1/32 Hatpin/Flying Coffin/Starfighter

[dmminiatures]

These are "before-after" images of the bits of pieces that got a coat of Tamiya white primer.



Italeri was gracious enough to provide some resin replacement bits, like the main wheels and bulge doors. though I think they are rather on the thicker side, and have inconsistent detail. But hey... its free!

[Cherrylock]

looks good Monty, what nation and camo do you want for the modell, take care lot of nation changed the seat to a later Martin-Baker..

[dmminiatures]

Hi Cherrylock - my options are sooooo limited without any aftermarket MB seats or decals. With the decals I have from the kit, I think I can be better off if I do a Spanish AF version, based on my assessment, below:

First option is to do a F-104G in Italian service. These are initial models in NMF. I dont think the model as a whole can support NMF. a ton of work needs to be done and I dont think I want to invest that much of a time

Second option a Spanish AF version. A nice sample here http://www.916-starfighter.de/Large/Stars/wS733.htm

Third option is a Taiwan AF version. Promising but the livery seems a bit boring, or maybe I am not looking hard enough. sample photo http://www.916-starfighter.de/Large/Stars/wR301.htm

[dmminiatures]

A bit more in closing in to painting this aircraft. Masking the canopy. the masking is easy but the fitting of the canopy needs some extra work. I need to fill and sand the gaps as they are very visible.



With and without the main canopy. I use blue-tack to keep the main canopy in place while I do the painting.

[Stuart]

I'vwe just sat and re-read this whole thread again - It's a really interesting tutorial Monty and I'd wish I'd been there in person to see your work . A great tutorial thanks.

Cheers

Stuart

[dmminiatures]

Thanks Portman! One thing that I enjoy doing aside from working on the kit itself. I am glad you find it interesting.

[dmminiatures]

Progress so far is painting the Starfighter using Doogsmodel's "three layer blend". A friend of mine posted the link and immediately I was intrigued with the concept. I have been doing post shading almost all of my recent builds so I thought that it maybe the time to experiment with this new approach. Here are images of the F-104 that has been covered with the second layer (lighten version of the base coat [XF-19+XF-2]). The base coat itself is Tamiya XF-19 Sky Grey



Being such a long aircraft, I cannot take a picture of the whole plane except if I move backwards!

[BlackSheep214]

She's looking good so far.

[dmminiatures]

She's looking good so far.

Thanks BlackSheep. The hardest part is yet to be tested. Just did some work on the masking and for the non-metallics it was no problemo. but for the metallics (NMF) man, I should have learned my lesson. its too late but I guess we just need to keep going, no? Will post pics after this.

Best, Monty

[dmminiatures]

Here is additional paint work on the Starfighter. As you can see, I have done with painting of the radome and upper wing section with Tamiya XF-2 Flat White.



At this stage, masking is easy and straight forward. This F-104 is super long, and my desk is not that big, and cautiously trying to rotate and move the object around without knocking off walls, lights, etc.