CMK F-104 Starfighter Resin Updates (for Kinetic)

[Mike]

F-104 Starfighter Resin Updates (for Kinetic)

1:48 CMK by Special Hobby

 

 

We’ve just reviewed the new boxing of Kinetic’s F-104G/TF-104G in 1:48 right here, and CMK have been johnny-on-the-spot and produced these new resin sets for the kit, which actually arrived before the kit.  We’ve got three of them so far, and each one arrives in a clear blister pack with a yellow header card and instructions behind the parts.  Photo-Etch (PE) parts are secured behind a piece of clear acetate to protect them from damage during transit.

 

 

F-104G/J Electronics Box (4400)

Suitable for the single-seat fighter only due to the different contours of the fuselage around the nose of the two-seater, this set provides six resin parts to create the electronics bay on the starboard underside of the nose next to the nose gear bay.  Firstly, the panel that is to be removed is marked in red on the instructions, with the bay shell fitted into the aperture with some fettling to get it snug and well-placed.  The bay has detail in one half and an insert completing the details, then a pair of edge-inserts fitted to the top of the bay, and the new open panel in scale-thickness resin is attached to the bottom lip with a stay included for the front corner.

 

 

 

 

 

F-104 Starfighter Engine (4401)

This set allows opening the engine bay in the belly of the aircraft, which straddles the two fuselage halves and will mean removal of two sections, one from each half, marked in red in the instructions.  The underbelly strake must also be cut in half carefully, retaining both halves for later.  Inside the fuselage are placed two internal skins for the area, then the engine insert can be installed during the fuselage closing process.  Two ribs are placed in the front and rear of the bay that hide the thickness of the fuselage, then a new highly detailed in-scale bay door is fitted out with the front half of the kit strake, while the rear section is glued to the kit on the centreline.  A resin stay is included to hold the bay open to the correct angle.  Detail to the engine insert is superb as can be seen below.

 

 

 

 

 

F-104G/J Port Side Cannon Installation (4405)

This set will require the removal of the gun bay panels on the port side, as shown in red on the instructions, then inserting the bay from behind.  The resin breech mechanism is fitted with six resin barrels held at the front by a PE spacer and a perforated muzzle, and it is noted that the barrels have closed muzzles, and could be replaced by some ultra-fine tubing from Albion Alloys for example.  PE edges to the bay with etched holes for the fasteners are supplied and fitted around the major edges, then the two bay doors are glued in place as per the instructions, with a small stay holding the aft section to the correct angle.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

These sets offer a simple upgrade path for the detail aficionado without requiring extensive modifications, and should be relatively easy for your average modeller.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of