ESCI Kits?

spiralcity

Is the ESCI Scalecraft 1/48 Lockheed F-104C Starfighter the Testor kit reboxed?

Any info on this guys?

I seen an ESCI kit for 10.00 USD, but I dont want to pull the trigger on this if it's the Testor kit.

 

I have the ESCI 104 in my stash. It's better detailed and more complete interior wise than the Testors, but not as nice as the Monogram offering. I have the Hasegawa kit as well, but in my opinion, they overdid the recessed surface detail, especially on the wings. The 104 is VERY smooth sleek bird, and Monogram catches this better I think. But the Hasegawa detailing in the cockpit, landing gear, and especially the afterburner nozzle is superior.

The Testors kit was orginally released by Hawk, complete with retracting landing gear, over 50 years ago. The ESCI kit came with their surge of kits in the late 70s and was a big step up, including the larger tail G, J, & S part options. The Monogram kit appeared in the early/mid 80s as part of their Century series and also has the G tail option, and was better than the previous two releases. And lastly Hasegawa released their version a decade or more later, with the latest in tooling technology, and higher parts count.

The Testors kit is best for a canvas to upgrade to do an early A model, as it has the original downward firing C1 seat configuration. It is ideal for scratchbuilders with its open spaces begging to be filled. I built a few under the old Hawk boxings as a youngster.

If it was me, I would not pass up $10 for another F-104 in my stash. Not the best kit, but not a dog either.

Unfortunately, there have been times in my life when paying taxes took priority over buying kits- so I never bought the Hasegawa kits.

Been avoiding the very nice 1/32 Italieri kit for the same reason.

From what I have heard of the Hasegawa kit- it is the best of the 1/48 F-104s.

Thanks for all the reply's.

The kit is 10.00, so I thought it may be worth a gamble. I own the Testors kit and it is fairly sparse, although the fit seem pretty good. The Testor kit lacks a cockpit and an type of real landing gear detail, it sounds like the ESCI may suffer the same fate. The Hasegawas are fairly pricy and I was hoping the ESCI may be a good alternative. Perhaps I will look at the Mongram kits.

If you want a 1/48 F-104....hands down...Hasegawa!

I've done both, Revellogram and ESCI (years ago)...not great. I've done 3 Hasegawa kits (one being the 2-seater). Modeling joy!

I believe RoG re-boxed the Hasegawa kit as well.

Only on the 1/72 scale kits. I prefer the Monogram/Revell Germany F-104. The main fault of the Esci kit is the too-pointy tip tanks. I think you get a better cockpit and gear bay detail with the Monogram. I've never built one of the Hasegawa 1/72 Zippers, but I've heard they are very good. Of course, there was an older Hasegawa F-104 in 1/72 that was pretty bad.

I bought the Esci 1/48 F 104 G kits just prior to the Monogram kit release.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/157263-esci-4004-f-104-g-s-starfighter

The decal sheets were very comprehensive as is the number of parts but I think the Monogram kit molding is better.

As a result, I kept the Esci decal sheet and accessory parts but put the rest of the Esci kit parts in my Sci-Fi bin.

I think the Esci kit could be assembled into a nice model, though, given the parts count and decals but might need more work than the Monogram kit.

IIRC, the instrument panel was actually molded detail like the Monogram kit.

I did find a build review of the "G" kit:

http://www.helmo.gr/index.php?option=com_deeppockets&task=catContShow&cat=18&id=93&Itemid=35

I've never seen the ESCI F-104, but having built a couple of ESCI kits, I'll tell you the overall shape is usually pretty accurate, but the cockpit is pretty sparse and the instrument panel will probably be a decal.  The weapons will possibly be soft, as will the plastic.  As I recall, the wheel wells will be pretty sparse as well.  However, it will build up into a really nice kit with a bit of work.  Let us know how it goes.

John

That was quick! Thanks Paul.

Do you have any input on the quality of these kits?

No. Esci developed its own F-104 series in both 1/48 and 1/72 scale. Not the old Hawk/Testor kit.