MNModels

Hi F104 lovers,

Finally started the mammoth task of flitemetal to Skymaster F104. I will post the progress.... Some pictures.

Regards

PS..Note final color scheme. Was lucky enough to go to Belgium to visit the museum...

highhorse

My Feedback: (2)

Good job. When you are done, please post some finished pics out in the sunshine!

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

I agree, the F-104 looks great in flite metal. Here's mine.
How are you dealing with the molded in surface detail? Are you filling it in, then reapplying it after sanding the FM?

MNModels

Hi Sean,

Before i decided on flitemetal i had to consider the surface detail. SM have plenty of surface detail and i did not want to redo all of that. Since this is my 1st flitemetal jet with surface detail - i contacted flitemetal and told them about my problem. They assure me the surface detail will show through flitemetal! By the way - I had GREAT service from flitemetal even over the holidays...

I can confirm the detail do show right through the metal. It just need a lot of rubbing.....

This F104 was not an ARF, but kit form special order from factory. As i wanted to do flitemetal and it has to be under 20kg - was skeptical about the final weight. That was the reason for kit form to save some weight. All of this was not needed as the production ARF F104 easily under 20kg!!!!! So now after a build with no plans and instructions i am in flitemetal. Certainly my last ARF "kit" build.

PS..I am no expert on flitemetal. All i can say is that smaller panels are much easier than large panels...

Regards

MNModels

Not much time yesterday, but manage to do the hatch and install servo's in the tail...

Regards

3dean

the SM 104 impressed me at jet power last year

Jamie C

It was the star scale model for me at JP! several very impressive flights!

It must have been good as the 'G' has gone and bought one!

3dean

the G man will be impressive as always this summer, cant wait to see it

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

I figured that the detail would show through when you first applied the FM, what I was more curioius about was once you start the long process of sanding the FM (to go from raw chrome like FM, to a more realistic nat metal appearance). I'm doing my 5th flite metal airframe, but the first with molded in detail. What I'm finding is that the FM in the details remains chrome like once sanded, where if you apply it to a clean airframe you can add the detail after sanding and avoid this issue.

Have you started sanding any areas yet? Will me interested in your technique here as I haven't found somethinng that works. Pre-sanding does help a bit but I find you lose some of the ability to 'stretch' the FM if you start working it before application.

MNModels

Some more work...

Sean, i have not come to that part yet. Like i say i am no expert and learning step by step...

Rgds

PS The off cuts stick to everything...

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

All I can say is WOW!

MNModels

Meesh,

Thanks. Fuselage is nearing completion. Lucky the f104 have no wings!!

Regards

LGM Graphix

My Feedback: (22)

Sean,
Go over the panels first with a grey scotchbrite pad. It will scuff and dull the flite metal down inside panel lines and rivet detail easily. Then you can sand your panel to level it out with paper like you normally would. There will still be a slight color variation between the indented detail and the sanded top surface, but it won't be anywhere near as noticable as the "chrome" color you'll get without scotchbriting it.

WhoDaMan

My Feedback: (164)

It always amazes me the love that goes into this , wow

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Jeremy, thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a try. The idea of filling all the molded in detail is not too appealing to me so I'm open for any options. Does the pre-sanding and working of the FM reduce its stretching ability?

MNModels

Some more pictures...

SJN

Looks fantastic........tempting me to order a Starfighter

LGM Graphix

My Feedback: (22)

I've never tried presanding it. But I wouldn't do that for a couple of reasons.
1. I would think it would be awfully hard to hold it firm enough that you didn't wrinkle or pucker it while sanding
2. Part of the sanding process is to "level" the flight metal. The glue on the back of it is not perfectly even, and you almost always inevitably pick up some little piece of crap when applying the tape. The sanding levels that out, if you already start sanding before it's on the model, you are removing material that you may not want removed when you try to level it out.

If the scotchbrite doesn't do quite the job you want, you can also buy sanding paste from auto body suppliers, there are many different grits available in paste form as well.

LGM Graphix

My Feedback: (22)

Since the molded in detail may be harder to see in the flite metal (and since over time the flite metal can lift out of the molded in detail somewhat and further reduce the detail) You can also enhance it like I did on this hot section
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11...m.htm#11106466

Skip the color parts, just airbrush the black over the detail and use a Mr Clean magic eraser to take the black off again. It will leave the black down in the rivets and even if the flite metal does shrink out of the detail over time, you'll still have the image of it because of the black.

pilot tw

Great Job!! can't not wait to see it in the Sky,,,

MNModels

Hi Anton,

Thank you... Another 4 hours and we will finally have an ARF!!! I hope pilots appreciate all the effort that goes into producing an ARF. This F104 was no joke....

F104Germany

Hi Morne,
great job! send this baby to me

Best regards

Roland

MNModels

Roland,

Send you e-mail... You are correct about the white wings. I might change to another country..or remove the flitemetal from wing

Rgds

MJD

My Feedback: (1)

ARF can mean a variety of things, one of them being "Almost Ready to Finish"

Looks great so far! This is my all time favorite aircraft.

JetsRC

Hi Morne, awesome jet, it looks really great, congratulations...