F-104G/S ASA/M Starfighter

Kinetic, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Aeritalia F-104S Starfighter was a licensed production Italian version of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, which served in the Italian Air Force (AMI, Aeronautica Militare Italiana), and was the AMI's mainstay from the late 1960s until the beginning of the 21st century. The F-104S also served in the Turkish Air Force until the mid-1990s.

The F-104S was the final development of the Starfighter line. Derived from Lockheed's design studies on a "Super Starfighter", the F-104S was one of the most capable of the F-104 series, and destined to be the last in service worldwide.

The F-104S (upgraded to ASA/M standard) was retired from service in October 2004. *

Kinetic has released a number of single and two-seater 1/48 scale F-104 kits starting wth the F-104G in September 2019.

This F-104G/S, the latest kit in Kinetic's Starfighter family, comprises 193 parts in grey plastic, 28 parts in clear, a small photo-etched fret with twelve parts and markings for three Italian aircraft.

Parts are supplied for F-104G/S and ASA/M Italian variants.

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Thumbnail panels:

As far as I can tell, this kit has the mostly same plastic and photo-etched parts as the 2019 F-104G release. That is a good thing - they are very nice parts!

There are two new sprues however, identical and labelled FF. These contain AIM-7 missiles and mounts.

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 includes both the Lockheed C-2 and Martin-Baker GA-7A ejection seats. 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 nice. 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 canopy 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

Three Italian marking options are offered - one low vis and two high vis.

The decals are designed by F104 Graphics (aka Willy Peeters) and printed perfectly by Cartograf.

Instructions are supplied in a 16 page booklet across 30 steps. Four-view illustrations of all marking schemes are included.

As with its earlier siblings in their Starfighter family, Kinetic's 1:48 scale Italian F-104G/S is worthy of the Gold Class label.

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/S is an impressive kit and after already building two from this family myself, you can also be confident in fit and smooth assembly.

* Historical summary courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to Lucky Model for the samples

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 7 June, 2021
Last updated 8 June, 2021

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