F-104G Starfighter- Kartonowa Kolekcia 1/33 scale

[ricleite]

It is very interesting to see the different design methods of this kit and those of GPM 370 (I have a copy of it). I get the feeling that the KK kit is better engineered!

[Erik Zwaan]

Isaac, I felt the same sensation at this point in the build. Once you have attached more sections (they are circular from this section on) the shape will be more in balance for the eye. Towards the rear the fuselage is pointing upwards a bit. Once the wings and vertical stabilizer are in place things look "normal" again. It's all because of this strangely shaped center fuselage section. Good job, by the way!

Erik

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by Erik Zwaan

Isaac, I felt the same sensation at this point in the build. Once you have attached more sections (they are circular from this section on) the shape will be more in balance for the eye. Towards the rear the fuselage is pointing upwards a bit. Once the wings and vertical stabilizer are in place things look "normal" again. It's all because of this strangely shaped center fuselage section. Good job, by the way!

Erik

I thought that I screwed up or the kit was wrong , so I trimmed that and all the aft sections to match , obviously I made an error again

Oh well, my fix looks OK though , details soon


Isaac

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by ricleite

It is very interesting to see the different design methods of this kit and those of GPM 370 (I have a copy of it). I get the feeling that the KK kit is better engineered!

I tend to agree , I have the GPM kit as well , their method is to add the engine intake side cheeks to the round fuselage which will cause a mismatch in a camouflaged scheme . I have the F-104C in silver , I'm sure that paper will have issues if not careful

Isaac

[Isaac]

So it appears that the section above looked to big in the back.



So I cut out a small amount on the top.




and the frame needed to be reduced.




note:
I think it looked wrong as designed, but apparently I was wrong. This nip and tuck forced me to reduce the aft sections by a similar amount going all the way back.

However, as you will see, the outcome looks OK. So go figure who is correct.


Isaac

[Isaac]

This section will have the cut out for the two airbrakes

The skin with cut out


and the air brake housing





and installed



Isaac

[Erik Zwaan]

Originally Posted by Isaac

This nip and tuck forced me to reduce the aft sections by a similar amount going all the way back.

I hope you have not cut out too much as the exhaust pipe has to be inserted at the end, which I remember was a rather tight fit!

Cheers,
Erik

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by Erik Zwaan

I hope you have not cut out too much as the exhaust pipe has to be inserted at the end, which I remember was a rather tight fit!

Cheers,
Erik

Erik

Actually , I'm OK with my trim job

The fuselage is completed with no further issues. I'm lagging in my posting ,

I'll show the exhaust shortly

Isaac

[Isaac]

Here are the few parts that make the AB exhaust assembly



in my opinion, the designer could have done better by having a much deeper and longer duct.


Here it is with the rear fuselage sections.



So I added another cylinder to the duct to make it deeper. That also required internal modifications to the frames to accommodate the longer duct.



In order to preserve the round shape of the AB duct, I used Yoav's method of inserting a dummy frame and then applying Super Glue ( CA ) around the perimeter to stiffen the cylinder. After 10 minutes, the dummy frame is removed.



note,
I can insert the AB duct from the rear without gluing until the end, so you may see it in and out at various upcoming pictures.


Dry fit first



Isaac

[Isaac]

Here are the forward, rear and the afterburner exhaust duct assemblies



I had to cut the rear frame inside to accommodate the duct



and here is the fuselage assembled


aft end looking in without the exhaust duct



and since the duct is slipped into position from the rear, I added 4 L shaped card support that will bend forward when pushed by the duct. Those will act as springs, center the aft end and support the duct.


and the duct in place ( not yet glued, but you can if you want to at this point ).



Isaac