Monogram 1/72 F-104C Starfighter

MONOGRAM 1:72 F-104C STARFIGHTER
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Myself (smakr@bigpond.com)
A full build up review of this kit exists on SMAKR - see links below

Kit: Monogram 1/72 F-104C Star Fighter No. 85-5240

There is already a review of this kit done by Gavin Wauchope (see link at the bottom of this page) but I thought I would supplement that review by providing a quick but comprehensive insight into what is inside the kit, in case anything is missing from the review, plus provide my own opinion! :)

Revell has also released this kit - boxart supplied by Kevin Ronayne

Aircraft: The Starfighter's history is well documented and most people are aware of what the manned missile is all about. Suffice to say rather than going into a spiel here (as it is well done in Gavin's review), the F-104C was the main production version used by the USAF.

Parts: A cellophane bag contains all the parts which are about 65 light grey injection mold parts on two sprues and a clear sprue of about 11 parts, but canopy is one-piece. Crisp clean moldings with no flash.

Instructions: 2 A3 (approximately sized) sheets folded to make a booklet with the first page providing information on the kit assembly, including a photo of the completed model and paint colours to use in the kit - quoted from the ProModeler paint range. There are 39 assembly steps which make up most of the booklet but only about 31 are used for construction, which also include a couple of close up profile sketches of things like the exhaust and undercarriage to assist the modeller for optimum placement. That is - steps 26-31 are for Version 1 only (see below) and 32-39 are for Version 2 only - obviously you will omit whichever series of steps depending on which version you are doing. The last two pages provide four-view diagrams of the examples the kit produces and also quotes FS numbers where possible. The Instructions are overall very good but I would seriously recommend reading through them first before commencing construction - it's one of those!

Versions: As already alluded to there are two versions that the kit produces. Version #1 is a camouflaged USAF F-104C "Pussycat" 435th TFS, Lieutenant Joe Nevers, Udon AFB, Thailand. This features the vietnam era FS34102 Green, FS34079 Dark Green and FS30219 Tan camouflage over FS36622 Light Ghost Grey undersides. Version #2 is a Natural Metal USAF F-104C, Group Commander Col. George Laven, Jr, 476th TFS, 479th TFW, George AFB, 1959. A note on the instructions says that this version did not have an arrestor hook at this time, and also features gloss white wings.

Decals: To be honest this is not the best Monogram sheet I have seen. Colour register is not the greatest, the red looks more maroon and the blue bands for the Version 2 is non-life-like (I note in Gavin's review he calls them dull and they are!). The red (er...maroon) stripes on the smaller USAF insignia are off-centre. I would suggest thinking about getting an aftermarket source (plenty of F-104C's around!) to replace these. However, it does provide a decent amount of stencilling as well as a split "US Air Force" which I assume goes eitherside of the refuelling probe on the nose.

Accuracy: Refer to Gavin's review and on the basis of what I see in the box, there is nothing I can see to refute this.

Detail: Panel lines are recessed and surface detail is generally quite good. The wheel wells also contain plumbing detail. The undercarriage is well defined and accurately depicted from my reference sources. The cockpit receives a decent fit out - the three piece ejection seat, instument panel and control stick are all realistic. The seat includes harness detail and rudder pedals are attached to the cockpit tub. Side panels and the main instrument panel all have raised console detail which can be picked out by drybrushing - alternatively decals for all three are also supplied. A clear piece is provided also as a HUD. All in all a well defined and detailed looking kit.

Options: Surprisingly there are quite a few options other than the standard wheels up and down configuration - although the canopy is one-piece which means a closed cockpit unless surgery is done. A refuelling probe is included and although the instructions tell you put this on, I suspect really it should be listed as 'optional' as it is not shown in any other of the instruction sketches at all - in any event you will need to drill out a couple of holes to put it on. Airbrakes can be positioned open or closed with actuating struts provided. Stores include underwing tanks and options for either wingtip tanks or sidewinders plus a pair of missile pylons on centreline pylons just under the intakes.

Impressions: A clean kit which looks like a straightforward build, although I note Gavin's concerns regarding the fit of the components around the breakdown of the fuselage (which is essentially split into forward and rear halves and then split vertically). A quick dry fit of these parts did reveal some possible problems looming, as did the intakes. Otherwise I am sure this kit will go together very well and based on Gavin's review I would also put my hand in and recommend it highly!

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Related Inbox Reviews:-

Monogram picture of the model when completed

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