Crossbreeds Part 03

Modelling_Mushi · July 17, 2016, 06:58:54 PM

Hello all

Last installment (for a while) on the crossbreeds. I'm off for a work trip for a few days so hopefully by the time I get back the varnish should have dried and I can post some pics.

The donor kits (and I use the word 'kit' very losely) are the following wonderful

, early, Academy offerings.

If you are ever thinking of buying these - for a heavy discount - do yourself a favour and buy a square block of resin instead and carve out the aircraft! It would be easier and also look closer to the real thing. Small list of issues:

Shapes all wrong on both - terribly wrong on the F104
Mis-mouldings - the ventral strakes on the F16 are totally different sizes, as are all the weapons (fins short shot etc)
Decals - ARRGH! Nothing like the box art for the F16. For the F104 the ink ran under a coat of Passt (Aussie Future), under Tamiya gloss, under Testors Semi- Gloss (all acrylics mind you), ran like all heck under Mr Mark and Micro-Mark products.
It all does not fit - split F104 fuselage in half dry fitting the efflux; F16 intake looked like it had a goiter, shaved off a ton of plastic and it still does not look right.

On top of this I dropped both a few times, misaligned some underwing stores, and sanded out a few fingerprints. Worst of all I am converting to acrylics and for some reason the Gunze blue on the F16 crazed even though the Gunze white dod not - this after 2 weeks hardening and using Passt which is the single most benign clear coat I have ever come across [you can drink it and live - just ask my stupid cat].

At the end I am pleased with these though. If this is all that goes wrong modelling wise for the next 12 months I will be a very happy camper.

These two builds are not as subtle as my F16 - Mirage F1 crosses that I have previously posted - http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,42201.0.html and http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,42202.0.html - I think some may have thought these were only paint jobs, but no, twas more.

Until later in the week

Ciao

Old Wombat · July 18, 2016, 02:43:04 AM

Well, as long as you're bashing the bejeezus out of 'em, all should be good!

Modelling_Mushi · July 21, 2016, 06:14:15 PM

Back now, so here's the pics of the finished products. Its a straight flying surfaces swap and then sticking to the schemes in the box.

First up, an F-16A with F-104G flying surfaces, out of box decals and blue on white color scheme (look for the crazing in the Gunze Blue) and some stores from the spares box:

Second, the F-104 with F-16A flying surface, out of box colours and markings (including nightmare decals).

Both of them on Airfix stands - didn't want the extreme hassle of the undercarriages - and I am pretty happy with them.

Until next time, with something totally different

Caio

kerick · July 21, 2016, 08:00:26 PM

These look really great! I might try to build the F-16 with F-104 wings myself.

DogfighterZen · July 21, 2016, 08:18:21 PM

Wow!! That is the best looking F-104 ever!!!

Dizzyfugu · July 22, 2016, 12:46:34 AM

Both are great - but I esp. like the Starfighter with F-16 wings and the low tail. There has actually been a Chinese fighter design (that never materialized) that must have looked very similar to this combo - on my agenda for a build, and this one here gives a good impression of what it might look like.

The cracked paint on the other one is a shame! $:-\$

Anyway, the combos are worth a Whiffie nomination, IMHO.

zenrat · July 22, 2016, 12:48:24 AM

They both look like they could be real. Good jobs.
Using a stand with the Starfighter also avoids having to scratchbuild the undercarriage bays Academy couldn't be bothered to include.

PR19_Kit · July 22, 2016, 01:06:50 AM

You'd never imagine that just swapping the flying surfaces would make SUCH a huge change to both of them. Superb stuff.

Captain Canada · July 22, 2016, 05:30:00 AM

Wow....what a difference ! The first one just looks right. I`m keeping that idea ! The second one, although I love the colour scheme, just seems odd. It could be that awful kit, where the cockpit looks like a cartoon model.

Cheers !

Dizzyfugu · July 22, 2016, 05:37:01 AM

Quote from: Captain Canada on July 22, 2016, 05:30:00 AM
Wow....what a difference ! The first one just looks right. I`m keeping that idea ! The second one, although I love the colour scheme, just seems odd. It could be that awful kit, where the cockpit looks like a cartoon model.

Cheers !

That's the ridiculous canopy of the Academy kit.

NARSES2 · July 22, 2016, 07:19:52 AM

They do look good, especially like the F-16 with 104 appendage

It's cousin looks good as well, shame about the canopy (I've not seen the Academy kit) it needs a slightly lower one for me

Modelling_Mushi · July 22, 2016, 11:37:50 PM

Thanks for the comments guys. Yeah, the Academy F-104 is totally the wrong shape everywhere, but the front end is particularly chronic.

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on July 22, 2016, 12:46:34 AM
Anyway, the combos are worth a Whiffie nomination, IMHO.

Wow, thanks Dizzyfugu!

Dizzyfugu · July 23, 2016, 12:03:16 AM

You're welcome - I was not the only one with that urge. And a "dual swap combo" is something that deserves attention.

perttime · July 23, 2016, 12:54:18 AM

I was skeptical about this - but it works

Especially the F-16 with anhedral wings looks like a natural. As a personal preference, I would have made the loadout different, like an interceptor with wingtip missiles.

Paper Kosmonaut · July 24, 2016, 12:49:30 PM

This is one of those occasions where swapping stuff has made both planes actually look even better. I have always loved the 104's stubby wings and the T-tail on its long sleek body shape but my golly, they make the F16 look like a really pretty plane. And the wings of the F16 do the same trick for the 104. It's all very subtle actually, but on the other hand it makes a big difference. Great idea for improving two very bad models and you did a very nice job!