Shane's F-104 double build ** finished**

[shangos70]

I'm going to try and do West German double build. A Marineflieger TF-104G and a Luftwaffe single seater.

Matchbox TF-104G and an Esci single seater. For the Esci one I'm using markings from the Italeri boxing.

[TobyC]

Nice choice. I've got the Matchbox one somewhere so be interested to see it develop.

[BWP]

Hi,

Not sure if you're a "I'm just having fun" builder or a "I want this to be as accurate as possible" builder so use or ignore the following comment as you like: you cannot build a F-104G from either of those kits, nor indeed most kits supposedly representing the F-104G (or the F-104S). Most manufacturers seemed to go to great efforts to ignore the distinguishing features of the G type when putting their kits together -- I suspect they used data from the CF-104. The major visual difference is the undercarriage -- the G used a "fat" tyre which in turn necessitated a "bulged" wheel door which is quite distinctive in appearance.

There are two exceptions: the various Hasegawa "new tool" mouldings (they actually date from the early '90s), and the Revell F-104G and TF-104G kits. In the case of the Hasegawa kits the box has to actually say it's for a F-104G or S for it to have the necessary parts (the alternative wheels and doors). These kits are all excellent.

The kits you have are fine for building a CF-104 or F-104J (Canadian and Japanese types) but you would probably need to source alternative decals (there are heaps of them available). (The 2-seater would also I think be OK for a US F-104D but might need an alternative canopy.)

[Blueberryruby]

Nice choice, i do love these things.

Here's my Academy effort...

[shangos70]

Hi Bruce, accuracy doesn't come into it. I'm not a rivet counter by a long chalk and as long as it looks like one i'm happy. I build for my pleasure and not competitions so I try to concentrate on the exterior finish rather than the tiny details,but I understand where you are coming from. The single seat markings come from the latest Italeri boxing which has alternate seats and recon pods but that's about it really. Although I liked the red scheme I didn't want to faff with masking curves e.t.c and also wanted to add to my West German collection.

[TimJ]

I built the Matchbox kit last year, it's a nice kit.

[shangos70]

Work has started but as yet no pics. I'm going to pop some pilots in mine so no extra work ( as usual) in the cockpits. I have joined up the fuselage on the 2 seater and started to fill the seams. Both have had the wing tanks built, again seams e.t.c. I have painted the pit of the single seater plus the gear doors , wells and wheels. I will get the decals for the pit on later tonight and hopefully get some pics taken.

[shangos70]

Update on the double build.



The Esci kit has a great fit, much neater fitting rear end and no under fuselage join like the Mbox kit and obviously much more refined. The trick now is to make sure I have the wings set right and all seams sorted for priming. For the first time in a long while I'm actually enjoying the process, maybe its the subject matter or just a recharged mojo.
Tanks and wings are just dry fitted as is the double canopy.

[Marek]

nice progress, they look good together

[iggie]

Looking good! I like the Tango'd single-seater

[shangos70]

Bit more work done, priming and final seam work plus painting up the aircrew.
made a start on the tanks.

[Marek]

Wow, not too long till they will stand on their own.

[TobyC]

They've gone together quickly. I think the simplicity of the century fighters does make for relatively easy builds.

[Blueberryruby]

they are both coming together very nicely. The orange looks good from here but if for any reason you're not happy with it (and i can't see any reason why you wouldn't be!) I find that a yellow base coat really makes it pop!

[shangos70]

I've given the tanks another coat of Revell orange and attached the canopies. Much reading up on the underside colour and the consensus seems to be Weiss aluminium rather than silver grey. As I don't use alclad or have the relevant xtracolour tinlet I found that Vallejo silver 70.997 / FS17178 was recommended as a close match. I have that so it will suffice.