AMT (ESCI) 1:72 F-104C/G STARFIGHTER

Reviewer: Gavin Wauchope  (rec.models.scale)

The manned missile - flying coffin - widow maker, all are some terms that were given to the F-104 Starfighter after some atrocious accidents cost some good pilots their lives in operating countries.  The aircraft is a tiny straight wing design that flew in the 50's and entered service as the F-104A Starfighter before being grounded due to problems.   Later it emerged in the definitive F-104C model and from that came the offspring F-104G model used by the West German air force.  The Starfighter flew at over twice the speed of sound and is popular among aviation enthusiasts.

I'm a keen F-104 enthusiast and would not pass up another opportunity to build this remarkable bird.  I picked up this AMT version very cheaply which is basically the US reboxing kit of the ESCI F-104C/G kit.  For a small plane it comes in a big box with spectacular boxart and plenty of parts to use.  The parts are injection molded and look crisp enough to produce a nice quality kit. Detail is quite acceptable with finely engraved panel lines.

In the box you get the different components to build the C or G model such as the tail unit and ejection seats.  I notice a few non-used parts could also be used to make a conversion project into an Italian F-104S model but that's for later.  Mind you, the S version has bulged main gear doors due to the larger wheels, which isn't provided for in this kit.

Cockpit detail is adequate but nothing else with nicely rendered ejection seats, instrument panels and side consoles (with decals) plus a control stick.  With a bit of effort and forecasting a closed cockpit one can make a reasonable effort within. I believe there is a True Details set available (possibly for the Hasegawa F-104 family) that could be used but I just used what was in the box plus a bit of scratchbuilding techniques. 

Fit of all the major components is quite good although the forward and tail section join is a bit harrowing.  Spend some time here to carefully sit it correctly to avoid any later disappointment.  Dry fit testing is also recommended for all the parts as some need a touch of trimming to ensure a snug fit.  A little bit of sanding and filling was required but nothing to scream and pull hair about. 

The undercarriage and accessories had nice detail scribed onto them in spite of a few ejector pin marks.  They went together without any real hassles and looked good afterward.  Nose weight is desirable in this model although I can't tell you whether it is specifically required - the instructions do not hint at this.  The canopy can only be molded in the closed position unless you want to do some cutting, and is thankfully nice and clear.  A fair bit of options for stores is included in the kit with four sidewinders and four tanks to be mounted on wingtip, underwing and fuselage pylons.

The kit allows you to produce one of three colourful schemes: Last flight of WTD61, West German Air Force; Red Indian 421 Sqn Canadian Air Force; and an Orange coloured drone from the USAF.  The decals are produced by Scalemaster and are of very good quality.   There are also plenty of aftermarket decal sets available if none of these appeal to you.  For something different and being the 'Needle' fanatic (affectionate nickname to some F-104's) I am I chose the colourful Luftwaffe version.  This is the final flight scheme before the type retired from service.  Upper wings are painted in a rendition of the German Flag - yellow, red and black - and the rest of the aircraft is painted in overall off-white.  The decal sheet has some colourful blue stripes and flashes for the fin and fuselage and along with the other markings conform to the surface very nicely.  I was very happy with this scheme, it is very colourful and looks excellent.  It's made itself a real talking point of my model cabinet where it sits as the 'centrepiece'.

I have heard that the Esci boxing of this same kit (AMT have released this Esci engineered kit under licence in USA and Australia) does have a few differences, mainly the decal sheet, ejection seats and canopy.  AMT's replacements for all these components is said to be better - especially the ejection seats which are not accurate in Esci form.   From what I have also heard the Esci kit masquerades as an F-104G/S kit (as the F-104S was used by the Italian Air Force) and again this is not a good thing, because a few differences for the S model - namely the undercarriage and doors touched on above - is not catered for.  The model can only really accurately depict the C or G model and AMT is the better buy.

For the price I got this kit it is an exceptional buy.  While Hasegawa would chew it up and spit it out for quality it is still a very nice representation of this spectacular aircraft.  If it were the only choice on the market (or nothing was better) then you would be very happy with just having this one to use.  My Manned Missiled collection is building up as we speak and I am quite content with this example as the main focus of my collection (purely because of its finish).  Well worth the dough and if you are able to secure one then it will be a good purchase. Highly recommended.

Related Reviews:  Monogram 1/72 F-104C Starfighter 

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Photo Credit: Unknown

A Luftwaffe F-104G example - but without the colour and glory depicted on the decal sheet