[PappyB]

Anyone have some pics of the real aircraft, which I take it is the last operational starfighter?

I just got the HM model and I'm a bit disappointed with the heavy inked panel lines against the red body paint -- this is one that HM should have left factory fresh IMHO...

Though perhaps it's suffering from the fact that I also got the chrome 104 at the same time... and it is one fine, fine piece of diecast near-perfection. The chrome finish is absolutely stunning, and there is no wash of course.

[Phantom Phan1200]

Here you go Pappy.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Anyone have some pics of the real aircraft, which I take it is the last operational starfighter?

I just got the HM model and I'm a bit disappointed with the heavy inked panel lines against the red body paint -- this is one that HM should have left factory fresh IMHO...

Though perhaps it's suffering from the fact that I also got the chrome 104 at the same time... and it is one fine, fine piece of diecast near-perfection. The chrome finish is absolutely stunning, and there is no wash of course.

Check this site:

F-104 MM6930 Special Colour: 999 or 9-99? « David Cenciotti’s weblog

[lanslide]

HM has got to stop washing their models!!!

[flyXwire]

IIRC, this particular F-104 scheme raced with either a Ducati motorcycle or a Ferrari F1 car?

[zed550]

it raced against the ducati 999 superbike.
what's the finish like? i did ask hawk to tell HM its got to have a gloss finish.
i dont mind the wash on HM models but have to agree this one should have been left clean.

[PappyB]

It has a sheen to it, but it's not high gloss, which it probably should be. Honestly, the wash may ruin this particular model for me -- particularly after looking at those pics of the real deal. I mean this bird shouldn't have a gritty workhorse look to it. It should look like a showroom racecar... IMHO. Like the chrome 104 it should have been wash-free. I'll get some pics up when I can, but it could be a day or so.

It also doesn't come with wingtip fuel tanks -- but all those pics have 'em ... looks strange without 'em, but don't know a ton about this airframe or particular 104 so maybe it's just supposed to be in its ultra-clean and sleek "showroom" config (but then there's that wash....)

Thanks for the pics Phantom! And links fellas...

[zed550]

there are pictures on the net of it fitted with and without tanks but does seem strange that the option is not available with the model.

[PappyB]

I do wish they did include the tanks as options, strange for HM to be sparse on the options

Here's a pic, wash looks better digitally than in-person I think:

[flyXwire]

Hey not bad...though it might take some convincing for me to get this one, though.