Lostagain,

All right, Nausicaa!  I built two of those original Tsukuda kits back in the day, both for friends who were equally big fans of the movie.  Actually, my friends were the ones that provided the video and the living room to watch it in!  My outlook on anime was forever changed, much like watching Star Wars for the first time in 1977.  Both events were so long ago, in a childhood far, far away...

Oh wait, it was 1988 when I watched Nausicaa - I was already grown up and working.  But in my defense, I had a protracted childhood.  

Looks great Nick! When I expand the photo I can really see the pre-shading.

Gamera. Many thanks latest pics.. next gloss clear.

Very cool Nick, thanks for the rear photos- I love the NM!

Looking really good there Nick. The preshading is coming through nicely and the metal finish looks very shmick. Love the lines of the Starfighter.

Real G, I have built the gunship - liked that. This one is going together for my brother who gave me a model of the Flappter from Laputa.
I spent a while the other day trying out colours on the model. This is the rough scheme to start with:

Piers: Nice!!! Looking forward to seeing the paint come to life!

Lostagain, when Bandai acquired the Nausicaa kits from Tsukuda they heavily revamped them, some for better, some for worse.  The Nausicaa Gunship was one that got better.  Bandai lengthened the nose a bit, and the figures are much cleaner.

Crown, that "Maru-Yon" is coming along ncely!  My Japanese uncle told me that is what they referred to the Starfighter.  "Maru" in this case means "0" and "Yon" is "4".  So typical of the Japanese, they truncated the "1" in F-104 to just "04".  And THAT, is the Japanese lesson for today.  

Gamera. Thank you, I gave the 1st mist coat of gloss clear and landing gear in place.

Lostagain. May thanks, I like the f-104 also. That figure is really cool looking !

Real G. Thank you for your comments and the Japanese lesson.

The pigment wash is next.

Nick: Cool, always great to see the model up and on her own 'feet'!

Nick,
The Maru-Yon is looking really good there, coming together well.

Arigato G san! Yes there was a lot of cleaning up, and a few added Milliput feathers to try and disguise the gap between the body and tail.

Thank you gents..

latest pics of the Maru-Yon.

working withthe kit decals.

Looks fantastic Nick. 

Wow Nick - really coming along.  Looks awesome in those markings.

Nick, the Maru Yon is looking fantastic there

That looks fantastic Nick! 

Thank you for your comments Steve, John, Lostagain and Gamera. I wrapped up decals this morning next another gloss coat to seal decals and some other stuff to do.

latest pics.

She's awesome Nick!!!

Please don't fly any missions against Godzilla- I don't want to see that beautiful 104 smashed up!!!

You read my mind. I saw the Godzilla mag in the Publix aisle I almost bought it.

F-104J updated pics...

That is beautiful Nick

Thank you Steve, I gave a light mist coat of Tamiya clear flat. The small stuff now like masking canopy, gear doors etc....

She's coming along beautifully Nick! 

Many thanks Gamera. I have the gear doors and wheels in place. I'm masking canopy, still have some small stuff .

Nice! So close to being done!

almost done some final pics to follow.

She's coming along beautifully Nick! 

Japanese Starfighters just look so cool.

Thank you  Gamera and Real G, for your comments. I like the Japanese markings too..

The F-104J by Hasegawa in 1/48. is done. I again thank you for watching and your comments.

Oh that looks amazing Nick! Perfect job!!!

On the work computer now so I can't really post your photo but will get you posted ASAP!

Nice build Nick. The best 104 I've seen, seriously!