1:32 Lockheed F-104A/C Starfighter wheel bay ITALERI

Lockheed F-104A/C Starfighter, landing gear bay 1:32

This resin set from Aires is intended for a model of the Starfighter in the A and C versions in 1:32 scale. The Starfighter was a slender supersonic aircraft with a short trapezoidal wing and sharp leading edges, so even the internal spaces stand out on a model. Landing gear bays tend to be handled simply in kits, as smooth boxes with no structure. A resin casting can replace them with a space that has runs, stiffeners and structure on the walls. The package holds an accessory, not a kit.

What to expect from a resin set

Working with resin is more demanding than with plastic and the set is meant rather for more experienced builders. The parts are cast on casting blocks that have to be cut off, and the surface tends to be covered with residual mold release agent. Fitting them, moreover, almost always means reworking the plastic of the kit. It is worth allowing for that before you glue the fuselage together.

Building tips

• Wash the parts first in lukewarm soapy water, so that the paint holds on them.
• Cut the casting blocks off with a saw or a cutting disc, do not break them away.
• When sanding resin, protect your breathing and sand wet, as the dust is fine.
• Bond with super glue, as ordinary plastic cement has no effect on resin.
• Keep trying the bay dry and take the plastic of the kit away gradually in small steps.
• Spray and shade the inside before closing the fuselage, as you will not get in there afterwards.

Who the set is for

• builders of large aircraft models in 1:32 scale
• modelers who want to build the aircraft with the landing gear exposed
• more experienced builders with experience of resin

The set is a resin accessory, not a kit. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.