1/48 Hasegawa CF-104D Done 01/03/2012

[Fumbles]

He we go.. Back to 1/48 scale kits. I'll be able to work on this without having to squint my eyes so much. I have been waiting to build this kit for some time. Knowing that Hasegawa was releasing it. I waited and waited. I bought this kit on boxing day here in Canada as well as many other kits with my years worth of "Hobby Cash." When it's 25% off... you just have to make the best of the savings. I'll be using various Aclads to finish this kit. I will also be using the Aires TF-104 tub and seats.. But with a little Eduard mixed in.. Plus add some Eduard external photo etch.

First shot is my box of goodies that recently arrived from hannants... My parts are in there somewhere.


Next up the box shot with the addon's


Now the sprues... Lots and lots of detail.. mmmmm
















Lots of clear parts...


And the decal sheet..

[Jamesv9820]

Look forward to seeing the 104 develop - I also see you got the Eduard Su-22 - have you had a look inside yet? I have bought one just after Christmas and it look a nice kit, even though the molds do not look great. The decals and schemes look cracking with its 4 -5 tone schemes!

[scotthldr]

Watching this one progress

I also see you've bought the SU22 and Begemont decals although I think they're for the SU24, anything special in mind

[Fumbles]

Alright.. Just a small update... I would say that the cockpit is 90% done. I still have to add a little dirt and pick out some more details. But before I do that. I have started sanding away the excess resin and trying out the test fitting. The tub almost fits in the fuselage. I think a little more sanding and some more cutting of plastic will get it in there. Once the cockpit is done. The rest of the kit should go together pretty fast.

The best picture I can get of the cockpit tonight.. Mind the excess resin dust.


Last three shots for tonight is a test fit.. For some reason when I take the pictures on a white background, it makes the gray look blueish gray... I'll get better shots later before sealing the kit up.


Small gap looking down.


Very large gap on the bottom.. Alot of sanding of the tub is needed here.




As usuall... I'll be building the seats near last.. I have no idea why I do that. I just like to add the final detail in the end.

[Fumbles]

I forgot to add... Regarding the SU-22... It sure is a nice looking kit. I think when it is done.. She will be one of those top shelf displays.
Scott as far as the Begemont decals... I bought those for the SU-24 that I'll be doing up in your group build this summer. But looking at the same decals.. they do look like you could get them on the Su-22 as well.. hmmmm

[scotthldr]

Looking good Rod. Instead of hours of sanding away, have you tried fretting away the excess resin with a scalpel blade then sand to a finish. It's a lot quicker.

[Deacon]

Great start mate.

Looking forward with the next update.

Alan

[Fumbles]

Thanks for the interest in this build. I have now got the kit sealed up and I am at the final stages of gap checks. One thing about Hasegawa. You never really have many gaps or huge fit issues. (Knock on wood)
Scott.. as far as using a knife to get rid of the excess resin. I do that once I get rid of the big chunks with a dremel on low power. I was just amazed on how much I had to take away on the tub for the fit on this one though. In some areas of the Aries Tub. I would say the bottom is very near cut right through. I know I saw daylight near the rudder peddles... All and all.. the tub is now fitted and the rest of the fuselage fit around it rather nice.

So here is where I am now. First three shots are of the beginning of gap checks. I'm really trying not to have any.. even real small ones. I have a nasty feeling any small gaps will show with the Alclads as big seagull poop on a shiny black car..





Intakes looking pretty good with very little filler.


Last shot till tomorrow. Gap checks just about done. Moving on to the glass and masking. Some more photo etch added.


As I type this. The gap checks are complete. I have one last spot to sand and add some rivets that I sanded off. Then it will be the coat of gloss Black. I'll update tomorrow how that goes.

[scotthldr]

And so the excitement builds on both sides of the "Pond" Looking good so far. I remember building a Hasegawa F104G a few years back and as you say the fit is pretty near spot on all round.

[RoverDriver]

m

[markmarples]

looking good i cant wait to see the ALCLAD i love the stuff

[Fumbles]

Just one shot of the gloss black.. This is the second and last coat of gloss black. The first was very thin. Then it was sanded down and washed. Now this coat has gone on near flawless. The Alclads should go on near perfect now.. (Knock on wood) I just have to wait another day maybe two. Enamels paints. Now I remember why I switched.

[Fumbles]

wohoo! I think the scary part is over. The main paint of the Alclads.. I had the polished aluminum go wrong on me once on another kit. Trying to repair it was a right pain in the rear. The starfighter's base layer of polished aluminum went on without a hitch. Now I'm in the middle of using various Alclads from burnt iron, dark aluminum and airframe aluminum.. Maybe a few more shades and shines.
Some of the shine has faded since the first two shots. I'll have to polish it up a little more before a sealed in clear coat. Three shots for now. The third I took tonight with a Canadian Remembrance 25 cent coin to see what reflection was left.





And this is where I am tonight.

[Screechy]

Nice nice nice! looks spanky... great job so far

[scotthldr]

Great progress, liking the contrast between the Red, Silver and the White, a nice change from the usual drab colourschemes

[Tug 747]

Looking stunning really like the quality of the paint work.

[Fumbles]

Thanks for the comments and thanks for watching this build. I was going to update the thread with a almost done post. But I had the day off today and was able to finish the kit. The only thing I didn't finish is whether the canopy will be open or closed. If I can find some ladders. I'll have them open. I'll decide later. So here she is... The first three shots where from a day or so ago.







Last three are from tonight with a finished kit. I am very happy with the way this one turned out. I used a little Eduard with the Aries cockpit and seats. Finished off with 6 different Alclads.

Sorta close up of the seats.


Finshed.

[Graham R]

Thats an absoloute belter Rod well done

[Mr Flibble]

Love it, Rod!
Superb metallic finish.
Love the red tanks too.

[Screechy]

Truly scrumptious. A very very nice build. Congrats

[nigelblake]

Wow that really is pretty, very nice job!

[DanO1978]

Superb, Rod. Nicely done.

[ArabJazzie]

Im slowly trying to catch up with you guys but you keep on raising the bar!
Arabest,
Geoff.

[Deacon]

That is brilliant mate.

Well done sir.

Alan

[Westy]

Thats a job well done - excellent finish