F104G/S Starfighter, 1/48th

Started by Chuck A. Villanueva · 64 · 2 weeks ago
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    Chuck A. Villanueva said 4 months, 1 week ago:

    Finally finding time to get back into this project. First with the wing flying surfaces, slats and flaps.


    The inner flap will be displayed down, leaving the outer flap neutral.

    The outer flap and leading edge slat are attached.

    Next is to assemble the missile rails.

    Hase has me assemble LH/RH rail halves and a rear clear extension.

    Next the rail mounting brackets are installed under nose section.

    Then the rails are attached to the brackets.

    Next the hud glass is installed to the IP dash coaming.

    Next the very nice windscreen is carefully attached in place over IP coaming.

    Next up the rear canopy window clean up the airframe to prepare for paint,
    more to follow

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    George R Blair Jr said 4 months, 1 week ago:

    Glad you are working on this one again, Chuck (@uscusn). One of my first assignments in the Air Force was at the base that was the RTU for NATO pilots flying the F-104. Saw and heard them every day. Definitely one of those planes that looks fast just sitting in the chocks.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 4 months, 1 week ago:

    Excellent progress, my friend @uscusn!

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    John vd Biggelaar said 4 months, 1 week ago:

    Very nice progress on the Starfighter, Chuck @uscusn

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    Erik Gjørup said 3 months, 4 weeks ago:

    Paint to follow? - Looking forward to that Chuck!

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    Chuck A. Villanueva said 3 months, 1 week ago:

    Thanks George, yes they do look fast just parked on the tarmac. Seeing a pair parked at Cubi Pt NAS in the Phillipines back in 86, they were from Taiwan. Out away from home you come across aircraft from other countries visiting or training on the forward bases.
    Thanks John and Spiros, getting closer to painting.
    Hi Erik, yes masking and pre shading coming up.

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    Chuck A. Villanueva said 2 months ago:

    Before I mask and pre shade the top surfaces. I assembled and installed the fuselage mounted missile racks.


    The braces are first attached to bottom of the forward section of the fuselage.. Then the rails are installed.

    Next is to paint the lower nose cone Lt Grey. Let it set then will mask it off for the black anti-glare panel.

    Once the windscreen and rear glass panel are masked off. The framing is painted flat black. Then using the same paint in the airbrush, continue on to pre shade the top surfaces.

    Next Ammo Satin Black is used to air brush the lower surfaces before apply the natural metal finish.

    I like the smooth Satin Black which leaves a semi gloss not quite flat finish that will be good enought to apply the natural finish undersurfaces.

    Next up to apply the natural metal under surfaces and then mask off to prepare the tu tone Dk Green/Grey upper camo scheme,
    more to follow

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 2 months ago:

    Great progress, my friend @uscusn!

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    John vd Biggelaar said 2 months ago:

    Great preperations prior to the next paint session, Chuck @uscusn

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    Chuck A. Villanueva said 1 month, 1 week ago:

    Thanks Spiros and John for the comments, I appreciate them very much. Now a little update.
    I used the new Ammo Atom metalic Aluminum. This went down very nice out of my Paasche H airbrush. The finish gives off a very nice metallic sheen.


    Next I masked off the upper surfaces for the tutone Dk Green/Dk Grey top scheme

    Once the paint was airbrushod over the top, the masks were removed. Thankfully no peeling of any paint after lifting off the masks.

    I used Gunze for the Green and Grey scheme. Next to apply Future clear coat for the decal process.

    next up decals.
    More to follow.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 1 month, 1 week ago:

    Very nice painting, my friend @uscusn! Looking forward to the decals!

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    John vd Biggelaar said 1 month, 1 week ago:

    Excellent paint work, Chuck @uscusn

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    John Healy said 1 month, 1 week ago:

    Looking good, Chuck.

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    Erik Gjørup said 2 weeks, 2 days ago:

    Looks good and ready for decals. Very nice Chuck.

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    Chuck A. Villanueva said 2 weeks, 1 day ago:

    Thanks gentlemen, I like this scheme of Dk Green/Dk Grey over a Natural Metal undersurfaces.