1:48 Lockheed F-104S Starfighter ASA

The real subject

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a slender single-seat aircraft with a very thin wing that became a typical machine of the 1960s. The F-104S version came about in Italy and was adapted against the original machines for a wider range of tasks. The letters ASA denote an upgrade of the weapons system that the Italian aircraft went through and that extended their service by a number of years.

What the set solves

It is a set of photo-etched metal parts intended for a model in 1:48 scale. Photo-etch replaces the places where a plastic part is inevitably thicker at this scale than it should be: thin sheet, grilles, frames and small controls. Which parts of the model the set deals with and in what order the parts are seated is described in the instructions enclosed with the set.

Building and painting tips

Separate the parts with a sharp blade on a hard surface, as nippers will bend the edge. Make the fold over a sharp edge or in a photo-etch bender in one movement, as repeated bending will crack the metal. Degrease the surfaces before gluing and glue with cyanoacrylate glue. Apply a thin coat of base color before the covering paint, otherwise the paint will not hold on smooth metal. Work with tweezers over a mat, as the small parts easily flick away and are hard to find.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who build the Starfighter in 1:48 scale and already have experience of photo-etch. If photo-etch is new to you, start with the larger parts and leave the smaller ones until later. The kit of the aircraft, paints, glue and tools are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.