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F-104A Early Backdate Set in 1/48th Scale from Hypersonic Models.

F-104A (Early) Backdate Set from Hypersonic Models in 1/48th scale

In depth info & great photographs show us just what’s in the kit & aircraft itself in his review…

Hands on Review: F-104A Early Backdate Set (for Kinetic)ModelsFrom Hypersonic

1/48th scale

Kit No #HMR 48060Models

3D printed grey resin In depth info & great photographs show us just what’s in the kit & the aircraft itself in his review…

Hands on Review: F-104A (Early) Backdate Set (for Kinetic)

From Hypersonic

1/48th scale

Kit No #HMR 48060Models3D printed grey resin, clear resin canopy & vinyl masks provided in the kit.

Price: Y=4500

Hypersonic

is an established after-market manufacturer based in Japan, focusing on detail and update sets for primarily 1/48th scale modern jet subjects.

In this review I’m going “hands-on” with one of their latest 3D printed conversion sets. The (48060 F-104A) Early Backdate Set was designed to be used with Kinetic’s F-104A/C kit (K48096). It allows you to create an early F-104A equipped with the C-1 downward-firing ejection seats. This conversion set NOT comes with decals. Hypersonic suggests Caracal Sheet CD48202 1/48 USAF F-104A/C Starfighter., and I have the Victory Productions VPD48005 1/48 USAF & NASA Starfighters comprehensive set which contains many F-104As from the early years as well as NF-104As and QF-104As.

For my review I will work through all four instructions pages. We can then see the entire set and read the information provided by Hypersonic. Hypersonic provides very useful color drawings that describe the best way to use 3D printed components. You should start by removing the outermost parts, starting with the blue, followed by the green, and then the red. These parts, as you can tell from the picture of the canopy frame, are delicate and fine. Use good cutters to remove the support trees from the part. Be extra careful when handling the fuselage “L”, doublers. They are thin, long parts. Hypersonic has provided color-coded callouts to help you avoid damaging the parts. Remove the supports starting from the outer edge. It will make it easier to safely reach the inner supports. It’s time consuming work but slow and steady wins the race.

Hypersonic providers a full set of the reinforcement doublers applied to certain F-104 during their life. Check the references of your specific aircraft as early F-104As and YF-014As didn’t have them. As explained, the doublers began to be fitted before the C-2 seat conversion so Hypersonic have included them in this early set for completeness.

The part which requires the most work on behalf of the modeller is the Hot Air Vents. This part is installed by a little plastic surgery on the Kinetic port. Again, check your references to see if your subject had the staggered engine compartment vent louvres before you start cutting.

Hypersonic provide a vinyl template which you apply to the kit fuselage. You can use this to indicate the location of the lower cutting line on the resin insert panel. Other three cuts are made along the existing panel lines of the kit. You can use a scriber, like I did, or a pencil to draw along the lower edge of the template.

WARNING: THE SUPPLIED VINYL TEMPLATE IS TOO SMALL. This was a packing error and HYPERSONIC are aware of it. They will provide a corrected part if you contact them. The template is too small to cause any real harm. The template is 2mm larger than the model as shown below. You can now begin hacking the model. To avoid cutting incorrectly, I mark parts that need to be cut out. Remember the saying, “Measure once, cut twice”. It just so happens that I have an ultrasonic blade, which I use rarely but is ideal for cutting through the fuselage’s thick plastic. It vibrates at an ultrasonic rate, which allows the blade to easily cut plastic or resin with minimal force. After removing the middle of the panel with the ultrasonic blade, we will use sanding stick, files and sharp blades to remove all the remaining material up to the edge of the template. As per instructions, you will need to fill and smooth the lower cutline as it is not part of the natural panel. Hypersonic provides a drop-in replacement part for B5 in the kit. This is used to replace the lower fuselage. The Kinetic kit included the chute (which was added to the F-104C and later). As noted in the instructions for assembly, many YF-104As and F-104As do not have pointed barrier deflectors at the nose gear door. You will have to use the parts from the Kinetic kit to cover the holes on the fuselage. It is easy to see the differences in the resin and Hypersonic modified part. Kinetic’s plastic version has some detail, but it is nothing in comparison to the resin component. This is the direct replacement part for B48.

and requires no trimming or cutting. The only tool needed is a good knife.

The bulkhead will now drop into the holes in the floor. The fit and detail are exactly as expected.

A new instrument panel, throttle and control column is included. Once again these are fit perfect direct replacements for the equivalent Kinetic parts.

Comparing the Hypersonic and Kinetic parts reveals several differences between the two. I have not looked in this in detail but I imagine the Kinetic part is closer to a later A/C than the early A’s which is why the new IP was needed when backdating.

Hypersonic have gone all out when it comes to including options for the main coaming. These are superbly detailed and give the modeller full freedom to match the aircraft they are building exactly.

These parts are just dripping with detail and much of it will clearly be seen through the kit windshield. I think that the two parts you don’t use could be used for other F-104s. The “canopy pyro charges” on the canopy sills need to be removed as they were not installed with the downward firing seat. ! Enjoy. Each coaming can be dropped into the Kinetic Kit. This, along with the improvements to the rear bulkheads really enhances the look of the kit. Hypersonic has taken advantage of 3D-printing to provide the C-1 Ejection seat in a single, painted piece. It is precisely designed to slot into new rails in the rear bulkhead. The F-104 flew at a speed that made it impossible for the pilots who were being thrown from the plane to reach the tail assembly with the standard upward firing ejection seat. Older aircraft were easier to escape due to slower speeds, but the high velocities of the new airplanes required new ejection engineering.

Stanley Aviation provided a solution with the Stanley C-1 Ejection Seat. The Stanley C-1 Ejection Seat fired downwards, saving crews from emergency situations in aircraft such as the F-104 or B-47. It had complex mechanisms including “spurs”, which were metal spikes on the heel of the boots of pilots, that would slot over the steel balls of the footrest (hence the “Cowboy'” nickname of F-104 Pilots). The balls attached to cables that kept the pilot’s feet in place during the ejection sequence.

While downward-firing seats prevented collisions with the tail, they introduced a new set of problems. Stanley Aviation finally developed the Lockheed C-2 which used more powerful rockets to fire upward, clearing the tail safely. It was the quiet end of the downward-ejecting seat.

Hypersonic’s C-1 is a piece of pure art. The 3D printing and design technology used by aftermarket manufacturers is always inspiring. More information can be found at ejectionsite.com

To backdate the canopy, Hypersonic have designed a new super detailed canopy with complete and highly detailed de-mister tubing. More information be found at ejectionsite.com

To backdate the canopy, Hypersonic have designed a new super detailed canopy with complete and highly detailed de-mister tubing.

The Hypersonic canopy is cast in clear resin (UV stable) from a 3D printed master. The canopy has a small pouring block that can easily be removed and cleaned. This part is well engineering to make the modellers life as easy as possible, not always the case with other manufacturers.

The canopy frame is printed as a single piece and requires a VERY light touch to separate from the printing supports. You should avoid applying too much force to the main frame body. It is thin. The set includes a more detailed throttle and control column. The lower canvas boot/cover looks quite realistic.

One final photo showing the mix of kit and resin parts. This set really is a joy to work with and will take your early F-104A up a notch (or two).

CONCLUSION – Hypersonic

1:48 F-104A (Early) Backdate Set for Kinetic (48060)

Hypersonic have really hit this one out of the park. This set is a joy to work with and will take your early F-104A up a notch (or two).

CONCLUSION – Hypersonic

1:48 F-104A (Early) Backdate Set for Kinetic (448060)

Hypersonic have really hit this one out of the park. This set is a masterpiece of design, packaging and printing. Hypersonic’s excellent customer service is just another feather in their cap. Excellent customer service is just another feather in Hypersonic’s cap.

I certainly have no hesitation in recommending this detail set for your F-104A build.

Gary Wickham

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS – Hypersonic

1:48 F-104A (Early) Backdate Set for Kinetic (48060)veteransbreakfastclub.org

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