F-104AU(G) Starweasel

david sMiGielski · May 30, 2009, 12:37:58 PM

The US wasn't the only country to learn SEAD lessons from the Vietnam war. In the late-1970s and early-1980s, the RAAF conducted a series of experiments aimed at evaluating various SEAD tactics. Although the F-104--the mainstay fighter of the RAAF since the late-1960s--wasn't particularly well suited to low-level strike missions, the RAAF modified a handful of airframes with weapons and ECM suites as a proof of concept. This series of tests--known as Kangaroo Sun--helped prepare RAAF flight crews for the arrival in the mid-1980s of the RAAF's F-16s, which have since been used in numerous SEAD missions.

This F-104AU(G), affectionately dubbed the "Starweasel" by its aircrews, wears one of the many garish splinter schemes used during the Kangaroo Sun tests. This specific airframe wore this scheme in the spring of 1982, during Kangaroo Sun-3.

Build details: Hasegawa's 1/48 F-104G kit, with a modified cockpit (resin seats from an F-4 and a rear instrument panel with photoetched radar screens). Painted with Tamiya colors, masked with very thin strips of masking tape (from jammydog.com), decals provided by Richard at Gekko Graphics, whose profile inspired the scheme.

ChernayaAkula · May 30, 2009, 04:10:14 PM

Very pretty!

Absolutely gorgeous!

pyro-manic · May 30, 2009, 04:33:55 PM

That is a spectacular paint job.

tigercat2 · May 30, 2009, 05:38:59 PM

Outstanding job!!!

Wes W.

dy031101 · May 30, 2009, 05:40:11 PM

Being a Starfighter fan, I'm absolutely in love with this one!

Cobra · May 30, 2009, 05:45:40 PM

Awesome Job

that Paint Job had to be an RPIA to get Right!!!!!! Keep up the Great Work!!!!!

Aussie747 · May 31, 2009, 06:22:16 PM

Wow! Very nice scheme, you've done a great job

sideshowbob9 · June 01, 2009, 03:37:46 AM

Fantastic paint job!

Glenn Gilbertson · June 01, 2009, 04:02:37 PM

Beautiful paint job!

Ian the Kiwi Herder · June 02, 2009, 10:05:17 AM

(Adopts Peter Griffin voice) "Fr*akin' Sweet"

Ian

Radish · June 02, 2009, 10:47:32 AM

JayBee · June 02, 2009, 12:02:17 PM

We are suitably impressed! Yo Dude!!!!!!!

Keith Diamond · June 02, 2009, 01:06:05 PM

David, I've always been a fan of your builds

Brian da Basher · June 02, 2009, 04:03:50 PM

Well done, Dave! The splinter camo is a perfect compliment to the ~~Kiwi~~ Aussie markings!

Brian da Basher

pyro-manic · June 03, 2009, 03:28:48 AM

Quote from: Brian da Basher on June 02, 2009, 04:03:50 PM
...Kiwi markings...

*Pyro takes a smart step away from BdB*

Ouch.

F-104AU(G) Starweasel

sideshowbob9