Construction - F-104J Eikō

1
August 30, 2020
After applying a base coat of blue-grey MRP, it was time to mask the headrest.
2
August 30, 2020
Nice thing about 1:48, it's actually possible to airbrush such small areas. Moving on to wires and other seat details.
3
January 22, 2021
The seat is now complete. These photos are of the current status, after I dropped it on the floor and had to fix many broken-off pieces.
4
January 22, 2021
Disaster! I dropped all the pieces on the floor. Some are lost forever, here is all I could still find. Just before putting the fuselage together 🙁
5
January 22, 2021
Also the post-fix state, after dropping it on the floor.
6
January 22, 2021
The instruments panel took the most damage. Various handles are gone and I couldn't find them anymore. Luckily, it's unlikely they would be visible on the completed model anyway.
7
May 4, 2021
An update long time coming - after priming and covering in alclad aluminium, started to mask the colorful parts. White doesn't cover it too well, but should look interesting after weathering.
Tamiya masking tape doesn't last long with this style of masking.
8
July 15, 2021
Preparing lights and wiring on the landing gear doors.
9
July 15, 2021
I'm worried about this one, it's very thin and flimsy, wonder whether it's a good idea to use, or leave the front landing gear OOB.
10
July 18, 2021
First time airbrushing translucent Tamiya paints. Thinned with Mr Leveling Thinner, all good!
11
July 18, 2021
Weathering starts.
12
August 19, 2021
At last, it's time to take a closer look at the engine. Layers of Alclad steel, burned iron, pale burned metal and jet exhaust, followed by Vallejo grey and dry-brushed black and dark brown. I'm considering adding small dots of dark rust and a light wash of oils.
13
August 26, 2023
Completed, view from top
14
August 26, 2023
Completed, view from side

Comments

33 30 August 2020, 08:17

Konrad -
Count me in here!
Looking good so far!

Bad thing with all the lost parts but anyhow keep up the good work!

22 January 2021, 12:24

Michael Phillips
Wow, amazing work so far... that seat and all that harnessing is the stuff of my nightmares!

22 January 2021, 14:09

Slavo Hazucha
48-scale an all different world - provided the model is not an upscaled 72 like some Zvezda kits... 😄

I hope you are enjoying this as much as I did, the seat definitely looks like it! You really worked out all those beautiful details with the wash & paint-job 👍

22 January 2021, 20:20

John
Excellent work so far. I have Eduard's Bundesfighter version of the F-104 and I am looking forward to getting it on my bench. I feel bad for the pilot of that machine as he has to strap himself into the ejection seat with a cargo net. ?

19 July 2021, 01:19

Clifford Keesler
Looking very nice.

19 July 2021, 02:11

Slavo Hazucha
Uh-hah-ho - this is going somewhere! 🙂

Nice job on all the colors & I see you got them pesky ejector pin holes smoothened up better than I have 😄

7 August 2021, 19:06

Palo M
Some minor engine progress today - getting there!

19 August 2021, 21:23

Clifford Keesler
The exhaust is looking awesome.

21 August 2021, 00:32

Palo M
Thank you, Clifford! I was afraid to even start, it never turned to my liking before. Guess I got lucky this time! Not visible in the photo yet: some specks of bronze and an oil wash. Will come in th final photos.
In the meantime, I turned to the landing gear, which might still see a wash of paint remover.

BTW, love your Tornado, looks awesome

21 August 2021, 08:19

Spanjaard
Looking really great!

21 August 2021, 08:37

Palo M
Thank you Spanjaard. Getting final oils in place and hope to share final photos soon. This one took its time.

21 August 2021, 10:47

Clifford Keesler
Thank you for the like on the Tornado Palo, I am betting this 104 is going to be a stunner.

21 August 2021, 18:56

Palo M
I finished this one a long time ago, just didn't get around uploading final images. Here is a side and top view, I think it turned out well. Eduard's decals were very nice (except for one which I tore), on a metal finish it's nice to peel off the transparent layer.

26 August 2023, 09:21

Clifford Keesler
Very nice looking F-104 sir.

4 September 2023, 21:00

Palo M
Thank you Clifford!

5 September 2023, 07:35