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Good F-104 Starfighter kit?

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Good F-104 Starfighter kit?
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Sunday, January 26, 2014 9:23 AM

I was reading something about this aircraft and it gave me some inspiration to look into available kits. Not being an airplane guy, I know I built this aircraft in 1/48 scale over 20 years ago. It was a bright yellow with black bird markings by Monogram. I'll look it up on eBay in a little bit.

I'd prefer to build one in 1/72 scale, preferably in "regular" natural metal USAF markings, but if other markings are interesting, but not too difficult, I'd consider them as well.

I'm more concerned with fit and engineering over accuracy or variant.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Illinois: Hive of Scum and Villany
Posted by Sprue-ce Goose on Sunday, January 26, 2014 10:09 AM

Last I heard, the Hasegawa kit

http://modelingmadness.com/scott/mod/f104spreview.htm

was supposed to be the best at the time of release.

Comments in Britmodeler.com here

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/70116-f-104-kits/

I have the Hasegawa kit variant as reviewed in Modeling Madness as well as one in Canadian markings but have not yet had time to built them.Embarrassed

I am posting here partly due to wanting to see what others are saying these days.Whistling

With AIRFIX releasing so many excellent new tool 1/72 aircraft at reasonable prices, I would not be surprised if they eventually replaced their current kit with an updated tooling.Hmm

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by PaulBoyer on Sunday, January 26, 2014 10:39 AM

The 1/72 Monogram/Revell Germany kit has been produced as a USAF F-104C, several G/S boxings, and a two-seat which can be built as a USAF D model. Some feel the Hasegawa 1/72 kit is better, but you'd have to reduce the size of the rudder to do a USAF bird (not counting the USAF-marked F-104Gs used to train Luftwaffe pilots in Arizona). Monogram/Revell Germany kits would also be less expensive and perhaps easier to find.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Sunday, January 26, 2014 11:09 AM

I know it's a long way from what you are looking in terms of scale but the new Italeri 1/32 F-104 is a pretty new release with plenty of options and is probably a great fit considering it's new.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Houston, Texas
Posted by panzerpilot on Sunday, January 26, 2014 12:41 PM

This kits seems pretty nice.

-Tom

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Illinois: Hive of Scum and Villany
Posted by Sprue-ce Goose on Sunday, January 26, 2014 1:13 PM

PaulBoyer

............ but you'd have to reduce the size of the rudder to do a USAF bird (not counting the USAF-marked F-104Gs used to train Luftwaffe pilots in Arizona). Monogram/Revell Germany kits would also be less expensive and perhaps easier to find.

My apologies.
I thought Hasegawa had released an earlier F-104 mark in 1/72 by now.Embarrassed
It does appear that the Revell kit would be the best choice in 1/72 for a C model.
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: 29° 58' N 95° 21' W
Posted by seasick on Sunday, January 26, 2014 7:28 PM

There are a few kits of the "Lawn Dart" on Ebay right now.  Plenty of aftermarket decals too.

Chasing the ultimate build.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Sunday, January 26, 2014 7:45 PM

Thanks, I may try to aim for the RoG kit. I've already surfed eBay a couple of times; first time to see what was available/price point and after I googled some reviews to narrow down my search.

I am not interested in the 1/32 scale kit and I know just because Italeri releases a new kit, it doesn't make it good (i.e. when they released a 1/35 M1A2 and M1A1 a few years ago).

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