SPA Modeler

After 5+ years from when I started this project, multiple speed bumps, and several sidelinings for various reasons, I am calling this one done. It is Monogram's early 80s issue of their F-104C, which I finished as attached to the 8th TFW in Udorn RTAFB in 1966/1967 during the second deployment of F-104s to that war.

In addition to the basic kit, I used Iliad decals, an Aires replacement seat (to replace the missing kit part that later turned up), some PE mirrors on the canopy hood, added scratch built RHAW antennas on the fuselage and scopes in the cockpit, and some needle file work on the kit afterburner petals to improve that part. I used Humbrol Enamel paints for the SEA camouflage colors.









































and the real Pussycat in Thailand



Thanks for looking, as always, comments and critiques are welcome...

I always thought a serial number starting with an "0-..." means an obsolete aircraft? Seems I am wrong...

Love this PussyCat decal up front! That one give a nice spot of colour to this camouflaged F-104. The work you did on the afterburner shows, well done! Stik, how did you do those rear view mirrors in the ´pit?

Thomas_M wrote:I always thought a serial number starting with an "0-..." means an obsolete aircraft? Seems I am wrong...

Love this PussyCat decal up front! That one give a nice spot of colour to this camouflaged F-104. The work you did on the afterburner shows, well done! Stik, how did you do those rear view mirrors in the ´pit?

I have no idea what the "0" prefix on the serial number is for. This particular aircraft's serial number starts with a 56, the Fiscal Year when it was ordered. And yes, I love this nose art as well. There are a couple other Vietnam F-104s with some large colorful nose art as well, but I was not able to get the decal sheets with those markings. They usually get snatched up right away.

The mirrors are from a PE set of mirrors I bought sometime back. I think they are for 1/43 scale cars, so I figured they would work just right for 1/48 aircraft. Anyways, I painted them black on the fret. Later I cut off the ones I was going to use, and added some foil for the reflective face, then I glued them in place with a tiny drop of Testors Clear Glue.

I'm happy that you like this one!

Something like these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Caracal-Decals- ... 58e07c8c5f

Yes, that set just came out. Superscale did one a few years back that had those camo ones plus a couple others. I wish that I had found that one, but am quite happy with what I have here. As well as markings for several other combat F-104s from other nations.

Looks great! I love how well the SEA camo blended on this bird. One of my (elusive) goals is to do an F4 Phantom marked up as Scat XXVII. Of course, I'll need the display space first, since it has to be 1/32!

lawman56 wrote:Looks great! I love how well the SEA camo blended on this bird. One of my (elusive) goals is to do an F4 Phantom marked up as Scat XXVII. Of course, I'll need the display space first, since it has to be 1/32!

Thank you Joe. Yes, The basic camo was one of the parts that turned out as intended here. I'm happy to hear that you like it.

An Olds Phantom in 1/32?! Nice! I hope to see that build of yours one day here. Yes you will need LOTS of display space- even if it has no base... Even in 1/48 the Phantom takes up a good amount of space. I'll get around to my stalled RF-4C one day...

I have another Phantom project coming to the front burner now as soon as I clear off some more work space. I'm gonna need it.

That is a fantastic looking F-104 Stik - it’s really nice to see one in SEA camo for a change , and I agree with Thomas, that’s a good choice of Nose art.

Interested to hear you used Humbrol Enamels – I thought I was the only one on here that still used them. If I may ask, what paint numbers did you use? I have a couple of kits destined for that scheme and it’d be good to get an idea of what paints to use.

Great Stuff! (makes me want to have a crack at my Mono F-106).

Cheers

Stuart

portman wrote:Interested to hear you used Humbrol Enamels – I thought I was the only one on here that still used them.

I use them as well, for certain things. They have certain shades you just can't find anywhere else. I used the #23 "Duck Egg Blue" for the interior of my M706, #29 "Dark Earth" for the leather gear on figures, (especially US boots), #103 "Cream" for the natural linen on my Sopwith Camel, and #100 "Red Brown" for German leather gear and cockpit combing.

There's a few others I use from time to time, but depends on what I'm looking for. Humbrol is the only enamel I've ever seen dry to a truly flat finish. My only complaint is the tiny paint cans. Either they dry out too fast, or I make a mess of them!

lawman56 wrote: Humbrol is the only enamel I've ever seen dry to a truly flat finish. My only complaint is the tiny paint cans. Either they dry out too fast, or I make a mess of them!

Yup, you can not get a better dead flat finish from handbrushed paints. The tins are the only real weak point of the paints.

portman wrote:That is a fantastic looking F-104 Stik - it’s really nice to see one in SEA camo for a change , and I agree with Thomas, that’s a good choice of Nose art.

Interested to hear you used Humbrol Enamels – I thought I was the only one on here that still used them. If I may ask, what paint numbers did you use? I have a couple of kits destined for that scheme and it’d be good to get an idea of what paints to use.

Great Stuff! (makes me want to have a crack at my Mono F-106).

Cheers

Stuart

Thank you Stuart. I am a die hard Humbrol enamel fan. As long as they are available, I will keep using them. They have much better quality than any other paints that I use. Model Master has inconsistent quality control, and cost twice as much. Not to mention that they have cut back their paint line selection of available colors.

The paints I used here are: 116 US Dark Green (FS#34079) 117 US Light Green (FS# 34102), 118 US Tan (FS# 30219), for the topside colors, and 28 Camouflage Grey (FS# 36622) for the bottom color. Those are the same for most US tactical aircraft from the mid 60s thru the mid to late 80s.

Thanks for looking and the feedback guys!