1/48 Hasegawa F-104 J

[reserve]

I may as well toss another AC in

This is the Hasegawa offering with the Japanese markings, and it proved to be a well molded and very good fitting model that needed very little putty. Even I had little trouble with it.

I did want USAF decals on it so I stole them from elsewhere. I finished it off in Alcad Polished Aluminum over an acrylic gloss black basecoat which sadly is no longer available, then sealed it with Alcad glosscoat. This is a neccesary step as decal setting solutions will attack Alcad lacquers. I make no claim as to the accuracy of the decal set I just thought they looked good.

This was a very enjoyable project, I had more fun with this than any other AC build I've ever done

[Joe Rix]

What a stunning F-104. Beautiful in every way. No matter any license you took with the decals it just looks sharp.

Curious. What acrylic gloss black that you used is no longer available?

[mustang1989]

WOW!! Alclad is pretty tricky to deal with alright but you did a great job with it. What I did NOT know was that setting solutions are harmful to an Alclad finish. I’ll remember that tidbit. Excellent build Mark

[reserve]

Many thanks gents

Joe the paint was Model Master Acrylic gloss black. Once I learned how to use these paints in an airbrush they became my go to 'cause of their durability...once dry they were tough as tire rubber. Even lacquer thinner would not bother them much so they were an ideal base paint for heavy fading and weathering so as a mostly armor modeler I became quite fond of them. Rustoleum, the parent company, has seen fit to discontinue much of this line of paint a few years back much to my disgust.

Joe the secret to Alcad is to use it straight from the bottle, keep the airbrush close, and apply several thin layers overall with perhaps 45 minutes between coats. If I recall right this model took six coats to get it where it's at.

[mustang1989]

Thanks for the tips Mark. I'm learnin' as I go on Alclad. I can make a car bumper shine like no tomorrow but the flatter finishes take a little extra work and know how so thanks for the info bro.

[Steve Zuleski]

Well, since the last time I saw your birds I picked up some Alcad, awesome stuff! Now I just need a rivet wheel before I play with my wingy dingys, lol.

[handiabled]

The NMF on this is gorgeous!

[reserve]

Anytime Joe

Z it is pretty awesome paint. The only drawback is the stink

Thank you H

Remember when we were trying to wrap AC models in that self adhesive foil? I could never make that stuff lay down right

[chromdome35]

That finish is great. Are you saying that the Alclad polished aluminum is no longer available or one of the other products you used?

[reserve]

Thank you sir

No, not the Alcad that's still around. The stuff ya can't get anymore is Model Master acrylic gloss black

[ogrejohn]

Nice and shiny Mark!

[buddho]

What a beautiful finish on this one, Mark! An amazing build all around.

[reserve]

Thanks blokes

[jeaton01]

Sweet!