Thadeus Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Another part of my project will be 1/72 scale Italeri F-104C, and I'll be using kit decals. I've never built any F-104's, and that SEA scheme looks really appealing to me :) Most of my NMF's don't look too good. Those new Italeri decals look super awesome, I'm looking forward to this build. Just have to figure out if I'm going to use any aftermarket seat, Italeri pit doesn't look too good. Thanks for stopping by! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 I didn't do much research on this one tbh. I've seen some pics of SEA camouflaged, mk117 armed F-104's and wanted mine to look the same. I found out I have to shorten the inner fins of the tip tanks, as apparently they were symmetrical. It's clearly seen on this picture My link Here's some additional info on the F-104's in Vietnam My link Next thing I found out, that the jet I want to build, 57-0925 'Smoke II' was lost to SA2 in 1966 while escorting a pair of F-105's. Here's a link to an interesting story on other forum My link Now I absolutely HAVE to build it with some A/A ordnance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Awesome, you cant go wrong with a SEA 104. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 Closing the fuselage was pretty easy. Firstly, I've fitted aft fuselage parts to front fuselage, and then I've closed two full halves. I've repositioned flaps on the wings, as this is how most (but not all) F-104C's I've seen looked like when parked. Wingtip tanks are prepared. These will be the only stores that will be fitted. Apparently, during the second SEA tour, F-104's flew escort missions with just the gun. That's interesting. Untill next time folks ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 I've had to wait for the replacement ejection seat, as the one in the kit is pretty basic. This stopped me from painting. In the end I decided to make the canopy open by cutting it into 3 parts. I've glued front and aft part permanently, and the middle one temporarily with liquid mask. This enabled me to do this :) I hope to have this decaled by the end of the week :) Thanks for stopping by! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted October 5, 2015 Share Posted October 5, 2015 Beautiful paint job. Was it freehand? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 Thanks falcon20driver. Yes, it was mostly freehand. I really hate masking. The only thing I did mask was the gray underside, as I'm having some problems with overspray working with mm acryl 36622. No idea why though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 It took me a while to get back to this build. The only thing I've added were the rwr bumps in the aft and the one under the nose. Had to check their shape and size, and whether my jet had those installed. And then I took some time to forget all that info and research it again Still, I'm going to put some decals one real soon :) hopefully :) Thanks for stopping by :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 Great, I actually managed to decal my F-104, along with my F-100F. Probably the fewest decals I've ever applied to a single model :D Now gloss coat, weathering, matt finish and all the bits... I might actually finish this one in 2015 :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Finished! I doubt this will be my last F-104. I already have another one from Esci and one more from Hasegawa. Thanks for stopping by. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stevehnz Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I like that, the SEA scheme gives them a whole different look & much more appealing to my eye. Hope mine comes up that well come the day. Steve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stevehnz Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) Oops double post, still trying to figure out browsing forums with a cell phone. :( Steve. Edited February 28, 2016 by stevehnz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 Thanks! I sure hope to see Yours someday. I've never fully aprecieated the lines of an F-104 untill now, and I'm feeling ashamed. Now I'll have to make a few more to make things right :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Prickelpit Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 Nice model! But i think,the ECM pods under the nose and at the aft are not on the real aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 Nice model! But i think,the ECM pods under the nose and at the aft are not on the real aircraft. They were present - see here: http://www.i-f-s.nl/udorn-aircraft-part-1/ Nice work, Thadeus! One thing you may consider, if I may, is swapping the tanks for either RoG or Hasegawa ones - the Esci / Italeri are noticably too skinny. Cheers, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted March 1, 2016 Author Share Posted March 1, 2016 Thanks a lot guys. Not only the tanks are too skinny, but also are in a slightly different position. They should be attached slightly forward of where the cutout is. I'd correct this, but I've thought it wouldn't be that obvious. I'm also a little suspicious about the canopy shape, but when opened, it doesn't show. I'll have to get myself that Italeri F-104G with italian decals. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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