F-104Cs were first sent to Southeast Asia on a temporary
basis in April 1965. One squadron stood alert at Kung Kuan, Taiwan, and Da
Nang, South Vietnam. From Da Nang, the aircraft struck targets in both South and
North Vietnam with enemy ground fire taking its toll. The F-104Cs were back
stateside by Christmas 1965, having in principle been replaced by the McDonnell
F-4 Phantom. However, increased activity of speedy North Vietnamese MiG-21
fighters led to a reconsideration of the withdrawal of the Starfighter, and
eight were sent to the air base at Udorn, Thailand, in late June 1966. The
Starfighters were used to provide top cover for F-105F Wild Weasel defense
suppression aircraft, looking out for MiGs while the Weasels took on air-defense
sites. F-104Cs continued their close air-support roles for a
while then transitioned to 'Warning Star' protection missions for a time.
However, all Starfighters were finally withdrawn back to the States in July 1967
and permanently replaced by the F-4 Phantom. (information from http://www.globalsecurity.org
and http://www.vectorsite.net)
Click on
images below to see larger images
My 1/48 Hasegawa kit represents F-104C BN 0-60914
"Snoopy Sniper" of the 435th TFS at Udorn AFB, Thailand
1967-1968, flown by Pilot Maj. Herb Drisco.
The basic kit was
enhanced with:
-
1) Aires resin
F-104 Wheel Bay (4103)
-
2) Aires resin
F-104C/J Cockpit Set (4098)
-
3) Superscale
Decal No. 48-1135 F-104C Starfighters
-
4) Scratchbuilt
interior canopy frame
A variety of Tamiya,
Model Master, Pollyscale and Aeromaster acrylic paints were used for this kit.
The colors in order of application are described below:
Cockpit - Flat Black
primer followed by a light mist of Dark Gull Gray, Olive Green hoses, Nato Green
belts, Khaki Drab seat cushions, Red headrest, a dry brush of Dark Anadoxic
Gray, Flat Black acrylic wash followed by a mist of Flat Clear and a dry brush
with White oils.
Wheel Bays - Flat
Black primer followed by light mist of Flat White primer and finally Flat White
is selected areas, Neutral Gray acrylic wash, Burnt Sienna oil wash, a dry brush
of Silver followed by a mist of Flat Clear and weathering with pastels.
SEA Camouflage -
Pre-shading of Flat Black, Flat White primer on ventral surface followed by
light mist of Tactical Light Gray (FS55394), Dark Tan (FS30219) on dorsal
surface followed by tints of Dark Tan on selected panels, Medium Green (FS34102)
followed by tints of Medium Green on selected panels, Dark Green (FS34079)
followed by tints of Dark Green on selected panels, Neutral Gray acrylic wash on
ventral surfaces and Flat Black acrylic wash on dorsal surfaces, a mixture
pastels and oils to simulate streaks and weathering.
Many of my painting
and weathering techniques for SEA camouflaged aircraft can be found on my other
submissions to ARC.
The Aires resin
enhancements really improved the realism of this kit. I'm really
satisfied with the end result and have always wanted an SEA camoflauged F-104 in
my collection. Thanks for looking!
Eric Hargett
Click on
images below to see larger images
|