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Hi, My next project will be Kinetic's F-104G Starfighter. I have not decided what scheme to choose. The box is the Dutch "Volkel" edition, but I would really like to have a metal finish, so I think that leaves a Dutch version out of the equation..........? There is an all grey Dutch version, but this may be a little bland for a f-104: I am leaning towards a Norwegian f-104 in all NMF, although Eduard does a standard boxing of this scheme. It does look rather cool: Then there is also a Belgian scheme in NMF, but I would have to purchase yet another set of decals for this version. It is an option nonetheless....... So far I have the kit's decals which builds the Dutch Starfighter as displayed on the box art and then I have the Xtradecal sheet as per below: Anyway, some time still to decide on the final finish. Did do some work on the cockpit while waiting for "paint to dry" on my recent T-33. The seat belts on the ejection seat came as photo etch with the kit, but I added some netting to the side and guitar string for the hoses (courtesy of my teenage son). It did make for a tighter squeeze in the cockpit tub. To be continued, Thanks for watching, Regards, Rob

It is February 1971 and after the close shave of the Apollo 13 mission the previous April, security around the Apollo 14 mission is fierce. The problems encountered by the previous mission had been put to the public as a failure of an oxygen tank on the Apollo 13 Command Module. However, the real story was kept secret from the public for fear of the panic it might cause. Pictures of the Alien space ship that attacked Apollo 13 were captured on the TV camera James A Lovell had been preparing to stow away after that day's scheduled telecast was finished. This footage and the damage caused by the laser blast fired by the Alien UFO were considered conclusive proof that we were not alone in the Universe and that our 'nearest' neighbours were potentially unfriendly. In the intervening 9 months between the two missions, the US military and the United Nations initiated two new military and scientific programmes. One was tasked with secretly preparing for Alien attack. This was called SHADO and was charged with developing advanced technologies that would enable UFO tracking and space-based defensive systems. As a cover for the vast expenditure this would require, a more modest but public programme was initiated called Spectrum that would adapt existing vehicles and equipment for a 'Peace Keeping' role. Both of these programmes were run separately from the existing UN funded United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, a predominantly British and European operation that had been responsible for dealing with a series of peculiar events in Great Britain in the previous few years. Spectrum was as much a PR exercise as an effective military organisation. It was quickly decided that it needed to have its own air force for reconnaissance, logistics and power projection. It was decided to take the innovative step of recruiting the best female pilots of the time and creating a special squadron of 'Angels'. These Angels were given code names taken from popular culture of the time, so the first four pilots were code named Galadriel, Eowyn, Arwen and Luthien. The aircraft they were trained to fly was a specially adapted Lockheed F-104Q Starfighter, and so the Spectrum Angels Starfighter squadron was born. Here we see Galadrial Angel with her Angel Starfighter getting ready to mount air combat patrol around the perimeter of the controlled airspace for the Apollo 14 launch. So this flight of fancy came about because I picked up the recent Kinetic F-104G kit: and when it arrived, I opened the box up sitting on the couch with the 1:24 scale Angel Interceptor on the coffee table directly in front of me and my mind started to wonder what the Starfighter would look like in white with Spectrum roundels... I managed to get a set of 1:48 scale Angel Interceptor decals from JBOT decals and used these along with some of the stencil decals from the kit to built it. I did originally intent to pose the cockpit canopy open but I ran out of time to get this ready for the March club meeting of IPMS Farnborough so left it closed. The cockpit looked like this before the canopy was shut: "Galadriel" Angel is a resin figure form this set As you can see I removed the beret and added more hair using milliput - non military haircut but it is a PR exercise after all. They get upgraded to white flight suits sometime in the future! I came up with the backstory while driving home from work this evening and mention of UNIT got me thinking about my NEXT build

Starfighters in Combat (48020a) 1:48 Iliad Designs This is a welcome release of Iliad’s popular sheet depicting F-104s in service around the world, all of which saw active service of some sort, at the end of one end or another of an opponent’s missiles or guns. If you’ve seen the original set, you’ll know broadly what to expect, and it arrives in an A5 ziplok bag, with the instructions doubling as the header and a full A5 sheet of decals separated from each other by dotted lines. The instructions are excellent as usual with a brief description and potted history of each of the seven subjects, plus more information of interest over the top of each side profile to give you more knowledge of your choice. On the back page are overhead drawings of the aicraft, with a few photographs and scrap diagrams showing parts that differ from the norm. The pictures consist of sensors fitted to particular airframes and will help if you need to scratch-build them to add authenticity to your build. From the… errr bag, you can build six of the 7 projects if you have enough stencils for the rest of the airframes. F-104A “D” transferred to the Pakistan Air Force from Jordan during the 1971 war with India. The Aircraft was downed by an Indian Mig-21 on 17th December. Canadiar built F-104G of the 427th TFS, 3rd TFW, Republic of China Air Force. On jan 13 1967, Capt. Shin-lin Hu (in 4344) and Capt. Bei-Puo Shih (in 4348) surprised a group of Chinese J-6s (Mig-19s) and shot down one of each. F-104C 8th TFW based at Udorn RTAFB, in 1966/7. F-104C 8th TFW based at Udorn RTAFB, in 1966/7. F-104C, shot down by a Chinese Mig-19 on 20th Sept 1965 with pilot Capt. Phil Smith held as POW until 1973. F-104A of the Pakistan Air Force, during the 1971 war, Wing Commander Arif Iqbal shot down an Indian Breguet Alizé attacking Okha harbour. F-104G 141˚ Filo, Turkish Air Force on 21st July 1974 during the Turkish/Cyprus war, mistakenly attack his own forces west off Paphos harbour, damaging two destroyers and sinking one. The decals are printed on thick paper with excellent registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas. Conclusion With the new Kinetic kit readily available along with others in the scale, it’s a good time for this set to be re-released, and with the decal quality accompanied by good instructions it represents great value. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Revell ex Crown, 1/144, MFG-2 Aeroteam Demo VIikings.

Hallo Today I want to make some remarks on the famous Eurofighter. This aircraft is the famous newspaper a/c, since headlines are a constant accompany in this a/c life. It is comparable with the public life of the F-104 Starfighter. Anyway, the history of its design dates back to the 1980s to Israel. The Lavi was born. I was eyewitness of her maiden flight. This outstanding fighter. The US prohibited any further development or production to Israel. The US acted and acts the same way as the Catholic Church in the Middle Age. To prohibit knowledge to the common people. So, the drawings and calculation were sold to China. Their derivate was the Chengdu J-10. This a/c has a very familiar shape to the Eurofighter. Here I show you my model. The photos from the Lavi I made during a visit at Hazerim. Here ends the story of the Lavi and the melting design to the EF. In between just the J-10. Only one component of the EF is superior. This is the power plant. It is very well explained in a book (just for insiders to read!). The book is from K. Bauerfeind; Steuerung und Regelung der Turbotriebwerke. This book tells you all about the shortcomings in the F-100 power plant family too. As conclusion I can formulate that each nation may have good designs and a/c. Some are more capable as others. Some pay money to silence their opponent, but they are not better, just short sighted! Note: The air intake of the J-10 is more sophisticated as the EF. The weapon load of Python 3 missile! Happy modelling

VideoAviation is working on a 1/48th Lockheed F-104 Starfighter resin starter set composed by the Atlas compressor and the Ground Power Unit - ref. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/videoaviation/posts/1717802765016670 videoaviation.com/ground-support/148-f-104-starter-set/ V.P.

Hi all, Latest one of the production line is my 3rd Hasegawa 1/48 F-104 Starfighter (an Eduard boxing this time) finished in the markings of the Republic Of China Air Force (ROCAF) as she would have appeared in the early 1980's. Painted with a mix of Gunze and Xtracrylix paints and finished with Bestfong decals ( excellent by the way) I hope you like her. For those of you not put off by the pictures above here is a link to the wip, Thanks for looking and as usual all comments and criticisms are gratefully received. Craig.

I love all of the century series fighters - but If I had to choose only one, it would be Starfighter. I recently built three different models of the Starfighter - not only different versions, but also different model brands. The models are as follow: Italeri 1/72 F-104C Starfighter (No. 1359) [Based on old Esci F-104 from early '80s] Revell 1/72 F-104G Starfighter (No. 03904) [Revell new tool 1995] Hasegawa 1/72 F-104S Starfighter (No. 00447) [Hasegawa new tool 1989] I can't really say about model accuracy but ALL are good models to build with different strengths & weaknesses - and honestly they are pretty even. For example Revell has the most details (by a small margin) - but the details are also bit soft compared to Hasegawa. Panel lines are crispiest in Italeri and it has the most detailed wings - but it has no details in the wheel wells and generally is the least detailed overall. Hasegawa cockpit can be opened and is the most versatile kit with general good quality feel to it all around. They are all in the same ball park - but if I had to choose one - it would be Hasegawa. All painted with Vallejo paints (except silver with Tamiya spray can). Dirtying up using oil paints (panel line wash) & Vallejo weathering effects. Comments & constructive criticism welcomed. Hope you like 'em! From left to right: Italeri F-104C, Revell F-104G and Hasegawa F-104S.

Avantgarde Model Kits (AMK) is reported by MMCT Facebook Group as working on a 1/48th Lockheed F-104G Starfighter kit - ref. Considering the MMCT support to the project I guess we can expect soon or later a RoCAF "long nose" F-104G with the HIAC-1 LOROP system - http://www.916-starfighter.de/F-104_ROCAF_LOROP_H.Prins.pdf To be followed Sources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilitaryModelingSRG/permalink/2374473086101901/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilitaryModelingSRG/permalink/2374473086101901/ Original box art as anonymously published on January 4th, 2019. Note the two - wrong and now disappeared - characteristical F-104S additional ventral fins. Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilitaryModelingSRG/permalink/2209396522609559/ V.P.

I am a fan of models belonging to the vintage category, i.e. old models released until the end of the 1980s (the limit date is 1989). I also like to renew models and I love the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter plane. I decided to renew and modernize the F-104 model from the Matchbox set with the catalog number PK-28, which I bought as model scrap at one of the auction sites. darmowy hosting obrazków I started working on the model by putting it together and removing old paint. I used a caustic soda solution for this. I removed paint residue with a toothbrush and fine grain sandpaper. darmowy hosting obrazków In accordance with my work plan on this historic model, I cut a hole for the front landing gear hatch and widened the pilot's cabin opening. darmowy hosting obrazków I began working on the cockpit by reworking the original armchair, which was in no way similar to the armchair used on a real plane. As a model, I used the Martin Baker GQ-7A chair. These seats were used on German and Italian F-104G / S. Another work on the instrument panel. I have added some small ones on the board and it will be glued together so that the whole cockpit is ready. Friday evening was spent installing the floor and the rear wall of the cockpit. The whole looks very strict and requires refinement, but with the instrument panel and armchair the cockpit should look much better. Work on 104 is still ongoing and focused on the cockpit. The side panels have been angled correctly for the real machine. Now I will drill holes for the throttle lever and the joystick

Hi gang, After announcing what my second build would be for the GB I thought it was time to actually make a proper post for it even if I won't start it for about a week until my F-7 is closer to the finish line. I have chosen what I consider (and many others) to be one of the true icons of the Cold War, the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. When it comes to the 1980's in the geographic scope of this GB there are only two options open, namely either Japan or Taiwan. having built a JASDF F-104J a couple of years ago I decided that this build would be in the colours of the ROCAF (Republic Of China Air Force) and you can't really have a collection of F-104's without a ROCAF one in it as they operated every version of the F-104 with the exception of the C and F and scored the first ever kills for the type when 4 f-104's engaged a formation of PLAAF J-6's and Major Hu Shih-lin and Captain Shih Bei-puo each shot down one of the J-6's over the disputed island of Qemoy. The kit I will be using is the Eduard NATO boxing of the venerable Hasegawa F-104G which comes with a couple of resin extras (basically just one each of the Martin Baker or Lockheed ejector seats) and a very nice decal sheet which will be of no use whatsoever for this build, here is a shot of the box top; And the contents to prove that the plastic is as yet untouched; A shot of the resin extras along with a couple of other resin bits I have that should find their way into the build and the etched fret that Eduard add to the box; The lovely, but useless for this build, decal sheet; And a look at the sheet I have ordered from Bestfong in Taiwan which should hopefully arrive in time; I have used one of their sheets before when I built a ROCAF P-47N a few years ago and that sheet was of excellent quality so I have no doubt that these will be of the same quality, we shall see. I've had great service from them so far as the sheets I ordered were dispatched within 24 hours of placing the order and I was given a tracking number, which works! Thanks for looking in and as usual any comments and criticisms are gratefully received. Craig.

This is my third airplane model F-104 at Britnodeller. Tum together, a tiny model from Crown, also sold by Revell. This is one of the oldest models in my collection and is about 30 years old. The model was renovated by me and re-painted. Originally, he wore the Liftway markings currently Japanese JSDAF. Decals are original from the Revell set. obrazki na avatar

I present the renewal and repair of the vintage Lockheed F-104G Starfighter model from the 1/72 scale Matchbox set. The model has received a new cabin hood made by itself, a cockpit made from scratch and fuel tanks at the wing ends from the ESC F-104 kit. The Decisions of the Spanish Air Force also come from the ESCI kit. Model painted with Mr.Hobby H series and Bilmodel. Gallery models The original state, painting of the German Luftwaffe. Removal of old paint and decal. Cocpit, ejection seat Lockheed C-2. A new cabin cover with a new windbreak Landing gear Repair of vertical tail. Fuel tanks. Painting the back of the hull. Painting the entire hull model plus wings and tail. Decals, wash and finish.

Hi, I'm going in with Hasegawa 1/72 F-104 Starfighter. Like I mentioned in the GB Chat, this is not a favorite aircraft for me. And other modeller friends of mine would just giving me weird looks for saying that... So probably this built will make me 'love' it more This was the start, around a week ago before I pack it and depart with me for my workplace. Paint all the cockpit area with Mr.Color H370 as per instructions sheet Didn't have the mood to post, or start the build until 2 days ago and able to paint and built the cockpit, scratch a simple throttle, paint it, followed with wash and drybrushed both using tamiya enamel. 2 fishing ballast glued with epoxy resin is enough right? So... To build the CAF version, Hasegawa instructed to cut off 2 of the 3 blade antenna on front of the nose landing gear well. But, seeing the fitting between the halves (and the CAF sure have a shiny Starfighter...which means smooth surface). I planned to cut all of the antenna for ease of sanding later and re-attach it near the end of the build. Any idea... Or pointers maybe? Cheers, Mario

All bets are off ! It is rumoured to be a - money maker - unpreviously announced kit. Source: https://www.facebook.com/Kineticmodel/posts/1244366542397121 V.P.

Grew up on a Canadian AirForce Base. As a kid, watching and hearing jets flying overhead every waking day, was like growing up in the movie, 'The Right Stuff', a fantastical experience for others, that seemed just normal to me, except on those days at the airbase watching a supersonic jet fly overhead, as you turn and watch it flash past overhead without any sound, and the sonic boom hitting you from behind, scaring the crap out of you. Back then the pilots were allowed to break the sound barrier at the yearly air shows, but not today because of the damage to people's ears and nearby buildings i guess. As a kid, i was completely enthralled with model building, that mostly was being done by my older brother, who had money to buy them, allowing me to help build them. There is something therapeutic, like a meditative state of mind, that comes with model building. Today, i bought my first model, where i felt absolutely giddy at the thought and final purchase of it.... of none other than a massive 1:32 scale model of the Italeri F-104 G/S Starfighter.... that i have decided to skin with real aluminim foil, yes, a most daunting task that will test one's patience to the fullest, but in real life, this plane is spectacular with the shiny aluminum skin, that i think i first saw in a Star Trek episode long ago, and again recently in the new Xbox One simulator release called ACE Combat 7. I will post the youtube intro video of it here, of this young girl in the video who literally rebuilids this magical aircraft from the scrap yard... and then takes it for a test run... where of course you also get to experience the flight as a pilot in the game. So of course, while researching this magical beast of an airplane, i came across the model builds of it here on this forum.... and is why i am here building the thing in my return to my childhood adventurous spirit, leaving me wonder, why did not not do this until now, at age 55? arghhhh, love it so much!!!!!!!! Enjoy the flight! I will start a new post later with the building of the F-104

https://hlj.com/product/RDAFRE162704

I Made this 1/32 italian Air Force F-104s maintenance diorama starting from the Italeri model, I added a lot of detail using commercial add-ons but also a lot of scratchbuilt ones, expecially inside the plane. All was made using real pictures and books as reference. You will find the RAT, and the fuel pipes on the back of the plane and many other all around the plane you can find in the detail pic. I've made new carts and ladders and other details around the diorama. The scenery was made using photo-paint and printer.

Hi all, Here are some (quite a few actually!) pictures of my latest build, it's Hasegawa's well know 1/48 F-104 Starfighter finished in the markings of 202 Hikotai when playing the role of an aggressor for one of their annual Air Combat Meets. These ACM's have produced some very nice and unusual colour schemes and it was difficult to decide which one to build, suffice to say that there will be a few more in the future. Anyway here are the pictures. Here is a link to the WIP and whilst you are there have a look at the other great builds going on in the GB. Thanks for looking in and all comments and criticisms are gratefully received. Craig.

PM Model from Turkey has just released a 1/72nd Lockheed F-104G Starfighter kit - ref. PM504 It is reported to be a reboxing of the Revell kit with THK decals. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1439843012919029/permalink/2022504277986230/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/172688216588006/permalink/290633741460119/ V.P.

I caved in... This is the Hasegawa Starfighter I will try to build (and actually finish) for this GB: I haven't decided on the scheme yet but I am leaning towards a grey ASA or ASA-M. Jens

I have been working on this project for a couple of weeks now. The progress is slow as I want to super detail this model using CMK detail sets. I will be using superb DACO decals for Belgian Air Force. The aircraft I have in mind is one in the retirement scheme with yellow wing tanks in Tiger Meet scheme. I m using Lock On 1 Lockheed F-104G-J Starfighter book as a reference. This book has very good detailed pictures of almost areas covered by CMK sets. First steps to accommodate extensive CMK detail sets is to butcher the fuselage port and starboard halves. Making those cuts is time consuming. While test fitting, I noticed CMK gun bay is a bit short. Some detail work on engine

So timing is everything. Just debating what to start next and I saw this group build pop up. I have a Hasegawa F-104G/S in the stash. Plus I have a few days off and and so can sort out using Flickr. And the tin of Xtracolour X255 RAL7001 that has been on back order has finally arrived, so I plan to build this one - http://www.i-f-s.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/D-8107_306sq_LWD_01feb82_HPrinsX.jpg Using these decals from Modeldecal set 43: Also have an Airframe Orpheus pod in the stash: Have a couple of references as well: This will be my first group build and so will be keeping it simple. Looking forward to starting this at the weekend.

Time to narrow down my options for at least one build for this GB. The plan at the minute is to do one European and one Asian F-104 (although this may change!) and for the Asian one I have decided to go with an aircraft from the JASDF who were a major user of the type and had them on strength until 1986. The next problem is which JASDF one to do, a single seat J or a twin seat DJ. Both kits are unstarted as you can see below. And both come with very comprehensive and impressive decal sheets. Should be able to build every F-104 to serve with the JASDF from them! The only issue with the sheets is the usual Hasegawa inability to actually make the white on the decals white as it is a creamy colour, might try the "stick them to the window and hope that it lightens them" trick. but if they weren't enough options I have an aftermarket set from Two Bobs (who can make white white). Can't beat an aggressor scheme! Here's a closer look at the options. Very drawn to the one at the bottom, although I am also contemplating another one from the "Panda Bears" in grey and white which looks very smart and had rocket pods under the wings and it doesn't seem fair to only build F-104J's from the one squadron. And then there's the option of a DJ in the camo colours usually worn by Mitsubishi F-1's, oh dear decisions, decisions! At least I have until Saturday to make my mind up! Craig.

Model Art from Japan has just released a 1/48th Lockheed NF-104A Starfighter conversion set. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/modelartinc/posts/1496633993744813 https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0711ZC7FG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_880jzb61M8EQQ V.P.