modelling minion Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 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. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
llking Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 great choice, I'd go with the bottom one to 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 I may add that another difficult decision with an F-104J is the colour scheme... natural metal ? Grey ? Or one of the dozens of experimental camouflage schemes worn by these aircrafts during the years ? There's a good selection of schemes here: http://kamuflazs-camouflage.blogspot.it/2011/06/kulonleges-festesu-japan-f-104-esek.html 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Great choices Craig. Which ever ones you build they'll be colourful! James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nimrod54 Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 I am sure that it will be a great build whatever scheme you decide to go with Craig. Looking forward to watching your progress. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted November 1, 2017 Author Share Posted November 1, 2017 Thanks guys, I hope my build lives up to your expectations. @Giorgio N I'm not sure whether to thank you for that link or not! There are so many great schemes there that I could end up just building JASDF F-104's and nothing else. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted November 2, 2017 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Great choices here! It seems that you should do both... And both in extreme camo ... I like the near black ones.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted November 2, 2017 Author Share Posted November 2, 2017 Cheers Werner, exactly the response I expected from you! I could build them both but then i wouldn't be able to do a European one. Mind you there is always the NATO/Warpac 60's GB if it goes through. Hmmm, decisions, decisions! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex77 Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Nice to see a double build! The Japanese ones sure had some nice colour schemes. If you want to build a European F-104G out of the F-104J box beware of the difference in the wheel doors. The European had the bulged doors on them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 27 minutes ago, Lex77 said: If you want to build a European F-104G out of the F-104J box beware of the difference in the wheel doors. The European had the bulged doors on them. They did... but not all did. Ok, not really related to this thread, but as it's mentioned here I'm jumping in and say that yes, the proper Gs had bulged doors for the wider main wheels, however this feature did not appear from the very beginning and a number of early G model Starfighters had narrow wheels and non bulged doors. How many ? Hard to tell. Which ones ? Really, only checking pictures it's possible to tell which aircraft had the narrow wheels. Did these aircrafts retain the narrow wheels ? Don't know, probably not and I woulnd't be surprised to find that in the end all received the wider wheels. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 2 hours ago, Lex77 said: Nice to see a double build! The Japanese ones sure had some nice colour schemes. If you want to build a European F-104G out of the F-104J box beware of the difference in the wheel doors. The European had the bulged doors on them. Thanks Lex, I am definitely going with a JASDF scheme for the single seater but have changed my mind as to which one. It will still be in one of the temporary schemes used in one of the tactical weapons meets and I am thinking along the lines of the scheme depicted below. Despite the apparent differences in colour I believe they are all painted the same and that it is just a trick of the film. The one problem is that the colours on the Hasegawa sheet for everything other than the black codes are way off so I might have to make some masks and spray them, including the hinomaru. 2 hours ago, Giorgio N said: They did... but not all did. Ok, not really related to this thread, but as it's mentioned here I'm jumping in and say that yes, the proper Gs had bulged doors for the wider main wheels, however this feature did not appear from the very beginning and a number of early G model Starfighters had narrow wheels and non bulged doors. How many ? Hard to tell. Which ones ? Really, only checking pictures it's possible to tell which aircraft had the narrow wheels. Did these aircrafts retain the narrow wheels ? Don't know, probably not and I woulnd't be surprised to find that in the end all received the wider wheels. Yet more great info Giorgio, you really do know your Starfighters! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 bet you haven't made up your mind yet :-) I'll be home soon to help you along the way................. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Watching with interest.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted November 10, 2017 Author Share Posted November 10, 2017 5 hours ago, Red Dot said: bet you haven't made up your mind yet :-) I'll be home soon to help you along the way................. Andy You know me too well Andy! Of course I haven't made my mind up yet, but I am getting there. 5 hours ago, franky boy said: Watching with interest.... Thanks for the interest. No much to report yet and there will be no progress this weekend as I'm in Telford all weekend. Hopefully I will make a proper start next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 On my way home now, so have a great time in Telford. Sorry that i won't be there but there is always next year Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted November 14, 2017 Author Share Posted November 14, 2017 Finally a little bit of progress to report! Not a huge amount of work done but it is at least progress. The main undercarriage bays have been assembled and fitted in place on both kits, they go together very well and cause no problems. here is a picture of the single seater. the two seater is indentical. The cockpit is not fitted in place yet as I haven't started painting it yet. I have also painted and built up the engine exhaust sections of both kits so the following pictures show how both looked during the painting stage prior to being assembled. A bit more weathering to do on the actual exhaust but I'm happy with how things look so far. Next job is to make a start on the cockpit. Craig. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Very nice start! Do these really have the short nozzles? Would have guessed otherwise!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 2 hours ago, exdraken said: Very nice start! Do these really have the short nozzles? Would have guessed otherwise!! Thanks Werner. Yes they do have the short nozzles, at least as far as the instructions are concerned, and all the pictures I have seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Yes, all Js had the short nozzle. The long nozzle was only used on the S and those Gs retrofitted with it in the '70s, like the German ones 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirageiv Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 (edited) Very interesting choices again Craig, that blue camo single seater in post 11 is one of the best F-104 schemes I have seen yet, I look forward to that one in particular! The exhaust looks bang on, this will be a great watch. Edited November 19, 2017 by mirageiv 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 Thanks David, I have been working on the cockpits and hope to get some pics up later today. Hopefully my build will live up to your expectations! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 And just to prove I have been working on the kits here are some pictures of how things stand at the moment. We will start with the cockpit tubs themselves, which are straight from the kit (so far) and have just been painted and dry-brushed and then some detail painting. And a closer look at one of them. As you can see I need to do a bit more on the back walls. And now the instrument panels which have had the same treatment as the tubs and are complete. And again a slightly closer (and out of focus!) look at one of them. The only addition neede is the canopy release handle, which I have added from some wire and painted yellow and black. And the seats as they look at the minute, these are only part way through the painting process with lots yet to do. Now I'm sure many of you will have noticed that there are more parts there than are needed for the kits I'm building at the moment and you are right, I thought I might as well paint the extras I have that come in the DJ kit (virtually a complete spare cockpit) and some extra resin bits in case I get the urge to build another one. I though I would also take his opportunity to show you some of the references I am using. Those particular Koku Fans are very useful as they have photo coverage of one of the ACM's and even drawings of the camo schemes, like this one; Now my Japanese is non-existent but the drawings show the camo patterns and the colours can be worked out from photos, and yes there will be one or two F-4EJ's in the temporary schemes before too long! That's it for now, thanks for looking in and as usual all comments and criticisms are gratefully received. Craig. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Mcellaney Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Nice work on the cockpit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 you have far too much time on your hands but at least it is being well spent. Good stuff so far Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyhunter66 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 On 11/1/2017 at 12:57 PM, Giorgio N said: I may add that another difficult decision with an F-104J is the colour scheme... natural metal ? Grey ? Or one of the dozens of experimental camouflage schemes worn by these aircrafts during the years ? There's a good selection of schemes here: http://kamuflazs-camouflage.blogspot.it/2011/06/kulonleges-festesu-japan-f-104-esek.html wow that's a good resource! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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