BSteinIPMS
9th April 2005, 04:21
A review of Armour/Franklin Mint’s 1/48 scale F-104C
This model is shown on the Franklin Mint Web site at: http://www.franklinmint.com/Product1.aspx?SID=2&Product_ID=354&Category_ID=93
This model represents a Lockheed F-104C-5-LO, serial number 56-891, assigned to the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing at George Air Force Base in California. This was the personal mount of Col. George Laven, Jr., the wing commander and former World War II P-38 ace.
This was the first C-model accepted by Tactical Air Command, and this event took place at the annual fighter weapons meet at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 15 October 1958. The aircraft’s name “Really George” is a bit of a double entendre: it refers both to the pilot and the aircraft’s home base. The F-104s of this period were colorful and this example is surely one of the gaudier of the breed.
Cast in 1/48 scale, this a large, substantial, and hefty model with presence. It measures 14” long and has a 6” wingspan. It is primarily metal with the following plastic parts: wingtip fuel tanks, landing gear doors, ventral fin, canopy, engine inlet shock cones, and the portion of the intake ducts extending aft for 1 ½” from the inlets.
Overall the model gives a very good impression of the “Zipper” and I’m pleased to have it. I would rate it as having about average quality as judged by my own very subjective standards. The Armour 1/48 scale models are non-limited editions so you may feel free to modify and enhance them.
One of the photos is a view up the back end revealing a very good representation of the afterburner flame retention ring.
I found the following nitpicks:
1. The stabilator or elevator was not glued perpendicular to the vertical fin, but hung one side low. Gentle bending resulted in straightening it without breaking out the epoxy glue holding it in place.
2. The tip tank halves have prominent seams which detract from the model. I covered these with silver decal strips.
3. The tip tanks inboard horizontal fins are longer in span than the outboard ones. These represent the type used by international F-104s which were never seen on the USAF birds. While there are photos of F-104s in USAF markings with these types of tanks, these are international F-104s owned by the Luftwaffe which were operated by the USAF at various training bases such as Luke AFB in Arizona. I trimmed these inboard fins to match the span of the outboard fins.
4. There are no fewer than five screw holes in the belly of the model. I plugged these with plates cut from .005” sheet styrene which were painted silver.
5. The main landing gear forward doors are shown in the open position. These doors would only be open during the gear retraction/extension sequence or for ground maintenance. I left these open for maintenance personnel whom I trust are appreciative of my effort.
6. The tampo printing is done with glossy inks which look out of place on surfaces with a flat or matt finish. Since the wings should be gloss white – not flat - on their upper surfaces and glossy non-corrosion gray on their undersurfaces, I airbrushed these – and other appropriate items – with a clear satin low-sheen finish.
7. The ventral fin did not have the colorful red/yellow/green/blue stripes carried by other parts of the aircraft. I used an aftermarket decal sheet to correct this.
8. The large white “X” on each side of the vertical fin did not extend to the edges of that surface. I used Floquil Reefer White paint to hand-brush the missing areas.
9. The windscreen frames did not converge towards the top of the canopy bow and were missing the smooth curve joining them together. I hand-brushed Floquil Old Silver to create this curve joining the frames.
I drilled out recesses in the plastic tip tanks and the metal fuselage in several places to accommodate the navigation or position lights. The starboard tip tank and engine inlet have green lenses, the port side has red, and the aft fuselage has an amber light above and white light below on the exterior of the afterburner section. There is a single clear navigation/formation light in the fuselage spine just aft of the canopy. These very nice lenses come in various colors as well as clear and have a mirror-like backing. They look exactly like what they are supposed to represent. These are manufactured by MV Products and can be obtained here: http://www.hometown-hobbies.com/mv_products?start=15
The aftermarket decal sheet I used was produced by Albatros Model Works, and is comprised of actually a number of sheets, illustrations, and instructions. It includes markings for quite a few F-104s, including Col. Laven’s aircraft, along with more pieces of tiny stenciling than you’re likely to want to spend the time on. All of the sheets are beautifully rendered and represent good value. A review of this set can be found at: http://www.kitreview.com/reviews/f104albatrosdecalreviewbg_1.htm
A number of books are available on the F-104, some of which are illustrated below.
In summation, and despite the negative remarks above, I think this is a very good model which can be made much better. It’s one which would make a nice – although heavy – addition to your collection. You’d best have lots of room if you begin to acquire more than just a few of these 1/48 scale models. And reinforced shelves as well.
This model is shown on the Franklin Mint Web site at: http://www.franklinmint.com/Product1.aspx?SID=2&Product_ID=354&Category_ID=93
This model represents a Lockheed F-104C-5-LO, serial number 56-891, assigned to the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing at George Air Force Base in California. This was the personal mount of Col. George Laven, Jr., the wing commander and former World War II P-38 ace.
This was the first C-model accepted by Tactical Air Command, and this event took place at the annual fighter weapons meet at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 15 October 1958. The aircraft’s name “Really George” is a bit of a double entendre: it refers both to the pilot and the aircraft’s home base. The F-104s of this period were colorful and this example is surely one of the gaudier of the breed.
Cast in 1/48 scale, this a large, substantial, and hefty model with presence. It measures 14” long and has a 6” wingspan. It is primarily metal with the following plastic parts: wingtip fuel tanks, landing gear doors, ventral fin, canopy, engine inlet shock cones, and the portion of the intake ducts extending aft for 1 ½” from the inlets.
Overall the model gives a very good impression of the “Zipper” and I’m pleased to have it. I would rate it as having about average quality as judged by my own very subjective standards. The Armour 1/48 scale models are non-limited editions so you may feel free to modify and enhance them.
One of the photos is a view up the back end revealing a very good representation of the afterburner flame retention ring.
I found the following nitpicks:
1. The stabilator or elevator was not glued perpendicular to the vertical fin, but hung one side low. Gentle bending resulted in straightening it without breaking out the epoxy glue holding it in place.
2. The tip tank halves have prominent seams which detract from the model. I covered these with silver decal strips.
3. The tip tanks inboard horizontal fins are longer in span than the outboard ones. These represent the type used by international F-104s which were never seen on the USAF birds. While there are photos of F-104s in USAF markings with these types of tanks, these are international F-104s owned by the Luftwaffe which were operated by the USAF at various training bases such as Luke AFB in Arizona. I trimmed these inboard fins to match the span of the outboard fins.
4. There are no fewer than five screw holes in the belly of the model. I plugged these with plates cut from .005” sheet styrene which were painted silver.
5. The main landing gear forward doors are shown in the open position. These doors would only be open during the gear retraction/extension sequence or for ground maintenance. I left these open for maintenance personnel whom I trust are appreciative of my effort.
6. The tampo printing is done with glossy inks which look out of place on surfaces with a flat or matt finish. Since the wings should be gloss white – not flat - on their upper surfaces and glossy non-corrosion gray on their undersurfaces, I airbrushed these – and other appropriate items – with a clear satin low-sheen finish.
7. The ventral fin did not have the colorful red/yellow/green/blue stripes carried by other parts of the aircraft. I used an aftermarket decal sheet to correct this.
8. The large white “X” on each side of the vertical fin did not extend to the edges of that surface. I used Floquil Reefer White paint to hand-brush the missing areas.
9. The windscreen frames did not converge towards the top of the canopy bow and were missing the smooth curve joining them together. I hand-brushed Floquil Old Silver to create this curve joining the frames.
I drilled out recesses in the plastic tip tanks and the metal fuselage in several places to accommodate the navigation or position lights. The starboard tip tank and engine inlet have green lenses, the port side has red, and the aft fuselage has an amber light above and white light below on the exterior of the afterburner section. There is a single clear navigation/formation light in the fuselage spine just aft of the canopy. These very nice lenses come in various colors as well as clear and have a mirror-like backing. They look exactly like what they are supposed to represent. These are manufactured by MV Products and can be obtained here: http://www.hometown-hobbies.com/mv_products?start=15
The aftermarket decal sheet I used was produced by Albatros Model Works, and is comprised of actually a number of sheets, illustrations, and instructions. It includes markings for quite a few F-104s, including Col. Laven’s aircraft, along with more pieces of tiny stenciling than you’re likely to want to spend the time on. All of the sheets are beautifully rendered and represent good value. A review of this set can be found at: http://www.kitreview.com/reviews/f104albatrosdecalreviewbg_1.htm
A number of books are available on the F-104, some of which are illustrated below.
In summation, and despite the negative remarks above, I think this is a very good model which can be made much better. It’s one which would make a nice – although heavy – addition to your collection. You’d best have lots of room if you begin to acquire more than just a few of these 1/48 scale models. And reinforced shelves as well.