Introduction

The F-104C entered service with USAF Tactical Air Command (TAC) as a multi-role fighter and fighter-bomber. The 479th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at George AFB, California, was the first unit to be equipped with the type, in September 1958.

Commencing with Operation Rolling Thunder, the Starfighter was used both in the air-superiority and air-support roles. On April 19th, 1965, the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) of the 479th TFW arrived at Da Nang AB to help protect US F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers against MiG-17s and especially MiG-21s that were beginning to be flown by the Vietnamese People’s Air Force (VPAF).

Twenty-one strike and AAA-suppression sorties were flown against targets in NVN, but the great majority of the 476th's ground attack sorties were in-country CAS missions flown while under the control of airborne FACs. From these CAS missions, the F-104s quickly gained a reputation for accuracy with their cannon and bombs, and were specifically requested by FACs on numerous occasions because of their fast reaction time

The Kit

Despite being dated way back to 2000, this Hasegawa offering still holds up to more recent releases by Kinetic - for much friendlier price tag. Quality was what expected from Hasegawa's production, with crisp detailing, recessed panel lines, and good fit and engineering.

The kit came with 1 clear sprue and 13 grey sprues, some of which were cast in somewhat softer, tannish grey PS holding the main fuselage and other high-detail parts. Some vinyl polycaps were provided for the fitting of main landing gears. The kit surfaces were rich in rivet details, though one note must be taken that the rivet on flying surfaces such as wings and tail fins must be puttied smooth much like the real thing. The gun port was nicely hollow as did its associated vents.

Build starts with the cockpit, as usual. the instrument and side panel details were all raised and took dry brushing really well. The multi-part ejection seat is decent, though i replaced mine with resin kit from Quickboost. While at it, I bought resin avionic bay set from Black Dog which, though designed for Kinetic kit, fit the Hasegawa fuselage like a glove. All I had to do was cut away few panels behind the cockpit and made a mounting from plasticard for positive fit, resin doors for the avionic bays are provided so don't hesitate to destroy all that plastic!

The main landing gear well was a multi-part job, with bulkheads and keel that function as fuselage former like the real thing. The nose gear well, uniquely, was cast into the lower fuselage panel which again very rich in vent details. Last thing before closing up the fuselage was to attach the exhaust burner can to the tail section, though I learned that one can just cut off the alignment pins and simply "slide" the can into the closed-up fuselage from the hole on the back.

What i didn't understand was Hasegawa provided clear parts for fuselage lights but didn't include them in the instruction. All one had to do was drill 1,5mm holes in the center of the fuselage light framings (two pairs in the rear section aft of the airbrakes and one on each exhaust sides, plus one on each of wingtip tanks if used) and chuck the clear parts from inside.

After the fuselage is glued together, came the various exterior attachments. the airbrakes could be posed open, though i elected to build them closed. The nosecone was split into two parts top and bottom. Again, Black Dog offered resin radar set to add detail to the region but I choose to close it up as instructed, of course after putting a brass bolt to weigh the nose down.

The jet intakes were another multi-part job ensuring immaculate details on the shock cone and splitter plate, as well as the wings which had separate flaps and leading edges with razor sharp edges. The all flying stabilator was cast in one piece and fit snugly on top of the vertical fin.

The whole kit came together with minimal putty and sanding. After coating the whole surface with black primer, the kit was sprayed with USAF three tone SEA camo of FS30219 Tan, FS34102 Light Green, And FS34079 Dark Green over FS36622 Light Grey, all airbrushed using Mr. Color Lacquer paints followed by a coat of Mr. Super Clear. For the marking I went with 56-0910 "The Pussycat", F-104C of 479th TFW Flown by Capt. James B. Trice out of Udorn RTAFB, as provided by Caracal decal. After all the decals laid out (with some encouragement from Mr. Mark Setter) the kit surface received an overall wash of black and yellow ochre oil paint, then a final coat of clear coat. The Wheel wells and landing gears were all painted in Tamiya Flat Aluminum, weathered by black oil wash, the tires for the main wheels are separate part making the painting a breeze.

As with other Hasegawa kit, the F-104 came with no armaments whatsoever save for the under-fuselage launchers for the AIM-9 Sidewinders. I had to resort to Eduard resins for the two M117 bombs slung under the wings.

Verdict

Hands down the BEST damn kit I've ever built to date. Excellent details and engineering, accurate form and dimensions, reasonable price. All it lacks was armament option, but that's what one has to live with when building Hasegawa kits.