Hasegawa 1/72 F-104G/S Starfighter

HASEGAWA 1:72 F-104S/F-104G STARFIGHTER
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Mark B (SMAKR Webmaster)
- A Built up review of this kit exists on this site - see the respective fully built kit review index to locate review

Kit: Hasegawa Kit No: D17 (or DT 17) 1/72 F-104S/F-104G Starfighter

Aircraft: The needle-like profile of the F-104 Starfighter is perhaps one of the most distinctive US Fighter shapes out of the 1960's and led to nicknames such as "Manned Missile". As a little boy I used to think there was nothing faster in the sky than this aircraft by virtue of its design - mind you it was when it was flying in the skies! It was a powerful supersonic interceptor with a light airframe. The West German Luftwaffe acquired a number of examples for their inventory and these were designated F-104G, likewise the Italians purchased a number known as the F-104S, which were the longest serving F-104's in active service.

Parts: This is a hybrid kit with many components making up various different F-104 versions. Two plastic bags are provided, one with four sprues of clean light grey injection molded parts and the other containing the clear sprue and Italian decal sheet. The West German decal sheet floats loosely in the box. Three sprues are common to all F-104 variants while the remainder is for F-104J/S/G. I should point out that the instructions show five sprues, it appears there are two smaller sprues joined together by a thin strand of sprue in my kit. All up there are about 70 injection molded parts and 10 clear components, including three piece canopy - yum!

Instructions: You get the feeling you almost have two kits in one by virtue of the box showing two versions and having two decal sheets. You also get two instructions sheets as well! Both are essentially the same in format, one for the F-104G and the other for the F-104S models. Both have a dozen assembly steps that are almost identical and at first glance you would be forgiven for thinking they were exactly the same. Except the most obvious difference is the S sheet has much more stores info and of course that are slight variations between the two (like three antennaes for the G compared to 2 in the S instructions). Obviously color call outs for overall schemes and individual components are different - both quoted in Mr Color and Gunze Sangyo ranges. The F-104S instruction sheet shows four view diagram for its main Italian example and decal placement and sideview profiles of the two other examples it provides for. Likewise for the F-104G, except it essentially provides four view diagrams for all four German examples it provides for in the kit.

Versions: Because the kit essentially has two sets of instructions and decal sheets for the two different F-104 variants it provides the modeller with a choice of seven examples to replicate. Each variant and the versions produced are:
F-104G: Four West German versions, two Luftwaffe examples from JBG 34 and JBG 31 with three tone Dark Green (Black Green, Olive and Green) and upper Olive drab and Neutral Grey over silver underside camouflage schemes respectively. Two Marineflieger examples make up the remaining versions from MFG 1 and MFG 2, both in upper Netural Grey and lower Silver schemes.
F-104S: Three examples from Italian Air Force - 23 Gruppo 5 Stormo; 12 Gruppo 36 Stormo; and 9 Gruppo 4 Stormo. The latter two are in overall natural metal while the first example has natural metal undersides and an upper camouflaged scheme in Dark Green and Dark Sea Grey - the subject shown on the boxart.

Decals: As already stated two decal sheets are provided, one covering the West German F-104G examples and the other for the Italian F104S versions. Both sheets are identical - in terms of what they provide, obviously different to the variants they are covering. Plenty of stencilling is provided as well as the decals for instrument panel, roundels, unit badges, serials etc. Colour has a semigloss finish and is in typically very good register. A few smaller decals are a bit blurry because of their size I guess. The green dots for the Italian roundel is very dark - almost black (could be the light I am under). The only real criticism is that some of the white backing is uneven around the edges of the affected decals - for example the West German insignia almost looks off centre because the white outline on the black cross is thicker on one side than the other.

Accuracy: I have heard that this is typically an accurate Hasegawa production on both examples (which is the main reason I bought it). However, the main differences between the S and G model are that on the S model: different ventral strakes, new intakes with auxiliary door, gun port plugs, rear RWAH blisters and generally non-carriage of underwing pylons. Some of these are not represented in the kit, and I believe a cutting edge set has been released to help with the differences.

Detail: Panel lines are all very finely raised with engraved control surfaces. Surface detail is quite good, and there is some small plumbing detail for the wheel wells. The cockpit gets an 'adequate' fit out with tub, seat, instrument panel (which is a clear part!) and control column. The seat is made up of three pieces then a fourth for the shoulder harness set. Decals are provided for main and side instrument panels - although both have raised console detail which could be picked out with some drybrushing, especially the side panels. Overall the detail is quite good.

Options: Not much and while the F-104S instruction sheet suggests lots of missiles can be added, you will have to get these from another source as only large drop tanks for underwing and wingtip pylongs are provided. Only other option is the open cockpit thanks to a three piece canopy set - a frame hinge is also provided.

Impressions: No major hassles revealed when dry fitting components - fuselage bits and wings as well as engine cowlings. I didn't try the intake covers over the splitter plates lest I forget which is right and which is left when I come to build! The fuselage is broken up into four pieces - a pair of halves for the nose to intake section and likewise for the tail section, all split vertically. Tail fin and nose section are molded as part of the fuselage sections. The exhaust has a long 'pipe' going to the rear with turbofan at one end and the exhaust nozzle at the other. The kit looks like it will build into a decent replica of the F-104 versions depicted and also looks like a relatively quick build. I am not impressed with the stores provided in the kit - looks like the spares box will be raided. The cockpit isn't bad - especially for a Hasegawa offering - and not stated above is also a clear part for a HUD. Some holes need to be drilled - mainly for belly stores. Other than a few gripes on what the kit provides I think this will build into quite a good replica of either F-104 version and I'd highly recommend it.

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