F-104C---- Finished!

[Stikpusher]

Well I started this kit about five or six years ago, but it was sidelined for four of them due to a couple of moves and other projects. Then when I did start it back up again, it became a hard luck project. In between two of the moves the grip for the control column was broken off and lost. So I improvised a new one from my salvaged spare part off other departed builds the donated everything useful to my spares parts. And of course the WIP thread that I had for this project on the old SPAM Forum got lost when Proboards nuked the old site.

So anyways I am emerging from my model building doldrums and knuckling down on this puppy to get her done in the next little bit.

Anyways here are the old photos...

This is all I had completed when I restarted the build, the cockpit, this is after I had scrounged up a new grip for the joystick





at some point after I restarted the project I lost the bang seat. No worries, I ordered a new better resin one from Aries... of course after I got the resin replacement I found the old kit part, so into the spares bin it goes, but here is the replacement along with the original..



big improvement...





so I picked up with painting what needed to be painted before the fuselage was closed up...











then it was glue the fuselage halves together







then add the rear fuselage half





then it was time to take care of painting what needs to be painted for the intakes





then add the tip tanks and intakes

[Stikpusher]

continuing...

landing gear and missile rails added (an oops)





and the pitot tube added (another speed bump/oops looming)



then, during my research on this particular aircraft, I learned that it had been fitted with RHAW gear that was not part of the kit, so I had to scratch build the stuff

nose RWR



tail RWRs



cockpit scopes/black boxes





then it was time for more painting (another oops here)















You will notice that the pitot tube is present and then gone in several photos, I should have listed to that warning in my head to leave that to the last, the sucker kept breaking off...

[Stikpusher]

and finally I got to the point where I could start applying the camo paint. I'm on the home stretch now (so I thought)...









and after this point I added the Future coat, and THAT is when my biggest speed bump hit... because I was working on another project at the same time my bench was crowded, and the pitot tube was broken off and launched into the nether world, never to be found... so this project again came to a halt and was sidelined...

[Stikpusher]

Now during the sideline period, Revell re issued this kit, so using their fabulous customer service, I ordered a replacement pitot tube. But still the project sat sidelined, while others took priority. Recently I picked up a 1/32 F-104 kit, and during my research on that one, I picked up tidbits that I wish I had found before and could have applied instead of going back to correct...

1st, I found the Tech Order information for colors used. Low and behold the instructions showed the wrong color for the wheel wells and flap wells. Based on the T-O and photos, I was able to determine that white was not painted in those areas until much later in their service lives, so I went with the original color of Aluminum, went back and painted those areas in that color.

2nd, lots more reading showed that the outrigger missile pylons were not used in SEA on USAF F-104s, so I removed those. They either had wing pylons for carrying M117 750 lb bombs or were clean for fighter escort with only the internal gun as armament.

So after correcting those items, I added washes in the wheel wells, speed brake wells, on the landing gear, and on the doors & speed brakes. Today I cleaned up the washes (used Promodeler acrylic wash- easy stuff!!!) and added the decals. Photos coming soon...

[Stikpusher]

and this is where we stand as of this evening...

small parts with wash



wheel wells with wash





lower surface overall with markings (minimal...)



speed brake well with wash and tail markings



upper surface overall



nose close ups





and that's enough for me for today...

[BorgR3mc0]

Is this the camouflage scheme of the deployment to Vietnam ?

Lovely work on the seat by the way, good choice to go AM.

[KSaarni]

Great WIP Stik with so many pics and enjoyable story along side.
And happy to see another "slow build" moving forward... :-)

- Kari

[Stikpusher]

Great WIP Stik with so many pics and enjoyable story along side.
And happy to see another "slow build" moving forward... :-)

- Kari

Thank you Kari. I am so happy to be "back in the saddle again" on this one. It feels good to be finishing something.

Is this the camouflage scheme of the deployment to Vietnam ?

Lovely work on the seat by the way, good choice to go AM.

Yes, that is the camo scheme applied to F-104s on their second deployment to the war there in 1966/1967. Their first time there they were in either BMF or Aluminum lacquer, I'm not sure which. And yes, that seat is a big step up from the kit seat. Although in all fairness to the kit, Monogram provided a very nice pilot figure for those so inclined.

Thanks for looking and for the feedback guys!

[Stikpusher]

Right now is the fun part, trying to get the silvering out of the decals. On light color finishes it is not so critical at times, but on dark finishes like here... prick bubbles with pin, apply solvent, wait, repeat as needed... I must say though, this is my first time using Iliad Decals, and they are REALLY nice!

[lawman56]

Looking really nice. Something about that SEA pattern that just screams "beast", no matter which aircraft it's on. Can't wait to see your 1/32 version!