F104G/S Starfighter, 1/48th

Started by Chuck A. Villanueva · 74 ≡ · ↻ 1 month ago
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    Chuck A. Villanueva said 3 months, 1 week ago:

    The basic decal scheme is simple for the Italian F-104S, roundels and squadron codes, it is the stencils that will take awhile to apply. Geez, like an F-4.


    Using the decal set from Hannants, they do lay down well using the Micro Scale process of Red and Blue Label settting solutions.

    Sparringl using Solva set on decals that are stubborn, sparinly.

    More decal work to follow

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    George R Blair Jr said 3 months, 1 week ago:

    Decals are looking great, Chuck (@uscusn). Interesting that there as so many stencils. My first assignment in the Air Force was at Luke AFB, which at that time was the training base for NATO F-104 pilots. I don't remember a lot of stencils on the planes, but it could be a bad memory on my part.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 3 months, 1 week ago:

    Excellent decal job, my friend @uscusn!

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    John vd Biggelaar said 3 months, 1 week ago:

    Decals and stencils do look great, Chuck @uscusn

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    Chuck A. Villanueva said 2 months, 2 weeks ago:

    Thanks George, yeah like an F-4, took 3 weekends to apply them all.
    thanks Spiros and John, now to get close wrapping this build up.

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    Chuck A. Villanueva said 2 months, 2 weeks ago:

    Finally finished the decal process applying all the stencils. The nose and tail, most of along each side of the fuselage.

    A few along the spine and undersurfaces.

    Next Vallejo Acrylic Flat clear is airbrushed to seal the decals and final finish after some wash is applied under and over the top to dirty up the airframe. Not too much these were pretty clean and kept up by the Italians.

    Next is up is to install the landing gear and work and final details.

    More to follow.

    1 additional image. Click to enlarge.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 2 months, 2 weeks ago:

    Looks excellent after decals application, my friend @uscusn!

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    Carl Smoot said 2 months, 2 weeks ago:

    Indeed, Chuck (@uscusn). It does look very nice. One of the pitfalls of more modern aircraft models are the need for stencils. It's one of those tasks that needs to be done in conjunction with another build so that you can step away from it every so often and do some other sort of modeling. Not as bad as sanding perhaps, but certainly up there.

    Looking forward to seeing the completed model. BTW, I am curious about your user name. I figure the usn part means US Navy, but not sure about the usc part. As an ex squid myself, its nice to know there are other mariner types building out there.

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    George R Blair Jr said 2 months, 2 weeks ago:

    Decals and paint really look great, Chuck @uscusn. Getting close to the end. I remember seeing these in the 1970s in Italy when I was flying airlift. They always look cool. I always figured your user name referred to US Navy from University of Southern California, but I could be totally wrong. (@clipper). :o)

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    John vd Biggelaar said 2 months, 2 weeks ago:

    Superb progress, Chuck @uscusn
    Decals do look really nice.

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

    Thanks Spiros, a combo of Eduard's extra set of stencils from their Zipper F-104, Super Scale and Expert decals for the scheme were used and performed favorably,

    Hi Carl, USC is for the University of Southern California, my Alma Mater, graduated in 1986. seems like yesterday, USN is for of course my service in the US Navy, thus uscusn. Which also appears on the license plate on my car.

    It took 3 weekends to apply them all, Lower and upper surfaces one weekend, down oneside the next and finally the RH side on the 3rd weekend. Not looking forward to doing any F-4 or any US jet for that matter. Fly Navy.

    Thanks George, your correct USC is for the University of So Cal.

    Thanks John, it will be down to the final details.

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

    Once the masks are removed, now to start working on the final details, starting with the landing gear.

    Starting with the nose gear, strut, hydraulic pump and lamp.

    The retracting actuator is carfully inserted into the nose wheel bay and then the front strut is installed.

    Next the gear doors and details under the nose.

    The probe and gear door actuators are installed.

    Next to assemble the main landing gear.

    The main gear strut, hydraulic line are assembled.

    The strut is installed then the retracting actuator is attached.

    Both main gears are installed and once set, she is place on her feet for the first time.

    Next is to assemble the main wheels. Using the Eduard's wheels and tire set. The fit is perfect and firmly set on the axle stubs for a long term shelf life.

    Next up more details to attach underneath the airframe.

    More to follow.

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    Spiros Pendedekas said 1 month, 2 weeks ago:

    Coming together beautifully, with finish line in sight, my friend @uscusn!

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    John vd Biggelaar said 1 month, 2 weeks ago:

    This 104 gets together real nice, Chuck @uscusn

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