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Playing in the Sandbox Group Build Sept 1, 2024 - Jn 1, 2025

Belgian F-104G Starfighter. Italeri with lot's of aftermarket WIP.


Guest DannyVM

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Hi Guy's,

 

after my two previous W.W.1 projects, it's time to do something totally different.

In fact, my hands where itching to start this project, but i wanted to finish my ongoing Harry Tate project first, so for now, the road is clear to tackle this beast.smile.png  

 

From the harsh day's of 1917, i take a jump to the Cold War area, during the 70's. In these day's, the F-104G Starfighter ruled the Belgian sky's, for me still the ultimate fighter jet ever produced.

Ok ok, maybe it's a little bit over reacted as i say it's the ultimate fighter jet, but back in those day's it was a kick ""s fighter jet, that you guy's have to admittfight.gif hahaha.

 

After the beautiful Italeri kit came out, i was lost forever, so i bought it with lot's aftermarket goodies.

 

DSC_0096_zpsuepi9cp8.jpg

 

Ok, i start with the Eduard goodies. On of the short comings of this kit is the fact that the engine exhaust nozzle for the J79 is in a rather closed position, so if we want a parked "Zipper" we need a fully open nozzle, for this i bought the Eduard Exhaust nozzle set.

Also resin wheels are from the Eduard Brassin range.

I also got the Eduard interior PE and the exterior PE.

 

DSC_0097_zps4fviwolx.jpg

 

It's much discussed on LSP and other forums, the Aires cockpit set. Very nicely detailed, but it just won't fit into the fuselage nicely.Hmmmmm.......a real bummerhmmm.gif so i chosed to go with the CMK cockpit. It's still a gamble because i don't know how it will fit into the fuselage, but there's not much to lose so, i will take my changes. The overall detail is quit good, but compared with the kit cockpit, the detail is rather the same, so therefore my decision to purchase the Eduard cockpit PE also.

I also chosed to buy the Aires seat, and the Aires wheel bay's. The Aires seat detail is very nice and crisp, still i have a problem with the back seat cushion for the C2 seat, which i can not seem to find in my reference book's, strangehmmm.gif

 

DSC_0098_zpspjktgqzu.jpg

 

Like always i want to put a pilot figure with my model, so a PJ productions pilot will company the manned Belgian rocket. Building a Belgian jet without DACO decals wouldn't be very properly, so the DACO decal sheet's are also in the game.

 

DSC_0099_zps5ineujah.jpg

 

For the reference i have two very nice book's, which i bought a couple of years ago. 1). The long out of production Lock on Verlinden Starfighter reference, and 2). a Starfighter bible on it's own, the DACO Uncovering the F-104 Starfighter book.

 

DSC_0100_zpst51lukc9.jpg

 

I still don't know which color scheme i will chose, but it will be certain a "Slivers" or a "Tiger" machine.

 

DSC_0101_zps96fphjrz.jpg

 

DSC_0103_zpss4gbhjxy.jpg

 

DSC_0102_zpsi7bxlx6k.jpg

 

Ok, time to make some room now on my workbench, stay tuned guy'spopcorn.gif

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Thank's guy's for hopping along with the build of this mean old Belgian machine.

 

 

 

Also a good Dutch book:

A couple of years ago i stumbled on this book in a library, indeed a very interesting book to read Cor.

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

The wood-and-canvas machines are real jewels on their own once they are finished. The loud pointy thing look's mean and deadly, and, it won't fit in my display case, so i need to take care of that. Now i have an excuse to get myself a bigger display case, and h""ll, it don't even fit on my work bench mental.gif ..........ok ok ........and also, it's just to impress innocent.gif  my wife evil_laugh.gif


DSC_0105_zpsin1qyzpw.jpg


 


Today i made a start, and took a closer look at all part's and aftermarket set's. On of those much discussed aftermarket set's, the Aires cockpit set, which i didn't bought because of the fit issues, was one of my favorite, but sadly i din't had the courage to got into problem's from the first second of the WIP. Therefore i decided to chose the CMK cockpit set, also with nice detail, but still a mystery regarding the fit into the fuselage.


 


Here's a photo of the set.


 


DSC_0108_zpssawatvbc.jpg


 


Compared to the kit cockpit tub.


 


DSC_0109_zps3zey3ndg.jpg


 


I let you guy's decide for you're self about the CMK detail.


 


But now, how about the fit into the two fuselage half's. I made it simple, i took the two fuselage half's and cleaned them, then i took the CMK cockpit tub and roughly dry-fitted the tub into the fuselage without any sanding or cutting.


Also, i did not removed any detail from the inner side walls of the two fuselage half's.


 


This is the result : 


 


DSC_0114_zpsvacoj7pe.jpg


 


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DSC_0117_zpsr1sgbrkg.jpg


 


DSC_0118_zps2crl1we4.jpg


Short said, the CMK tub fit's very correctly into the fuselage, without sanding, cutting or removal of the kit sidewall detail, that's look's very promising wow.gif .


It's a very nice surprise after the whole Aires debacle, but still i have to admit that the Aires cockpit rocks it all the way iff you compare it to the CMK set regarding detail.


 


At one point i'm still not convinced about the right size of the CMK C2 seat. His overall appearance is quit realistic, but the size is rather small, compared to the Aires seat and the kit's seat. Also the headrest isn't quit the same iff i compare it with my photo reference. Now i did compare the kit's cockpit tub and the CMK tub, and i noticed that the CMK cockpit floor is much higher then the kit cockpit floor, about 4 m/m, that sould explain the smaller dimension of the CMK seat, but still, i'm not convinced.


 


DSC_0123_zpsren01nod.jpg


 


DSC_0119kopie_zps9pkb9xmx.jpg


 


At this point i'm looking to use the Aires seat, but would give problems iff i use this with the CMK tub. I'm glad i bought the Eduard PE cockpit set, because i am now thinking serious about to use the kit cockpit with the Aires seat and the duard PE.


 


Greetz


 


Danny

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Guest DannyVM

Hi Guy's ,

 

i'm still in research mode regarding both the CMK and Aires ejection seat's. 

 

I took a photo of the 3 seat's from above.

 

Left the kit seat, middle the CMK one and right the Aires one.

 

DSCN1861_zpsbulubb9l.jpg

 

There's obvious a difference between them in wide, with the smallest (CMK).

 

Also, i'm still not convinced about the overall appearance of the CMk seat, it lacks in detail. The headrest is in my opinion not high enough and the side framing at the headrest lacks detail and the perforation holes.

 

Compared with the Aires seat, it's a world of difference, but at the other hand, the back seat cushion of the Aires seat is reduntant.

 

DSCN1856_zpsmzm81vfd.jpg

 

I'm not a rivet counter, but the ejection seat gives a high appearance to the model, so i want to do it right.

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

 

 

What about the eduard seat Danny?

I ordered it today at Hannants. Look's like this seat has all the stuff and details that i need, so i'm very curious.

 

Still, thank's for the link Aaron, much appreciated my friend. :)

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

Indeed Matt, that's a real nice looking MB.7 seat, that's also the reason from the moment i saw yesterday you're photo appear to look out for the Eduard C2 seat.

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

Hi Gent's,

 

i made a change of plans regarding the cockpit.whistle.gif

 

Today i started on the kit's cockpit tub, together with the help of some Eduard PE and colored PE i will try to make a kick ""s cockpitevil_laugh.gif

 

First thing to do, was remove the detail on the side panels.

 

Italeri detail, which is rather nice

 

DSCN1864_zps6fnbmoca.jpg

 

And after the remove of the detail, the cockpit is now ESCI detail standardinnocent.gif

 

DSCN1866_zpslnhqmrzt.jpg

 

One of the most common shortcomings of both the kit cockpit and the CMK cockpit tubs is the lack of the downwards hatch to remove the ejecton seat.

Eduard has made this little detail in the form of PE and i must say, it look's very convincing.

 

I prepared the PE part's with the help of my new excellent Ushi Van Der Rosten helping tool.

 

DSCN1870_zps7vvr0wmr.jpg

 

DSCN1869_zpsoo0tx4zm.jpg

 

First i had to make a square hole into the tub's floor.

 

DSCN1871_zps2ajrqssj.jpg

 

After that, i glued the hatch PE part's into the cockpit tub.

 

I must say, the appearance look's much better now.

 

DSCN1873_zps8uerewqg.jpg

 

DSCN1874_zpslbfiiqfd.jpg

 

That's all for now folk's.

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

Today, the Eduard Brassin C2 ejection seat was delivered to my doorstepfrantic.gif

 

You guy's can guess, i was very curioushmmm.gif

 

DSCN1884_zpsdn9nwujz.jpg

 

Ok, that's for later, now, let me show you guy's how the Eduard wheels turned out.

 

Yesterday evening i tackled the Eduard Brassin wheel set, and i must say, things went very smooth.

Removal of the casting blocks was a piece of cake, and within 30 minutes all was cleaned and glued.

 

After cleaning

 

DSCN1882_zpsfcbjui3z.jpg

 

And after all was put together

 

DSCN1883_zpsb2jk6dvk.jpg

 

Ok, now the C2 ejection seat.

 

Overall quality of the Eduard Brassin C2 ejection seat is very excellent. Very sharp details, and in my opinion the best of the four i looked at. The package contains even the seat belt's in colored PE ( ok, some like it, some will not) and even a decal sheet with the ejection seat placards, and that's a nice surprise.

 

DSCN1894_zpswn2s2fam.jpg

 

Ok now compensation of the four seat's, i let you guy's decide witch you like the most, but for me it's the Eduard seat for sure.

 

DSCN1886_zpsyktphkcy.jpg

 

DSCN1887_zpshvclyihp.jpg

 

DSCN1889_zps9uf3qvd2.jpg

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

Today, i did some detail work regarding the cockpit area behind the ejection seat.

 

First a dry-fit of the Eduard ejection seat.

 

DSCN1900_zpsxrm5f01o.jpg

 

DSCN1899_zpsu2mxfd7u.jpg

 

The fit is perfect, so i could go on with the work. 

 

The kit's rudder pedals where removed, and replaced by Eduard PE examples.

 

DSCN1901_zpsockkuorm.jpg

 

Now the aft bulkhead. I will use the kit part, which is ok, but it lacks a little bit of detail, so i decided to add some scratch items.

 

First the bulkhead with the ejection seat guide rail.

 

DSCN1906_zpsjvi2qube.jpg

 

Italeri forget to mold one of the heating diffusers on the left side of the ejection seatdoh.gif so i needed to make a new one.

 

DSCN1905_zpssodcmsdk.jpg

 

For these heating diffusers i used some PE grating, to give them a more or less realistic appearance. The second heating diffuser was made from the one molded on the bulkhead of the CMK set.

I added some plumbing and wiring, all made from sprue and copper wire.

The two white evergreen strip that are glued on the ejection seat rails, hide some damage done by me when i removed the rails from the casting blocks.BANGHEAD2.jpg

 

DSCN1918_zps6qskthqo.jpg

 

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After the installment of the ejection seat not much will be seen anymore.

 

DSCN1925_zpseubezgsg.jpg

 

DSCN1927_zpsqeer8n7h.jpg

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

 

 

but i think i wouldn't go through all the changes, though seeing your effort makes me wonder why not??.... 

Thank's Jack for you're nice comment. :)

 

Iff you chose to build this beast OOB, it would be a good choice, because the details are fairly good. Using some aftermarket items will give you more work, but the end result would be much better.

 

 

 

These seats would have given me a headache. I'll follow your lead here  ;)

Believe me James, it gave me at some point also headache :angry:

 

Thank's for the nice comment :)

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

 

I guess the world is telling me I need new kits.

Jim....it's a great kit, overal quality OOB is nice, fit is quit good, and with some aftermarket you can add some extra detail.

 

So what keep's you from staying away :D

 

Greetz mate and thank you for the nice comment :)

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest DannyVM

Again, a small update regarding my 104 bird, still busy with the cockpit, this time the two side walls of the cockpit.

I used some goodies from the CMK cockpit and added some scratch stuff.

 

First the kit's detail, which are rather very sparse, and very visible a huge sink markfight.gif .....on both sides.

 

Right side

 

DSCN1932_zpsxcorfboc.jpg

 

Left side

 

DSCN1933_zps183ooctw.jpg

 

The recessed detail was cut away and the sink mark was filled with some Evergreen disc's and some thinned Tamiya putty.

 

DSCN1935_zpsm7xtapjc.jpg

 

DSCN1936_zpsiyhrpdvo.jpg

 

And finally sanded with different grids to get a smooth surface

 

DSCN1940_zpsrmjjwemj.jpg

 

Like i said before, i used some stuff of the CMK cockpit, and added some scratch stuff.

 

Right side

 

DSCN1945_zpscdszhx33.jpg

 

Now i see that the air scoop handle isn't quit aligned when i glued it onto it's place, i need to redo that.

 

DSCN1948_zpsrywrcdbh.jpg

 

Left side

 

DSCN1950_zpsqjs8ppap.jpg

 

DSCN1951_zps2r8kmlwb.jpg

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

 

Great start Danny!!  Nice wiring.

I'm sure you'll take your time and turn out another show stopper.

Thank's Jeroen for the nice comment. :)

 

The time i have is rather sparse at the moment, due to work and familial affairs (my fathers illness), so i hope that i can start soon with full force on this lovely project.

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

 

Impressed by your work, here. Going to be a great build, no doubt.

Best wishes for your dad, Danny - keep the faith.

Thank's allot for the nice comment, G. it's much appreciated :) .

 

I sure will do, thank's G. for the encouraging word's :)

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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  • 3 weeks later...
Guest DannyVM

I found some time to paint a little on the C2 ejection seat.

 

There's lot that need to been done yet, but for now this is how it look's.

 

DSCN1996_zpsnwvt5ajs.jpg

 

DSCN1995_zpsjos7x0nl.jpg

 

DSCN1994_zps8dxnmfkg.jpg

 

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DSCN1992_zpsz0hdyodc.jpg

 

DSCN1991_zpsb4znt1iq.jpg

 

Next step are the seat belts and a wash.

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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Guest DannyVM

I started to add some Eduard colored PE seat belt's onto the ejection seat................to be honest i don't like them at all regarding the color that is used and the grainy appearance. Instead i re-painted them in a more appropriate color.

 

First two pic's with the colored PE added to the seat (not painted yet)

 

DSCN1997_zpsfzrq9auh.jpg

 

DSCN1998_zps2cuotipt.jpg

 

Second two pic's, PE seat belt's re-painted.

 

DSCN2001_zpslcluunfd.jpg

 

DSCN1999_zpsts5sscil.jpg

 

In my opinion, it look's much better now.

 

Greetz

 

Danny

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