A spectacular model for sure; you've done a wonderful job, Mike. The thread was a pleasure to carouse as you went along.

Beautiful build - very inspiring. The stencilling and the paint job really looks great.

Thanks for sharing

Mike,
1st and foremost, congratulations on crossing the finish line on a truly outstanding build. It demonstrates that the overall finish/presentation is what is most important, not how much additional detail one adds that counts. Your finished F-104G is an exceptional build, as the finished model is a perfect presentation piece.

I've been along for the ride since day one, and have enjoyed our conversations as you progressed through the build. I've learned some new techniques that I'll try out. You're a braver man then I for using a decal with all that clear film for the seals on the side glass of the windscreen. I'm quite confident that if I had attempted that, it would have been wrinkle city. I would have opted for cutting the decal into strips and eliminating the clear film. Certainly a way longer route, but the end result is that your efforts are 100% perfect.

Your weathering really turns your build into a true replica. Not overly done, yet offers the viewer a operational aircraft that is well maintained. The area around the exhaust can, and the drop tanks are perfect examples of that technique. Truly well done.

Mike, I guess you can tell that I'm really impressed with your completed build. Looking forward to following along on your next one.

Joel

Ben, Jesper and Joel. Thanks for following along and glad you enjoyed the build. It took a lot longer than I anticipated, mainly due to bench time being limited (wife launched a jewelry making business, 2 busy teenage boys and work schedules from hell, all took their toll). Joel, I was worried about the carrier film being an issue and did seriously think about cutting each side out, but thought, what the hell, let's give it a go. My luck doesn't usually hold out in these situations! Glad to be able to share a tip or two and your positive appraisal of the model means a lot. Cheers!

Mike,
I really enjoyed following along, and like I've posted, learned a few things along the way.

Believe me, even at my age, I still have work schedule issues, family issues, house issues, and just misc. issues that keep on popping up that conspire to cut into my modeling time. Of course fishing isn't considered an issue, so come season, it doesn't count.
Joel

Has to be one of the nicest 104's I've seen in a long time. I'm not a big fan of camo paint schemes on any of the century series jets, but this one looks really, really good. Excellent job on fading the light and dark areas together and beautiful weathering without over doing it.

Really beautiful job.

Outstanding 'Spillone'! Man, can you believe these flew until 2004? F-104S looks so good decked out in Sidewinders and Sparrows or Aspides.

In Oct. 2007 I sold my 1/32 F-104S at a show prior to moving. Now i really want it back!

Mike, superb work.

This is an interesting PDF:

General information regarding the
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
An overview of its history, specs and technology
16-05-2005

http://www.rolfferch.de/F104G/Paper_F104.pdf


In it: "Super Starfighter manoeuvring flaps result in
up to 50 per cent reduction in airplane turn
radius for combat manoeuvres. "

Hi Fred, thanks for posting that.