F-104J / TF-104DJ (2 in 1) Starfighter J.A.S.D.F.

Kinetic, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The F-104J was a specialized interceptor version of the F-104G for the Japanese ASDF, built under license by Mitsubishi for the air-superiority role; it was armed with cannon and four Sidewinders, but had no strike capability. Some were converted to UF-104J radio-controlled target drones and destroyed.

A total of 210 were built, three by Lockheed, 29 by Mitsubishi from Lockheed-sourced components, and 178 by Mitsubishi.

The F-104DJ was a dual-control trainer version of the F-104J for the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF). Lockheed built 20 F-104DJs, assembling the first at their Burbank facility, and shipping the remaining 19 to Japan for assembly by Mitsubishi and Kawasaki.

After their retirement in Japan, the United States delivered some these F-104J/DJs to the Taiwanese Air Force.

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 in 2019. It looked great in the box and I can confirm that it was equally nice to build (see my single-seather Kinetic F-104G Starfighter elsewhere on HyperScale).

This was followed up with a two-seater last year, which I also built.

Now Kinetic has added a Japanese F-104J / F-104DJ (2 in 1) kit to their Starfighter family.

The model supplies all the parts necessary to build either a single-seat F-104J or a two-seater F-104DJ. In fact, with after market decals you can build any single seat or two seat G or J variant in the Starfighter family.

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

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Thumbnail panels:

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.

The clear sprue 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 Lockheed 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:

• F-104J, 46-8645, 24 TFS, Nyutabaru AB, 1982in an experimental grey camouflage with a blue and yellow tail flash.
• F-104DJ, 26-5006, 204 TFS, 1983 in experimental three-colour camouflage.

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

You might also consider Fundekals' after market decals that offer options for just about any F-104J and F-104DJ t that flew with the “Eiko” squadron.

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 2019 was certainly worthy of the Gold Class label and this newest 2-in-1 Starfighter kit adds the option of the two-seater F-104DJ and markings for two colourful Japanese aircraft.

In fact, with after market decals you can build any single seat or two seat G or J variant in the Starfighter family.

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.

At USD$39.99 I think it is a bargain too!

* Historical summary courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to Lucky Model for the samples

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 7 April, 2021
Last updated 7 April, 2021

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