Mario Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 (edited) Hello modellers! Today let me show you my new F-104G Starfighter in 1/72. It depicts a German Airforce Starfighter from Fighterbomber Wing 31 “Boelcke” in Nörvenich from the late seventies. Despite the fact that the Italeri Starfighter is less detailed that the Revell or Hasegawa models, I like the kit as there is no option for a two-seater, making assembly of the fuselage a lot easier. As it is the second G-model I built from this brand, I knew very well what to improve. I scratchbuilt a new ejection seat as the Martin Baker seat from the kit was too small and nearly disappeared in the cockpit. The undercarriage was detailed with silver rod and stretched sprue and the characteristic bulges in the main landing gear doors sculpted with styrene sheet. Slats and flaps were cut and glued in extended position. Navigation, taxi and landing lights were added as well as collision warning light from sculpted rhinestone. The small stall warning probes were scratchbuilt from rod and aluminium tape and a new pitot tube was made from brass tube and silver rod.. The paint scheme was easy to apply as there are Revell enamels that matched the colors without the need of mixing. Gloss coat was Gauzy and matted with Tamiya acrylic paint. The decals from the box were very nice and worked perfectly. Found two very helpful sources in the web for a proper Starfighter build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKv9lsdln7E http://www.rolfferch.de/F104G/ Hope you like it Mario Edited July 2, 2017 by Mario 57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Hi Mario, this Starfighter is simply delightful. Everything looks perfect to me and the paint job is top notch. Congratulations!!! JR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Hello Mario, Very nice family shot ! I really like the pair, and particularly the mug beside it ! Very delightfull job You did great ! Sincerely. Corsaircorp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordfunker Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Lovely looking build. I always liked the Luftwaffe camp with the dayglo orange on the wing tanks. Karl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Hello,Dear Mario - Here's a delightful start to my weekend with a visit to Kempen Air Base. These 'Starfighters',like all your builds, are absolutely superb and show your characteristic expertise and attention to detail.The base works so well too.Study the absorbing photographs long enough and I'd be hearing those 'J-79's and breathing the perfume from their exhausts.😋 😉👍 All the very best,Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Beautifully built Mario. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 Hi Uncle Mario!!!! Congratulations forthe build....the birds Look so resplendent in this dress!!! I was remembering the early 80's when I had the Old Lou Drendel's Squadron ·# 27 F104 In Action book...Just the one with the blue background and the nice bird flying trying to get out of the painting, together with the same stable Century Series book as permanent residents in my night light table...I bought tons of F104 kits starting with the 1/48 old HAWK chromed and white, following with the 1/72 Old Airfix, Hasegawa's, Matchbox, and continued with the 1/48 Revell C/G and ESCI models with plenty of decals for nearly every conceived version and country, followed by the 1/72 ones...as have been a strong F104 fan made whatever I wanted at that time...not so highly worked as at this time there were not so high need to do it and we though that every model was perfect, and we were happy with whatever any brand launches to the market. Really I was so happy at that time!!! Maybe soon will start again with that fever, for me have not been another aircraft with the elegance and sleek lines as this one...and your rendition here gives me the reason about this thought. Thank you very much for sharing!!! Cheers, Luis Alfonso 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 That is very special - well done and the wee crewman looks so good under that clear canopy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 A definite thumbs up from me - you have produced a great looking model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabo31 Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 Hi Mario! One of my favourite a/c, remember when they come over our house in the early years of 1970. Your 104 looks very impressive in this scale. Udo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 Very nicely done in what I think is one of the best Starfighter schemes. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 These are lovely, great diorama great subject, weathering is really good 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyTiger66 Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 That is an exceptionally nice model of a stunning aircraft . I also love your scale runway! Best regards TonyT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted June 10, 2017 Author Share Posted June 10, 2017 Thank you very much Jean, corsircorp, Karl, Paul, Steve, Nephew Luis Alfonso, spruecutter, Udo, Steve, Valkyrie and Tony T for the nice comments! Haven´t estimated such an overwhelming feedback! To Paul: Glad I could contribute to your nice weekend. Always happy about your kind comments! To Udo: Especially happy about kind comment from Kerpen! To Nephew Luis Alfonso: Hope I could infect you with the fever this time! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 16 minutes ago, Mario said: Thank you very much Jean, corsircorp, Karl, Paul, Steve, Nephew Luis Alfonso, spruecutter, Udo, Steve, Valkyrie and Tony T for the nice comments! Haven´t estimated such an overwhelming feedback! To Paul: Glad I could contribute to your nice weekend. Always happy about your kind comments! To Udo: Especially happy about kind comment from Kerpen! To Nephew Luis Alfonso: Hope I could infect you with the fever this time! Hello,Dear Mario - You're more than welcome,my friend, I love your 'style' of modelling and displaying. The base itself looks superb and so realistic.Add a beautifully built and finished model to it and I feel I'm viewing a snapshot in time and find it totally absorbing.Kind comments are truly well-deserved! 😉👍 All the very best,Paul. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huvut76g7gbbui7 Posted June 10, 2017 Share Posted June 10, 2017 very nice models and realistic display base. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted June 10, 2017 Author Share Posted June 10, 2017 1 hour ago, mcdonnell said: Hello,Dear Mario - You're more than welcome,my friend, I love your 'style' of modelling and displaying. The base itself looks superb and so realistic.Add a beautifully built and finished model to it and I feel I'm viewing a snapshot in time and find it totally absorbing.Kind comments are truly well-deserved! 😉👍 All the very best,Paul. Thank you very much Paul! Glad you still like my style. It´s your kind comments that contribute to my nice weekends. Hope your Phantom build goes straight forward, the decals will work nicely and I can give back some kudos very soon. Cheers, Mario 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Excellent finish and nice setting. Point of notice: "The pilot makes this model complete." Regards, Orion / The Netherlands. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Great looking Starfighter there Mario, really nice work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NontasB Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Wow!! Really really nice Starfighter!! You turned a very simple Italeri kit to a masterpiece!! Regards, Nontas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 What's not to like .... a nice build and a Starfighter!!!!! It wins all round. Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted June 13, 2017 Author Share Posted June 13, 2017 Thank you Orion, Russ, Nontas and Martin for your kind words. Very much appreciated! Cheers, Mario Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scout712 Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Nice one Mario, I really like the way the pilot checks for the clear taxiway while taxing out! Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 Superb build, shows that you don't have to spend money on more expensive kits to get an excellent result. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Posted June 13, 2017 Author Share Posted June 13, 2017 Thank you Michael and 71chally. Have always been a cost-conscious modeller Cheers, Mario 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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