Popular Post RidgeRunner Posted May 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted May 24, 2019 Hi all, I’m happy to report the roll out of my latest build, representing YF-104A Starfighter, 55-2969, depicted as she was when flown by the GE Engines test fleet in the late 1950s. The fleet operated a number of aircraft in very similar colour schemes, including a B-66, a T-38, an F-4A, an F-101A an F-102A. She eventually went to the QF-104 programme and was blown out of the sky in the late 1960s. This was a natural choice as my first Starfighter build since taking up the hobby again over the past few years. FYI (courtesy i-f-s): "This General Electric test aircraft had been returned to the USAF in August 1961 and directly transferred to Lockheed Palmdale in September. In February 1962 it was transported to Lockheed Burbank and in August 1962 it arrived at McClellen for IRAN overhaul but also QF-104A modifications and preparations. It was delivered to Eglin on June 11th, 1964. At Eglin it got nickname "Capt Sassey" due to the fact that it"s engine always made a "Sassling" sound. On July 1st, 8th and 14th, 1965, this QF-104A flew similar drone test missions at 35 MFT at a speed of MACH 1.8. All missions went as planned. On the 23rd that same month it repeated this tested mission followed by being a target for a missile shooting exercise. The missile pulled 25 G's while tracking the Starfighter. The Starfighter was avoided and the Starfighter could land again safely. 28 September 1968: QF-104A 55-2969 flew an unmanned mission. During the mission it was hit under its left wing by an AIM-9 missile fired by a USAF F-4. Gladly the aircraft could be brought/controlled back home and it landed ok. "Chuck", at the controls, encountered some trouble con-trolling the heading on landing. There was no other damage and could be repaired. 26 January 1971: A number of years passed without any loss but this day the QF-104A 55-2969 was killed during an unmanned mission by a AIM-4H missile by a USAF F-4E Phantom. It was said it had 24 missions logged." During her time as a GE test machine she flew in a number of variations of the basic scheme so I have taken the decision to build a compromise, including most of the earlier scheme features. She is depicted in some images with a test probe and in others without this. Early on the NMF and white surround to the star-and-bar and lettering was wider too. Later she had a little nose art as “Queenie”, but I chose not to include this. She is not shown anywhere with underwing tanks but to me she just had to have some. The base kit is the Hasegawa F-104G/S, and I used a spare Italeri as a donor kit for the wings (more detailed than the Hasegawa) and, importantly, the fin/rudder. Excellent advice from @Giorgio N. This meant keeping the better rear fuselage detail of the Hasegawa. Additionally, I used a little aftermarket (seat, probe, jet pipe, etc). I had to adapt the underwing pylons, canting them correctly and modifying the tanks accordingly. They’re not perfect but hey, ho! 😊. Fortunately, the Hasegawa kit includes J-model items so I used the non-bulge undercart doors, wheels, etc. What did I use, specifically? Well: 1. Kit – Hasegawa F-104G/S Starfighter 1/72 (kit no. D17) 2. Donor kit – Italeri F-104C Starfighter 1/72 (kit no. 1359) 3. Aftermarket – Aires C-2 Seat (7316), Master pitot (7202), Aires F-104A/C jet pipe (7114) 4. Decals – Xtradecal national insignia, home drawn and printed serials using internet auction paper and Papilio fixer ( @TheRealMrEd recommendation), lettering, GE logo, etc, Armycast stencils (ACD 72 013), Xtradecal red lining 5. Paints – enamels – Humbrol Metalcote Polished Aluminium (27002), Steel (27003), Olive drab (155), Matt white (33), Matt black (34), Model Master International Red, and other little bits here and there. 6. Masks – USAF lettering etc skillfully produced by @Giorgio N, Canopy mask by Eduard. 7. Washes and weathering – Flory dirt and Tamiya Weathering powders. I hope you like her. Martin 121 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 That's stunning work, love that scheme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silenoz Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Very striking jacket... nice work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 That's a cracking Starfighter and a superbly executed scheme - well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Delta Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Magnificent work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Gotta love the "Missile with a man in it"! 😀 Beautifully done version of a great aircraft! Well done for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
replicant Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 That´s great! R&D stuff! I am so GEalous that you have her! I love her! Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 (edited) Thanks @F-32, @Silenoz @replicant @Gary Brantley @Papa Delta @Vultures1. The build wasn't without incident, with lifting dayglo, paint ingress under the windscreen, a bit of paint seepage on to the dayglo, which is never easy to fix. As it was a Hasegawa base kit, though, it is a great basis and I forgave her all the problems ;). I love the Starfighter! Much - wrongly - malined, much misunderstood, etc..... Martin Edited May 24, 2019 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Another impressive build, keep ‘em coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 All I can say is WOW ! A fantastic model, really very nice. Very realistic metallic finish, brilliantly executed dayglo paint and last but not least, a very interesting and colourful subject. Loved the mix of parts from different kits too, I personally believe that you used the best parts to get the very best F-104 possible in this scale Again, well done ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 Thanks @Giorgio N and @billn53. I'm pleased with the result. onwards to the next ...... Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Amazing work, bravo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Excellent work with a beautiful scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Fantastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 Thanks @RMCS, Dennis @Corsairfoxfouruncle And @Roberto. She is brightening my new display cabinet now alongside my other dayglo-adorned models :). It is a pretty cheap kit that builds up very well. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaddad Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 0rsum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark22 Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Great looking Starfighter. Excellent build and a very nice paint scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Martin, Just now saw the RIF....incredible model, and I think it's your best one so far. Glad you persevered and saved the windscreen. If the Italeri donor kit is indeed the Esci kit re-boxed, then I echo what Giorgio said about your using the best bits to make a very accurate F-104, as I have always thought the Esci F-104's were pretty darned good, with just the shape of the canopy being the biggest disappointment. Now, my friend, when are you going to do the T-38, F-102A and the F4H-1 and make the diorama? 👍 Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kampartiger Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Can't help myself from getting over excited when I saw your YF-104.It looked so resplendent with the various combination of colours being painted on it.It's got to be one of the most attractive Starfighter ever flown.Simply superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 One of the best-looking F-104 models that I've seen on BM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Lovely. Starfighters sometimes carried very striking colours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirageiv Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Beautiful model Martin, you absolutely nailed it! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Once my eyeballs stopped bleeding , I could see it is a joy to behold. A stunning scheme Martin & an equally stunning job on it, interesting too, I know very little about the Q birds. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John R Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Nice work! Makes my YF-104A look positively drab. I certainly do not have the patience (or skill?) to do a scheme like that. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyphbeta Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Excellent looking kit, really great work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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