F-104G / TF-104G (2 in 1)
Luftwaffe Starfighter

Kinetic, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

A combat-capable trainer version of the F-104G, the TF-104G was a two-seater Starfighter that had no cannon or centerline pylon, and reduced internal fuel.

One of the 220 aircraft produced was used by Lockheed as a demonstrator with the civil registration number N104L, and was flown by Jackie Cochran to set three women's world speed records in 1964.

This is not the first TF-104G that we have seen in 1/48 scale.

Hasegawa released a two-seater Starfighter in 2006 that was based on its F-104 kit. That was a nice kit for its time but some did not like the surface textures, especially the riveted wings.

Kinetic released their excellent 1/48 scale F-104G Starfighter late last year. It looked great in te box and I can confirm that it was equally nice to build (see my single-seather Kinetic F-104G Starfighter elsewhere on HyperScale).

Now Kinetic has added an F-104G / TF-104G (2 in 1) kit to their Starfighter family.

The model supplies all the parts necessary to build either a single-seat F-104G or a two-seater TF-104G.

This new kit comprises 236 parts in grey plastic; 35 parts in clear; photo-etched fret with 24 parts; markings for four German aircraft.

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What's New

The new grey plastic parts are supplied on a large single sprue.

Contents add all-new fuselage halves for the two-seater, lower fuselage section, seat parts, a two-seat cockpit tub plus additional parts for the front office, new avionics bay and more.

A new clear sprue is also included. This contains parts for the single seat and two-seat canopies.

Surface textures are world-class - fine and crisp panel lines supplemented with appropriate recessed rivets. Please note that the main surfaces of the wings do not have rows of rivets, which will please most modellers.

Kinetic supplies a pair of Lockheed C-2 and Martin-Baker GA-7A ejection seats, although only the Martin-Baker seats are required for this boxing. Photo-etched harness straps are included for both.

The rest of the cockpit is nicely fitted out with a detailed tub, integral side consoles and an instrument panel with raised bezels and switches.

The nose radar module is fully fitted out and the nose cone may be posed open to display the detail. The avionics bay behind the cockpit is similarly detailed and a separate poseable hatch is included.

Undercarriage bay detail is also well done with separate side and top panels plus plenty of detail by way of raised hydraulic lines and cables.

The rear engine pipe includes separate fan and flame holder parts as well as a crisp one-piece nozzle.

Undercarriage legs are well done. The wheels are bulged and flattened, with a choice of styles for the nose wheel. The bulged and early style non-bulged main undercarriage covers, as well as the narrow main wheels are included on the sprues, suggesting that we will see different versions from Kinetic in the future. The forward main undercarriage doors may be depicted closed or partially open.

Fuselage speed brakes are separate parts that may be posed open or closed. Flaps, ailerons, leading edge slats and the rudder are all separate parts that may be posed to taste.

Clear parts are thin and free from distortion. The windscreen is a separate part and the canopies may be fixed in the open or closed position.

A nice selection of underwing and wing tip drop tanks as well as a choice of under wing and fuselage mounted rockets.

Markings

Four varied marking options are offered with a single and two-seater each in splinter and wrapraround camouflage.

Your choices are even wider than that though, as Kinetic has supplied a number jungle in both common sizes for different aircraft.

The decals are designed by Crossdelta and printed perfectly by Cartograf.

Instructions are supplied in a 28 page booklet across 29 steps. Four-view illustrations of all marking schemes are included.

The instructions cross-reference AMMO MIG, Vallejo, Mr Color, Tamiya and Humbrol paint numbers.

Kinetic's initial 1:48 scale F-104G Starfighter from last year was certainly worthy of the Gold Class label and this new 2-in-1 kit that adds the option of the two-seater TF-104G is every bit as good.

The model scores big points in every category - its surface textures, high level of detail including fully equipped radar and avionics bays, poseable control surfaces and speed brakes, and a lovely Cartograf-printed decal sheet.

Kinetic's new 1:48 scale F-104G / TF-104G will be warmly welcomed by all Century Series fans.

At less than USD$40.00, it represents great value for money too.

* Historical summary courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to Lucky Model for the samples

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2020 by Brett Green
Page Created 19 October, 2020
Last updated 20 October, 2020

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