The Counter Invader build is in its final stages, Time to spool up the next project, Eduard's reboxed Kinetic kit in 48th scale. Coinciding with the Hase kit in Italian livery, Why not have a pair of F-104's on the bench.
Next a peek of the contents.
more to follow.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Always great to see another Starfighter, Chuck @uscusn
Looking forward to it.

Let see what is in the box. This is the Kinetic F-104C kit reboxed under the Eduard's banner. With new decals, resin, Zoom set and masks. All in one box. Popping the lid reveals a set of sprues in a bag. Removing the top bag of sprues, has the decals, Zoom set, masks and instruction booklet.

I like Eduard's instruction book that provides a bit of history and direction in assembling the kit with clear drawings and placement of parts when assembling.

Page 1 has the parts map. The Brassin resin, Eduard's PE set, masks and color callouts.

Step 1 starts with the instrument panel.

7 options are available to build, 2 NMF and 5 SEA schemes.

The last page has the stencil placement around the airframe.

Beautiful decal sheet as well as a separate sheet with the stencils. Oh goody!

Next up is the Zoom set that will enhance the interior and avionics bay. Masking set. And a nice Brassin resin seat with cushions and a set of main and nose wheels.

Thats just the beginning.

Next a look at the plastic...

More to follow...

A very nice set and some great extras, Chuck @uscusn

Now lets take a look at the plastic. Starting with the clear sprue.

The windscreen looks crystal clear, with well defined framing which would help to mask if the Eduard's masking set was not on hand. The canopy which opens side ways also has some nice details. The rest of the pieces, lamps, markers are present as well.

Sprue A, contains the fuselage halves, the prominent horizontal stab that forms the famous T-tail of the F-104, wings, refueling probe, lower fuselage inserts. quite a busy sprue tree.

Well detailed fuselage, fine engraved panel lines, slightly deep engraved compared to the Hase F-104 but not an issue. The dive brake bay is detailed enought to get by. The interior of the forward fuselage has some details on each side of the cockpit walls.

The horizontal all flying stabilator is one piece with fine details.

The interior of the gear doors are well defined nice touch.

The small wings are 1 piece and pre drilled for the pylons. The lower insert is combined with the gear bay divider.

The next sprue contains the exhaust ring and fan, ejection seat and parts. 2 type of exhaust nozzles, open or closed.
drop tanks.

The 2 nozzles and exhaust pipe halves.

2 different style drop tank halves.

The last sprue contains the nose cone halves, interior bulk heads, main landing gear bay, cockpit tub, avionics bay.
Most of the detail bits and pieces are on this sprue in abundance.

Like the Hasegawa kit, the nose cone is in halves.

The landing gear bay is a bit more detailed than the Hase kit. The forward wheelbay wall and the center well divider.

The cockpit tub is deeper than the Hase kit with a nice detailed side consoles. The instrument panel as well.

The avionics bay is well done and can be viewed with the access door opened if you wish to display the details.

2 gun inserts are provided, depending on what version built, plugged or opened. The nose bay insert with nice details is also a nice touch.

Next time to get started in the cockpit.
more to follow...

Thanks John, it looks real good so far, Eduard's extra goodies and the Kinetic plastic looks nice, a bit more than the Hase F-104 in details. Now let see if it builds well like the Hasegawa kit that is in progress.

Hi Spiros, it is so far in appearance, sharp details. Now lets get started.

Impressive progress, Chuck @uscusn
The differences in tubs is really big, would not have expect this.
Very good paintwork, especially the aluminum looks great.