F-104s...building Two By Two...

[Radish]

Chaps,

last night at IPMS Cov/Warks (who were thrilled by my VS Starfires and Jugular Javelin) I started an Italeri 1/72nd F-104A, one of lots of Starfighters I hope to build.
The idea is to have them "flying", and as such, mounted virtically, they could be in view by April 1st, Doncaster!

I hope to build them in pairs, illustrating the "early" and "late" periods of service, using whatever versions seem appropriate.


Suggestions are:

PAKISTAN...F-104A (real) and F-104G. The A in real silver, the G in camo, like the A-5 Fantan, or even the F-16s?

SPAIN....F-104G (real) in pale grey, and a later G in camo, like on their F-5As.

PORTUGAL....F-104A in silver and all green G.

IRELAND..."A" in pale grey, "G" in wraparound greens.

ISRAEL...."A" in natural metal, "G" in Israeli 3-colour from the 80s.

SCOTLAND..."A" in grey splinter, "G" in grey.

What d'ya think?

[gunfighter]

Why don´t you go for some Ss instead of Gs? Even ASAM for Pakistan.
B)  

[Radish]

"S" could well be on the agenda, as could anything else I devise.
I just called it "G" as the Italeri G is the donor kit for the broad fin/rudder.

Other mods are really to be expected as I fancy them, also missile fits, etc..
The RAF will figure too, of course.

A real "fun build" time ahead.

There's RF versions too, plus zwillings and VTOL ideas on the cards.

Plus, of course, the Intergalactic one!! But ideally I'll use my Revell 1/32nd example for that version......I've just found it in the loft!  

[Lawman]

How about a more advanced Pakistani version, similar to the F-104S, when the US declines to provide F-16s? Instead of buying large numbers of Chinese types (F-6s and F-7s), they get a license from the US to produce newer F-104 derivatives. The US is happy for to continue sales of F-104s well after their time, but is too worried about the Chinese getting their hands on F-16s. Fitted with more advanced J-79 engines, and a newer radar, they prove to be reasonably effective, even in the ground attack role. They are supplemented by advanced B-57 Canberras, for use in the strike role, with many modifications like the ones used in Vietnam. F-104s are then used primarily as fighters, but can carry Mavericks for air to surface strikes, in addition to the usual bombs and rockets.  

[Martin H]

so u got the new mouse then terry?

And there was u saying u were going to build these kits striaght        

[Shasper]

Rad, here's a shoty of a F-104H I did up some time ago, it's in adversary mkgs, but I used the same pattern as seen on the RoCAF 104s later in their life time:



Its the 144th LS kit, the spine started out as just a spare tiptank.......................then became a putty & toothpick induced nightmare! Eventualy I'm gonna do a TF-104 to go with it.


Shas B)

[Arc3371]

Yugoslavia gets F-104s to replace the F-84 and F-86?

[Son of Damian]

^^^
&

IRELAND..."A" in pale grey, "G" in wraparound greens.
ISRAEL...."A" in natural metal, "G" in Israeli 3-colour from the 80s.

The coolest ideas!!! B)  

[Radish]

Lots more ideas.

The "new" mouse isn't installed yet. The "old" mouse is obviously worried so is now working again!!

Anyway, started and virtually built both the first two "A/C"s.....just wings and tailplanes to add. One'll be straight from the box and "clean" the other isn't either!


The kits (Italeri ex-ESCI) are delightful, as delightful as I remember them fromyears ago.
I wonder if I've still got my RAF examples (2) and Imperial Roman AF one?

Further ideas on colour schemes left me with a build-list of 30+ Starfighters....far too many. All these schemes are DIFFERENT too.

Imagine a modern Luftwaffe one in RLM 70/71/65 colours?...or another in 81/82/84?
What about woodgrain (or red?yellow?blue??) fuselage with lozenge wings
USAF Thunderbirds???

LOTS of colour schemes, to flow not only onto the F-104 (I have 14 1/72nd kits so far) but also the F-5A, Kfir, and dare I say it......Hunter! All in 1/72nd and "flying" two to a base.