1/48 Hasegawa F-104C - "Really George" 479th TFW, USAF George AFB, California - FineScale Modeler - Essential magazine for scale model builders, model kit reviews, how-to scale modeling, and scale modeling products

Grant Dalzell

Member since
April 2014

1/48 Hasegawa F-104C - "Really George" 479th TFW, USAF George AFB, California

Posted by Grant Dalzell on Friday, July 5, 2019 12:24 AM

I wanted to do a quick build, I have had an itch to do a Starfighter, so I did this one from the stash, OOB, man, what a beautiful kit to build (I bet Kinetic's isn't this easy to build), the only "complaint" I could give is that there are slight ejector pin marks on the slats and flaps (really strange spot for them), but old kit I guess.

Decals were NOT easy, as Hasegawa are normally thick decals anyway, but with all the colour on this one, it definitely challenged me, but I really like the scheme, so sometimes you have to go beyond the comfort zone.

Airframe is painted with AK Xtreme Aluminium and Vallejo Metal Color Steel, other paints used were Tamiya and Gunze, several coats of Gunze Super Clear III, Flory dark dirt wash (just to get in panel lines) and final coat was with AK Gauzy.

Really enjoyed this one, back to an era of "loud and proud" colour schemes, way better than low vis.

Reply

Pawel

Member since
May 2009
From: Poland

Posted by Pawel on Friday, July 5, 2019 12:59 AM

Hello!

It's a beauty! I like the NMF a lot. Looks like you've got a really good method for putting the Hasegawa decals down - so what's your procedure here? I used to get in trouble with Hasegawa decals since I started using decal solvents. The method that works for all other decals, that is leaving in a small puddle of solvent, in case of Hasegawa decals makes them wrinkle but then they don't straighten up, they just dry wrinkled. That's why I'm asking for your way of doing it, beacuse your results are very nice.

I also wanted to ask you about that particular aircraft ("really George"), what's the story behind it?

Thanks for sharing and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

Reply

Grant Dalzell

Member since
April 2014

Posted by Grant Dalzell on Friday, July 5, 2019 1:23 AM

Pawel

Hello!

It's a beauty! I like the NMF a lot. Looks like you've got a really good method for putting the Hasegawa decals down - so what's your procedure here? I used to get in trouble with Hasegawa decals since I started using decal solvents. The method that works for all other decals, that is leaving in a small puddle of solvent, in case of Hasegawa decals makes them wrinkle but then they don't straighten up, they just dry wrinkled. That's why I'm asking for your way of doing it, beacuse your results are very nice.

I also wanted to ask you about that particular aircraft ("really George"), what's the story behind it?

Thanks for sharing and have a nice day

Paweł

I used Micro Sol for decals, make sure when you firts put the decal on, use cotton bud and firmly keep rolling over the decal to get out water and air, once that is done, then use micro sol, yes it's supposed to wrinkle up, keep an eye on it, I sometimes use the cotton bud trick again to make sure it settles flat. patience is the thing with decals.

As for the "really George", I can't say, The pilot was George, and it is George AFB, so maybe that's it, here is a pic...if it works of it

Image result for f-104c really george