decals sent by the fine HaroldK today. I had them put on in no time as there weren't too many markings on the Vietnam F-104s. Then after dinner tonight I sprayed the clear coat and removed the canopy mask. I'm really happy with how it is coming out. All that is left is to put on some RBF tags, do a small amount of weathering, then take the final photos. Here's how it looks tonight: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rotorwash Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Nice job! And super fast. Man, that was one quick build. Ray Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 Thanks Ray, the Hasegawa kit really goes together quick. It was a build I desperately needed due to some previous failures. Anyway, DONE! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastijan Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Cool Zipper! Not many seen in SEA colours. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rotorwash Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Thanks Ray, the Hasegawa kit really goes together quick. It was a build I desperately needed due to some previous failures. Anyway, DONE! Nice work! I agree it is nice to knock out a nice kit after suffering modeling setbacks. I am with you there. Ray Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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