TF to CF: 1/48th Hasegawa TF-104 Starfighter

Hasegawa's F-104 series was initially released in 2000. The 1/48th Hasegawa TF-104 Starfighter kit followed in 2006. This is their dual seat NATO version. The Hasegawa Starfighter kit series delivered nice fit and detail but with questionable rivet details.

Notable Kit Features:

• Simple construction with well fitting parts

• Nicely detailed cockpits

• Two proper NATO ejection seats (as well as the standard seats)

• Multi-piece canopies which can be posed open or closed (although there is no actuator for the open position)

• Separate flaps and slats (normally in the neutral position on ground)

• Speed brakes can be positioned open or closed (normally closed on ground)

• Nicely detailed wheel wells and gear
  

Build Inspiration:

The long-nose, two-seater Starfighter has quite a slick look about it and I always thought that the natural metal finish (NMF), especially with the RCAF white wings, brought out the beauty in this aircraft. The added high-tones of the red tail and tanks just finishes off that look as far as I am concerned. I opted for the old-school livery with the ensign on the tail, as I have a single seat version slated for a later build in 1 CAG markings with the later Canadian flag. I managed to cobble together the serial (12635) for the first CF-104D delivered to the RCAF on January 16th 1962 and now have my first double-manned missile in The Hangar.

Heads-Up Report:

• One decision you have to make on this kit is whether to suppress the rivets or not. I decided to do a light fill on them over the wing area only

• A kit fit area to be a bit careful with is the intakes (ensuring everything is lined / trimmed up)

• If you are planning on posing the canopy open, you will need to scratch build the actuators

• There appears to be a gap behind the rear cockpit which I used plastic card to block / fill (unfortunately this interfered with the later fit of the lower nose front wheel well part and had to be trimmed again)

• The ejection seats are either the NATO type or standard USAF and not the RCAF style so I did my best to modify the look

• The flaps and slats are marred with pin ejector marks which need to be filled and sanded

• Main gear doors are the wrong type (didn't see that coming), so I had to borrow the doors off a F-104C to get this one done (I will deal with that C fix later.)

• This boxing, has, optional engine exhaust, ejection seat, underwing pylons and sidewinder rails included.

Kit Additions / Modifications:

• Modified ejection seats to better represent RCAF style

• Added seated pilots

• Used Belcher Bits (BD6) CF-104 decals (which provide a great assortment of CF-104 markings to choose from)
  

Finishing:

To the uninitiated it could seem an easy one colour coat at first blush however to any who have tried and failed it is the finish many model makers shy away from due to these demands. Try, try, try again becomes the mantra for those attracted to these shiny finishes. For the NMF to look the part, one has to figure out how to get the correct amount of variance into the panels across the airframe. Adding to the challenge is the unforgiving nature of this finish which shows all seam joins, scratches and plastic imperfections, especially if you are aiming at that ideal thin paint coat. Once you get the finish on you have to maintain it through all the handling, decaling and final top coats without loosing the NMF effect you were seeking.

The After-Build Report:

Hasegawa's 1/48th scale F-104 Starfighter series remains a good kit to get a Starfighter build on the display shelf. Simple, well detailed with a very good fit gives the model maker a great OoB build. Having said that the newer (2019+) Kinetic is edging this kit out, with better surface and overall detail (albeit at a higher price). Kinetic's "Gold" series goes the extra bit to bump this detail up a notch. None of the older kits are able to hold their own against these two leaders any longer.

Completed build #281 - October 2025 using the 1/48th scale Hasegawa #07240 kit.

Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers