Eduard 1/48 F-104 Starfighter "The Right Stuff"

Kevthemodeller · Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Fri May 20, 2016 12:42 pm

All looking good so far, love the metal finish on the fuselage

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Fri May 20, 2016 8:08 pm

Looking good. The NMF on those panels looks great.

I used the new Vallejo metals on my Mustang - a word of advice, be very careful when you mask, the paint is 'fragile' to say the least. I used Tamiya tape and reduced its tackiness before putting it on the model. Even then I barely pressed it down, just enough to hold it in place. anything beyond that and the paint came straight off.

Good hunting

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Fri May 20, 2016 9:03 pm

Hey guys,

It's been a busy week as ursual, but I have managed to get some stuff done on the Starfighter too

First some preshading.

20160516_211304 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160517_203701 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr]

20160518_221100 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

My idea was to spray on just enough metallic paint to get a nice finish and let the preshading shine through, to give a small variation. This, however, was easier to say than to do...

I basically had to choose between a nice shiny metal surface or a dull gray surface with visible preshading.

20160519_220430 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160519_220503 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

So all that preshading work was for nothing....

I'm not unhappy with the result, though - it just wasn't like I planned it to be

Well well... that's how you learn stuff I guess.

Instead I made some postshading of the surfaces using lighter (White Aluminium) and darker (Duraluminium) metal tones. I will do masking of panels and accent them a bit as well. The rest of the treatment will be done with pigments and washes.

Cheers

Tommy

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Fri May 20, 2016 9:06 pm

Kevthemodeller wrote:All looking good so far, love the metal finish on the fuselage

Stokesy44 wrote:Looking good. The NMF on those panels looks great.

I used the new Vallejo metals on my Mustang - a word of advice, be very careful when you mask, the paint is 'fragile' to say the least. I used Tamiya tape and reduced its tackiness before putting it on the model. Even then I barely pressed it down, just enough to hold it in place. anything beyond that and the paint came straight off.

Good hunting

Thanks!

I'll keep that advice in mind

Cheers

Tommy

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Fri May 20, 2016 9:14 pm

TommyKillander wrote:Hey guys,

Well well... that's how you learn stuff I guess.

Sadly so, but it looks sweet!

demarcation · Post by **demarcation** » Sat May 21, 2016 10:24 pm

Nice progress Tommy, looks great!!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun May 22, 2016 4:04 pm

Lysus wrote:
TommyKillander wrote:Hey guys,

Well well... that's how you learn stuff I guess.

Sadly so, but it looks sweet!

demarcation wrote:Nice progress Tommy, looks great!!

Thanks guys!

Tommy

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun May 22, 2016 4:15 pm

Hey guys!

It's time for some masking fun

.....and painting ofcourse

The yellow details where painted with a 1:3 mix of XF-4 and XF-60.

20160521_115050 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160521_122313 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160521_122339 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Topside of the wings where painted with XF-2 and a couple of drops of XF-20. After that I did some postshading with XF-2 only.

20160521_134050 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

The masking was quite a chore at times...

...but the job pays off.

20160521_134144 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Tamiya new white curve-tape is perfect for masking nosecones... it can be a tedious task with stiff kabuki-tape.

20160521_134916 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Light grey areas painted with XF-55 with a touch of XF-2.

20160521_144612 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

The anti-glare area in front of cockpit painted with XF-67.

20160521_151617 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Tommy

Smiffy · Post by **Smiffy** » Sun May 22, 2016 4:45 pm

Very nice looking starfighter so far

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun May 22, 2016 9:41 pm

Smiffy wrote:Very nice looking starfighter so far

Thanks Matt

Small update of tonights work.

I have started to assemble the figure. I will make a small presentation with a pilot wearing a "silver-suit"; the pressurized flight-suit that where used for NF-104 and X-15 flights.

20160522_212031 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Primer on, I will give it a coat of Tamiya X-1 aswell before I put on the metal color.

20160522_222055 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Besides; I have also put on a coat of Aqua Gloss on the undercarriage and painted the wheels with XF-85. I didn't use the supplied masks for the rims, instead I used very thinned XF-85 that I applied with brush to the edges of the tyres. This "wash" finds its way around the rims, just like it would on a panel-line and you will get a perfect black edge for the tyre. The rest of the rubber surface can easily be painted with a brush using XF-85 straight from the paintjar.

20160522_222140 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Cheers!

Tommy

Avgas · Post by **Avgas** » Sun May 22, 2016 9:47 pm

instead I used very thinned XF-85 that I applied with brush to the edges of the tyres. This "wash" finds its way around the rims, just like it would on a panel-line

Ahh, maybe an answer to my perennial tyre/rim paint problem!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Tue May 24, 2016 6:20 am

Avgas wrote:
instead I used very thinned XF-85 that I applied with brush to the edges of the tyres. This "wash" finds its way around the rims, just like it would on a panel-line
Ahh, maybe an answer to my perennial tyre/rim paint problem!

Cheers, buddy. I've been using this method for 1/72 scale aircraft wheels, since they are difficult to mask sometimes. The thinning requires a little experimenting to get right and the rims need to have a protruding edge separating it from the tyres (of course). Good luck!

Quick update:

The figure have been coated with Tamiya X-1, next up is metal paint

20160524_071102 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Cheers

Tommy

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Thu May 26, 2016 8:50 pm

Hey Guys!

Quick update before I pack all my modelling stuff into boxes

Yeah, I'm gonna spend this weekend with approx. 20 guys doing nothing but building models, eating junkfood and discussing rivets

I'ts gonna be fun, trust me!

So, more paint on the poor pilot - this time posing as Silver Surfer

20160524_202233 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

I will use this photoframe for the base. Aluminium profile will look cool I think...

20160525_195414 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Wheelhubs weathered with Tamiya Panelline Wash and matte coated:

20160526_212108 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Tommy

mperegrinefalcon · Post by **mperegrinefalcon** » Fri May 27, 2016 5:46 am

I have had this model in the wishlist for a long time, now after seening this thread i have to go out and buy one

It looks absolutely amazing!!!! I have barely built any 1/72 scales, only 1/48 and 1/32. I built the Hasegawa 1/72 Hartman Combo BF109 G-6. It was in the bargain bin at my local hobby store for $20, so i picked it up. 1/72 is a hard scale. I've finished one of the aircraft, but thats because it was all white, with decals for the rest. I have no idea how im gonna get all those fine details with the second 109.

Any tips welcome. The Vampire which im working on for this SIG will be my second 1/72 finish. Im hoping it will turn out good. New modeler, so any tips welcome.

Great job on the 104!!!! it looks fantastic! i have never had much luck with those small clear parts

great job!!!!!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat May 28, 2016 10:09 pm

mperegrinefalcon wrote:I have had this model in the wishlist for a long time, now after seening this thread i have to go out and buy one It looks absolutely amazing!!!! I have barely built any 1/72 scales, only 1/48 and 1/32. I built the Hasegawa 1/72 Hartman Combo BF109 G-6. It was in the bargain bin at my local hobby store for $20, so i picked it up. 1/72 is a hard scale. I've finished one of the aircraft, but thats because it was all white, with decals for the rest. I have no idea how im gonna get all those fine details with the second 109. Any tips welcome. The Vampire which im working on for this SIG will be my second 1/72 finish. Im hoping it will turn out good. New modeler, so any tips welcome.

Great job on the 104!!!! it looks fantastic! i have never had much luck with those small clear parts great job!!!!!

Thanks mperegrinefalcon !

Good luck with your build, the 104 is awesome and I can really recommend the Eduard kits!

Tommy

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat May 28, 2016 10:41 pm

Hey Guys,

It's been a long time since the last update, but there have been a lot of stuff going on. My IPMS have rented a chemistry classroom over the weekend where 10-15 people are sitting together building models. So I have been working for almost two days with this build.

Decal time !

There are two large sheets with this kit (one Cartograf decal sheet and one Eduard stencil sheet). Most of the stencils are for the german versions, so the decaling effort where quite smooth...

20160527_171524 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160527_184451 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

And it's time to start working on the base.... I'm using squares of 0.5mm plasticard where I have sanded down the edges to create random gaps along the seams of the concrete blocks.

20160528_100702 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

I visited the parking lot and grabbed some gravel and sand that I glued into the grooves using white glue.

20160528_100734 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160528_101414 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Base primed and this a test of the intended layout. My plan was to cut out all the letters and transfer them to masking tape, so I prepared myself for a couple of hours work with scissors and a scalpel

20160528_115342 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

But one of my IPMS buddies had a wonderful piece of equipment - a Silouette SD Die cutting machine

20160528_130236 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

We basically looked through the fonts until we found somthing similar to the font used in the movie poster, typed in "THE RIGHT STUFF", loaded the cutter with a sheet of kabuki-tape and hit the Print-button...

20160528_130602 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

In less than 2 minutes I had this sheet. Quality ? On par with an Eduard masking sheet

20160528_170502 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

How cool is that ?

Masking have never been more fun....

20160528_172617 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Ready for Blue paint. I masked the red stripes using Tamiya tape (the traditional way).

20160528_175034 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

The result after painting - The build is starting to take form now...

20160528_194600 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

I have glossed the base now and will continue with washes, pigments and final coating tomorrow.

Tommy

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Sat May 28, 2016 10:45 pm

Dude...

...it's spectacular. I'm on the run else I'd say more...well freaking done!

Avgas · Post by **Avgas** » Sun May 29, 2016 4:24 am

Amazing all round Tommy, that base looks fantastic with the stencil.

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun May 29, 2016 2:23 pm

Lysus wrote:Dude...

...it's spectacular. I'm on the run else I'd say more...well freaking done!

Avgas wrote:Amazing all round Tommy, that base looks fantastic with the stencil.

Thanks guys!

I'm very pleased with the result.

I'm very tempted to buy a Die cutter machine now

The Silhouette Portrait model doesn't cost that much, but kabuki sheets are a bit expensive though...

Tommy

Willem · Post by **Willem** » Sun May 29, 2016 7:22 pm

Loving this thread. Really intricate work on the paint job and the base with the stencil is a great touch.

Beautiful job.

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun May 29, 2016 8:53 pm

Willem wrote:Loving this thread. Really intricate work on the paint job and the base with the stencil is a great touch.

Beautiful job.

Thanks Willem !

Here are some more shots of the finished base - calling that one done now I think.

20160528_223714 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160529_212957 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160529_213024 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

The yellow line where made by masking a thin line, stipple paint Tamiya XF-4 Green Yellow as a base and then drybrush highlights with XF-3 Yellow. Some of the gravel and dirt between the concrete slabs have been highlighted with XF-52 and XF-68 and I have applied Ultimate Dark DIrt in the grooves. I light dust of MiG Concrete pigments have been added to the left end and bottom of the base to add some variation to the surface.

20160529_213046 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Pilot have been painted and assembled also. It will receive a gloss coat tomorrow to prepare it for the washes. He looks a bit like Mr Spock, I think

20160529_213129 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Tommy

mperegrinefalcon · Post by **mperegrinefalcon** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 2:47 pm

This build is looking fantastic!!! Keep up the good work!!!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Jun 04, 2016 10:01 pm

mperegrinefalcon wrote:This build is looking fantastic!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Thank you, mperegrinefalcon

This week have been really busy, so there haven't been much quality-time at the bench, I'm afraid *sad face*

Right now I'm in the weathering phase of the aircraft. I decided to use Tamiya Panel line wash as a pinwash and Zippo lighter fluid to clean up the excess wash. The wash has very fine pigments and blends beautifully with the metal tone (Well, I have seen proof of that on the Internet

) The drawback is that this wash is an enamel, so it smells a bit and so does the lighter fluid, but on the other hand it vaporates in seconds so there are no waiting time.
After the wash is finalised, it needs to set for atleast 24 hours before it can be coated.

20160604_220947 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

The undercarriage looks like this.

20160604_224042 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

The Dude is coming along aswell:

20160604_224107 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

I have added an oilwash using burnt sienna to the skin and the boots, just to add some variation. I think that I will keep the suit as it is, don't really see any reason to weather it at all...

Stay tuned

Tommy

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Sat Jun 04, 2016 10:05 pm

Yeah, don't weather that suit, I'm pretty sure the Air Force has a laundry machine. She looks better and better every update.

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Jun 04, 2016 11:03 pm

Lysus wrote:Yeah, don't weather that suit, I'm pretty sure the Air Force has a laundry machine. She looks better and better every update.

Thank you, Lysus!

I might just add a satin coat to face, hands and boots after this and call it done. The shiny suit looks great IRL, but it's really difficult to take a good photo of it. Hope it turn out good in the photobooth.

Tommy

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 1:18 am

TommyKillander wrote:
Lysus wrote:Yeah, don't weather that suit, I'm pretty sure the Air Force has a laundry machine. She looks better and better every update.
Thank you, Lysus!

I might just add a satin coat to face, hands and boots after this and call it done. The shiny suit looks great IRL, but it's really difficult to take a good photo of it. Hope it turn out good in the photobooth.

Tommy

Oh, yeah. I see what you mean now. I dunno, I'd take some shots of him after coating and decide then, that way you'll know if it needs it for sure.

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun Jun 05, 2016 10:27 pm

Hey Guys,

I have finished the pilot today. I decided to matte coat the boots, helmet-ring and head. I will keep the suit and helmet shiny.

- "Do I look fat wearing this ?"

20160605_211025 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

I have used Micro Flat thinned with IPA (1:1 ratio) to flatcoat. Maybe that's why he looks a bit crosseyed...

20160605_213435 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

I may add some pigements when I make the installation on the base, but I'm calling that done for now, this is how good I can get it right now - if I start to correct mistakes I will probably just make it look worse.

Tomorrow I will continue with the weathering of the aircraft.

Tommy

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 2:30 pm

Hey Guys!

Weathering of the panellines are completed - to be honest I'm quite happy to put the enamel wash and Zippo fuel aside. The fumes are not plesant at all.

Claybased washes or even oilwashes are nicer to work with.

I tried to keep the topside clean and shiny

20160606_150503 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160606_150536 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160606_150548 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Slighly more dirt on the bottom side

20160606_150614 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160606_150623 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

...and a mess on the workbench

20160606_114826 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

I will leave the aircraft to fully cure for atleast 24 hours, in the meantime I can complete the build of the ejection seat.

Tommy

demarcation · Post by **demarcation** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 4:08 pm

It's getting better and better mate!! Brilliant work!!

Stokesy44 · Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 4:45 pm

Beautiful work on the NMF, looks superb. The subtle weathering and washes for the panel lines really catches the eye.

The pilot looks super cool too - loved the 'fat suit' photo as well.

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 5:09 pm

Yeah, I think all my figs will be in a "fat suit" from now on after seeing this.

Aliktren · Post by **Aliktren** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:33 pm

great build as always Tommy, I have the other Eduard F104 and I really want to build it this year, thanks for the inspiration!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:43 pm

demarcation wrote:It's getting better and better mate!! Brilliant work!!

Thank you, demarcation!

Stokesy44 wrote:Beautiful work on the NMF, looks superb. The subtle weathering and washes for the panel lines really catches the eye.

The pilot looks super cool too - loved the 'fat suit' photo as well.

Lysus wrote:Yeah, I think all my figs will be in a "fat suit" from now on after seeing this.

Thanks guys!

It's an experimental pressure-suit in fully inflated mode; makes sure that the pilot lands comfortable after ejecting from the aircraft...

Aliktren wrote:great build as always Tommy, I have the other Eduard F104 and I really want to build it this year, thanks for the inspiration!

Thank you, Aliktren!

Tommy

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 9:56 pm

Hey Guys,

Short update today; but I have started to assemble the aircraft

20160607_220028 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160607_221731 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160607_221821 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Cockpit windshield and rear window have been unmasked.

20160607_221603 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160607_221432 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

There are a couple of mishaps, though; The CA-glue I used for the rear window have misted the glass slightly and some overspray have found it's way inside. The conclusion is that the vision is not 100% to the back; but who the heck needs to Check 6 when flying a F-104 !?

But the windscreen look great.

The center canopy is not done yet, it needs to be masked and painted. The doors anbd airbrake is completed and just needs to be fitted to the fuselage.

So, I can't procrastinate the ejection seat any longer; despite all the tiny PE, resin and decals.... It's the only part that needs to be completed.

Stay tuned!

Tommy

Willem · Post by **Willem** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 10:52 pm

Sorry to read about the problems with the rear canopy, I wouldn't have noticed. What I love is the detail and clean lines on the front canopy. Beautiful mate.

She is a stunner.

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:13 pm

I wouldn't have, either. She's a beauty, Tommy. Real stunner!

demarcation · Post by **demarcation** » Wed Jun 08, 2016 5:10 pm

Fantastic!!

Can't wait to see the final result!

HIghAltitudeScale · Post by **HIghAltitudeScale** » Wed Jun 08, 2016 6:31 pm

Very nicely built and weathered, looks spot on.

Avgas · Post by **Avgas** » Wed Jun 08, 2016 7:04 pm

Looking a top job Tommy. Bit of amusing info on the pressure suit. They are made by the David Clark Company who make astronaut suits etc and many other aviation related products. The industry standard pilot's headsets are David Clarks, always referred to as 'DC's', as in 'Where are my bloody DC's? Who's had 'em?' In WWII the American government was looking for someone to make the first 'G' suits. They wanted someone with experience in making elasticated garments. Step forward David Clark who were brassiere makers, and the rest as they say, is history!

mperegrinefalcon · Post by **mperegrinefalcon** » Thu Jun 09, 2016 5:17 am

Can't wait to see what you do with the seat!!!

The plane looks beautiful man!

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Thu Jun 09, 2016 10:05 pm

Thank you guys, you're awesome!

Okey... only the bangseat and canopy left to go. To be honest I think that I have evaded it because normally I complete the cockpit including the seat, so I'm done with it and the fuselage is sealed up. But in this case I followed the Eduard instruction, where it's done as the last step.

Anyway, the chair is painted with XF-69 Nato Black (I think, I did it a couple a weeks ago...

) and I have repainted the seats with XF-51 Khaki Drab and the parachute is painted with XF-62 Olive Drab. I have drybrushed some details using XF-19 Sky Grey

20160528_162405 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Seat have been glosscoated in preparation for decals. Tha canopy have been primed.

20160609_211533 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

I have finished the aircraft fuselage by rubbing in Tamiya Pigments (Burnt Blue, Burnt Red, Sand, Gun Metal) onto the mantlet of the afterburner to give an impression of heat discoloration. I'm not sure that it's 100% accurate, but I think it looks cool

20160609_221915 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Cheers

Tommy

Willem · Post by **Willem** » Thu Jun 09, 2016 10:17 pm

You're right. That heat staining looks cool as does the whole build. Brilliant work.

Really looking forward to the unveiling. Superb build.

Avgas · Post by **Avgas** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 8:05 am

That heat staining looks spot on.

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 11:27 pm

Hey guys!

The build is completed now with the final parts assembled, painted and fitted to the aircraft.

Struggling with the PE.. trying to make metal look like fabric is such a lousy idea

20160611_221652 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

But in the end I got this result.

20160611_232134 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

Fitted into the cockpit

20160611_233400 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160611_233427 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

..and that's it - We're done!

20160611_234953 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

20160611_235232 by Tommy Killander, on Flickr

I will rig my camera tomorrow and take some decent photos of it for the Final reveal.

Cheers

Tommy

MarkVerploeg · Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 12:25 am

That is some very nice work Tommy
The seat looks great just like the rest of the build

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 9:19 am

MarkVerploeg wrote:That is some very nice work Tommy
The seat looks great just like the rest of the build

Thank you Mark!

I really enjoyed this build and I had very few issues with the kit, I just had to use a couple of drops of CA-glue in one place as filler. The Vallejo paints was nice to work with, though I didn't manage to get the exact effect I was looking for - but I'm happy with the result anyway. Decals went without any drama at all (but they are from Cartograf so that is expected).

Left in the kit I have enough resin and decals to build a second Starfighter, so I will look for Hasegawa or this Revell kit (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/115267- ... tarfighter) to build a proper "Erdnagel" in German colours I think. I need a second masking kit aswell, but it's cheaper than buying a new Eduard kit.
Unless Eduard somehow releases an Overtree for this kit

.... but that is probably very unlikely since they source the sprues from Hasegawa, I believe.

Tommy

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 3:07 pm

Hey guys!

The Final Reveal photos are posted on the forum: http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 88&t=18402

Thank you for following this build and supporting me with cheers and constructive feedback

Tommy

TommyKillander · Post by **TommyKillander** » Mon Jul 24, 2017 11:09 am

This buildthread have now been updated with picturelinks to Flickr.

Apologies for the bump.

Tommy

Lysus · Post by **Lysus** » Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:10 pm

Heh, was wondering why I got a notice I'd been quoted on this thread.