Subject: Re: Emailing: F104SASAM.htm
From: "Steve Bamford ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Anthony Manzoli" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 01:36:45 -0800

Hi Anthony,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks for sending it in.   

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com
 
Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Anthony Manzoli 
  To: Steve Bamford ARC 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 3:40 PM
  Subject: Emailing: F104SASAM.htm

        Hasegawa's 1/48 scale F-104S  ASA-M Starfighter

        Model and photos by: Anthony Manzoli

        The Italian Air Forces F-104S 'Rocket' (S meaning " Sparrow") is the most potent version of the unique Starfighter ever built.  The S version is an upgraded and improved variant of the original F104G that was built under licence in Italy by Fiat.  The aircraft was initially produced to meet a requirement issued by the Italian Air Force, the Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI).  

        The Main Differences between the F-104G and F-104S

          a.. J79-GE Dash-17 or Dash-19 engine 

          b.. Alenia 'Aspide' version of the AIM-7 Sparrow missile

          c.. Cannon replaced by a radar target acquisition device and an auxiliary fuel tank (only exception are some of the planes of 37 Stormo, still have cannons)

          d.. Strengthened landing gear

          e.. Wider wheels tyres

          f.. Bulged Gear Doors

          g.. Additional pair of ventral fins

          h.. Angle of attack of the cental ventral fin set at 45 degrees

          i.. Slightly wider air intake with more oval cone

          j.. Wider dorsal air intakes (functioning only on the ground) 

          k.. More protruding exhaust cone 15cm/ 5.6 inches with a different design

          l.. Armed with Italian derivative of the Sparrow, the Alenia "Aspide", similar in shape

          m.. IR sensor under the windscreen removed

          n.. Cone antennas (1 under and 1 above the cockpit)

          o.. Tail sensor after the belly fins

          p.. Little bulges at both sides of the tail, near the serial numbers

        I chose to build my 104 S as the ASA-M Starfighter of 37 Stormo.  This would be one of the latest Starfighters to serve with the Italian Air Force.   The AMI are now operating around 60 F-104S/ASA-M's.  The delivery of the last F-104S marked the end of the Starfighter production throughout the world, with a total of 2579 being built in the U.S., Canada, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands.  The more powerful J79-GE-19 engine of the F-104S provided vastly improved acceleration, rate of climb, and manoeuvrability at all speeds and altitudes.  In addition, the lower specific fuel consumption of this engine allowed for increased range, making the F-104S the most potent Starfighter to be built.  Unique looks, unique performance and still being used in combat zones.  Not too bad for a jet aircraft nearly 40 years old.  

        Construction: There have been many articles written on the Hasegawa F104 kits and they are all basically the same.  The fit is exceptional and the kit goes together with a nice tight fit.  The only comment I can make is that I chose to use the Aires cockpit which was not a drop in, and I ended up having to do some modification to get it to squeeze in.  The only other problem which has been addressed by others are the ejector pin marks on the wings and control surfaces.  These can be easily smoothed out with some light sanding or using filler such as CA glue, or liquid paper.   

        Paint and finish:  The over all colour for the "low vis" scheme is 'Gregio Medio Opaco' FS 36231.   I used Gunze medium sea grey lightened with a few drops of matte white.  The panel lines were preshaded with matte black and then the main colour was applied.  When the paint was dry I diluted Tamiya Smoke and carefully post shades selected panel lines and areas where oil or exhaust might stain.  The kit was left to dry over night before the clear gloss coat was applied.  I used Johnson's Shine Magic airbrushed lightly until a gloss coat was achieved.  The kit was left to dry over night once more before it was ready for the decals.  The decals are from the Sky Models Italian F104 sheet.  This is a beautiful sheet with enough decals to do quite a few F104 G's and S models.  Once the decals were on I added the final touches of weathering by applying a very diluted wash of Citadel black ink along the panel lines.  With the decals and weathering done, the last step was the matte coat.  I use Tamiya Flat Base mixed with the Shine Magic.  The final details included painting the landing gear and landing gear bays with Tamiya aluminium, painting the pitot tube, the nozzle with Model Masters Burnt Metal, and the navigation lights with clear orange for the rear, clear blue for the starboard side and clear red for the port side.  

        Final Notes: I really enjoyed building and finishing this kit and I plan on doing more of the Starfighters, possibly in some of the other schemes of the Italian Air Force.  I highly recommend the 104 kit for anyone wishing to build a jet fighter.  

                 

        References: Andy Evans 'Last of the Rocketeers' Italian F-104S ASA-M Starfighter in Detail. Military in Scale April 2001 Issue No. 101

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