1:48 F-104C LööKplus

1:48 F-104C LööKplus, an Eduard Accessory Set

This set from the LööKplus series by the Czech brand Eduard is intended for building the single-seat Lockheed F-104C Starfighter in 1:48 scale. It has to be stressed that this is not a kit of the aircraft: the set will not give a model on its own, it is used to complete a base plastic kit. The word plus in the name of the series means that this is a bundle of several separate accessories matched to one type of aircraft, so they do not have to be bought piece by piece. The exact make-up of the bundle is given on the packaging and in the manufacturer's data sheet.

The real subject

The F-104C was the tactical fighter and fighter-bomber version of the Starfighter derived from the F-104A. Against the original version it received a more powerful engine, an in-flight refueling probe and pylons for external stores, so that it could carry out attack tasks against ground targets as well. The design of the Starfighter is marked by a very short trapezoidal wing with a sharp leading edge, a slender fuselage around a single jet engine and the horizontal tail set at the top of the fin. The aircraft was designed for high speed and a fast climb, and its clean shapes match that; they are worth supporting with finer detail on a model.

Usage tips

It is best to have the set ready before the fuselage is closed; most details of this kind are fitted into spaces you will no longer reach once it is glued. The resin parts are washed free of the remains of the mold release agent before gluing and are glued with cyanoacrylate, as plastic cement has no effect on them. The photo-etched parts are bent in a bending tool or between two blades, not in your fingers. The pre-painted parts must not be sanded down or sprayed over with an aggressive lacquer thinner. We recommend first trying dry how much plastic has to be taken off the original kit.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who want to take the Starfighter in 1:48 scale beyond an ordinary build out of the box.
• Builders who will appreciate several accessories matched together in one package.
• More experienced modelers used to working with resin and photo-etch.

Eduard carries a set of a similar name for more than one version of the Starfighter, so always go by the exact designation of the version in the name. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.