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CF-104 Starfighter

Kinetic Gold Series, 1/48 scale

S u m m a r y
Item No. Kinetic Item No. K48127 - CF-104 Starfighter Gold Series
Contents and Media: 193 parts in grey plastic; 28 parts in clear; small photo-etched fret with 12 parts; markings for three aircraft with additional optional serial numbers.
Scale 1/48
Price: USD$39.99 plus shipping available online from Lucky Model
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Crisp and fine surface textures; high level of detail in cockpit, wheel wells, engine nozzle, avionics and radar bay; perfectly printed decal sheet; full weapons fit.
Disadvantages:  
Recommendation:

As with its earlier siblings in their Starfighter family, Kinetic's 1:48 scale CF-104 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 CF-104 is an impressive kit and after building two from this family, you can also be confident in fit and smooth assembly.

Reviewed by Mick Evans

QuickLook

 

The Lockheed CF-104 is the Canadian Air Force version of the famous Lockheed Starfighter built under license in Canada by Canadair.

Despite being designed as an interceptor the Canadian Air Force mainly used it in the ground attack role from 1962 to 1987 when it was replaced by the CF-18 Hornet.

Canadian Air Force Starfighters are rarely seen with air to air missiles fitted and mostly appear with wing tip tanks fitted.

The Starfighter has been released by Kinetic previously in various versions and national markings including both single seat and dual seat versions.

 

  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
  • Kinetic Item No. K48083 - F-104G Starfighter Review by Brett Green: Image
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Most versions have been extensively reviewed by Brett Green previously and there are no new parts in this kit so I will not repeat Brett’s observations about the kit.

 

Markings

The kit includes the three main schemes used in Canadian Service.

 

 

These are detailed as follow:

  1. Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CF-104 serial number 12845 or 12799 1961-mid 1968 in natural metal with white upper wings, FS26373 grey lower wings and red and white horizontal stabiliser. The aircraft has high visibility markings and a large red Ensign flag on the tail.

  2. Canadian Air Force (CAF) CF-104 serial number 104796 or 104829 1972-1973 in all over green FS34226. The aircraft has high visibility markings and black and white check rudder.

  3. Canadian Air Force (CAF) CF-104 serial number 104866 or 104808 1973 in FS 36314 Neutral Grey lower surfaces with French Blue Grey and Dark Green upper surfaces. The aircraft has low visibility markings.

 

 

Decals are by Cartograf.

They are perfectly printed and in register.

 

 

Conclusion

 

As with its earlier siblings in their Starfighter family, Kinetic's 1:48 scale CF-104 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 CF-104 is an impressive kit and after building two from this family, 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 © 2022 by Mick Evans
Page Created 17 November, 2022
Last updated 17 November, 2022

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