Rod Bettencourt

Awesome comment John, it is appreciated. Rod

Very cool, thank you. Rod

That is a thing of beauty!! Thanks for sharing. Rod

Exactly Hubert! This is why I want to do another one. Thank you for you comment. Rod

What a cool comment! Thank you very much. I look forward to your next build. Rod

Carl, thanks for that comment much appreciated. Rod

Thank you! Rod

Thank you for your comment very much. Yes I combed that website during the build.

Thanks Martin!!

Hello all, This is my attempt at the Italeri F-104G kit. I’ve been wanting to do a natural metal finish (NMF) in Luftwaffe markings for quite some time. My goal was to achieve a scale effect that makes the model look as close to 1:1 as possible. For the setting, I imagined this aircraft on a temporary duty assignment (TDY) to Torrejón Air Base in Spain, circa 1963–1964. I could not find much history for DC 107 other then delivered to Jabo 33 in May of 63. I added the Quinta Studio cockpit set, Master Model pitot tube, Quickboost intake covers, and Res Kit engine and wheels. There’s also some minor scratch building in the cockpit area. The kit itself was excellent in some areas and more challenging in others. I had to fill some panel lines, do some re-scribing, and add rivet lines to improve the overall realism. Paints used were a combination of Model Master and Alclad for the NMF finish. Right now, I’m doing my best to resist starting another one (specifically an A-model). While I’m fairly pleased with how this one turned out, I know I could do even better now with the experience I’ve gained on this kit. That said, I’ve got a stash full of kits waiting their turn—maybe someday! Thanks for taking the time to read this. I truly hope you enjoy the build. V/R Rod Note: I am aware that the fire bottle is not correct for this era, thought would be fun to ad.

Very nice looking build John! Rod

Awesome complement, thank you very much. Rod

John, thank you for your comment! Rod

Thank you George! Rod

Nice build of a great plane, nicely done John. Rod

Thank you John for your comment! Rod

Thanks Rob, you made laugh. Rod

The answer is no, with that said I had them loose at that point of the build. Thanks for your kind words. Rod

Spitfire Mk.I 234 squadron August 1940. Quinta cockpit and HGW seatbelts were used. Paints were model master. I ended up using the kits decals which were just fantastic. I was waiting for an overcast day to get that England airfield look. Pics were taken with my Iphone in California Central valley. I Tried some studio type pics but I am terrible at doing that. I am not a photographer in any since. Outside photos are far easier for me. In the end it will look scale, or it will not. I sure look forward to more kits from Kotare. Thanks Rod Bettencourt

Not sure how I missed this one. Great looking build and very scale looking to me. Rod

I really like that paint scheme!! Thanks for sharing. Rod

Thank you Carl and my pleasure. Rod

Hope you get back to this one John, it a pretty good build. I look forward to seeing it. Best wishes. Rod

Thank you Rob for taking the time to comment. Rod

Hi Kevin, It is the HK kit. Thank you for the comment. Rod