Testors Lockheed F-104A Starfighter
Posted: Fri May 12, 2023 6:50 am
Well, here's another of my models that has somehow been forgotten by me. I thought I had shown it here before now but I guess I haven't. It's an earlier build (back in the very early 1990s) and only photographed fairly recently at the Cameron Airport, the Testors 1/48 F-104A Starfighter is a very basic, simple old model. Originally, it was a Hawk release from 1957. I love these birds and really, how can one go wrong with a type named "Starfighter"? Is that not just the coolest name ever for a jet? And what other jet fighter looked any more ready to go to the stars than this "missile with a man in it"? ?
The rudimentary landing gear was given some much-needed detail and I used the pilot figure to add a bit of interest to an otherwise bare cockpit. The horizontal stabilizer and brake doors were covered with Baremetal foil. I scratched out the sensor fairing on the rear underside. The kit decals were used (and are showing their age now too
). Several different NMF paints were used but it's been so long since I built the model I really don't remember what they were; shouda kept "build notes" back then!
So, here's another look at scale models from the really distant past. A quick comparison of this kit with today's great new offerings reveals how far plastic scale model kits have come. With all the amazing models available today, it's sort of difficult to imagine what the "state of the art" for plastic scale modeling was in 1957.
Thanks for your interest in this old warbird!
The rudimentary landing gear was given some much-needed detail and I used the pilot figure to add a bit of interest to an otherwise bare cockpit. The horizontal stabilizer and brake doors were covered with Baremetal foil. I scratched out the sensor fairing on the rear underside. The kit decals were used (and are showing their age now too
). Several different NMF paints were used but it's been so long since I built the model I really don't remember what they were; shouda kept "build notes" back then! So, here's another look at scale models from the really distant past. A quick comparison of this kit with today's great new offerings reveals how far plastic scale model kits have come. With all the amazing models available today, it's sort of difficult to imagine what the "state of the art" for plastic scale modeling was in 1957.
Thanks for your interest in this old warbird!
You did a fine job on the machine. 
And of course, your airfield photography sure helps to make it look even better! But yes, you might want to have a look at some of the newer F-104 kits for an even better looking build.
your photography makes it look like it real
Seriously, what nice comments Johnny!