SPA Modeler

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!

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..

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

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.

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

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

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!

She's looking good so far.

BlackSheep214 wrote: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

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.