FunkyZeit

Great photos guys!
 
Here I am flying the "Queen of the Fleet" I'm on the right of the frame.
 

 
Here's my current ride "The Queen".
 

 
In flight running UPS. Got this photo from a YYC Spotter
 

 
Justin

looks damn perfect to me. EXCELLENT
 
Justin

not sure you're from this planet.

never before seen such a flawless finish on that gloss. excellent.

never before seen such a flawless finish on that gloss. excellent.

god help me. this is incredible.
 
Justin

Sorry for your loss brother =/
 
Last time I flew a light piston I was terrified. I'll stick to jets.
 
Justin

very cool!
 
I just finished a FAA Corsair II as well. Check it out! If you have any questions let me know, this build is still fresh!
 
Justin

And you're welcome for the Navy F/A-18C Naval Adversary idea! 
 
Chuck

Nice! You’re welcome for the Hellcat idea
 
justin

Welcome sir.
 
I have built this model some years ago to completion. There’s a basic and poorly done, semi-complete build log of it on this wonderful site. I truly battled this kit down every single step - although I built mine with all of the panels open. I had become so very frustrated with it that I stopped glueing models for half a year after I built it. The comment about “dry fitting” is very much understated. The kit is beautiful and terrible all at the same time. I am very proud that I finished the model. It sits proudly in a big glass case along with all of the competition awards it took in our local circuit - but it was absolutely the most difficult model I have ever built. Be very careful, very deliberate. 
 
Justin
 
edit: if you PM me your email, id be more than happy to send you photos of it

Welcome sir.
 
I have built this model some years ago to completion. There’s a basic and poorly done, semi-complete build log of it on this wonderful site. I truly battled this kit down every single step - although I built mine with all of the panels open. I had become so very frustrated with it that I stopped glueing models for half a year after I built it. The comment about “dry fitting” is very much understated. The kit is beautiful and terrible all at the same time. I am very proud that I finished the model. It sits proudly in a big glass case along with all of the competition awards it took in our local circuit - but it was absolutely the most difficult model I have ever built. Be very careful, very deliberate. 
 
Justin
 
edit: if you PM me your email, id be more than happy to send you photos of it

Thanks for the feedback guys.  I really appreciate it!
 
I have a 0.40 mm "Rosie the Riveter" wheel tool coming my way, that I will try as well before I commit to anything.  Unfortunately, it is coming from Illinois via USPS, where my last order was held up in the Chicago area for 4 weeks doing nothing before it finally made it to the Canadian border, where it took 2 more weeks to get to my door.  I paid a bit extra for Priority International this time, so we'll see what happens.  I ordered it on November 30th and today it still sits doing nothing in Illinois.
 
Also on November 30th, I ordered the DACO book as shown below.  When I built my F-4E and A-10C, I had Jake Melampy's excellent reference books on these aircraft to help me make them more accurate, and this book looks like it's just as good.  I received this book to my door in 4 days and it came all the way from GREECE via DHL!  This book is very hard to find, so if you want one too, here is where I bought mine:
 
Discount Hobby Zone
 

 
It has clear photos of every square inch of this aircraft- and yes I know, the CF-104's were slightly different.
 

 
It also has several schematic drawings to help me with the main panel lines.  This is what all the recessed detail will look like, whether I use HGW rivets or not.
 

 
 
So while I wait for Rosie, I'm going to work on fitting the Black Box resin cockpit into this model.  Right now I am very optimistic that it can be done without too much trouble.
 
Cheers,
Chuck

Chuck, I think the decal approach over the Gloss Black before Alclad lacquers looks stunning. It really seems to fit the overall sleek “feel” of the Starfighter. I have read many of the responses from the folks above, and I would most certainly be happy with that look for that time period.....
 
Having shot literally hundreds of thousands of aircraft rivets in my career so far, in dozens of airframes from A 1948 Luscombe Silvaire to an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (last Thursday as a matter-of-fact), I find the effect quite convincing.
 
As some folks here already know, aircraft generally use aluminum alloy rivets in aluminum structures, they are rarely the same color upon install due to the differing alloys used. Most rivets have their own corrosion proof coating, like cadmium or anodization, which  is applied during their manufacture. (I installed some Titanium rivets recently that had a purple coating, into a Titanium heat shield that was bare- I also installed some AD rivets into a 7075 aluminum bulkhead that were gold in color compared to the bright aluminum!) Rivets generally appear to be the same color when a surface has been polished, or painted; Where the corrosion coating on their heads has been polished off, or painted over, of course.
 
My point? It is IMPOSSIBLE to replicate every rivet accurately in a scale model, no matter how hard we try. Everything is an interpretation of what’s there in real life. So, go for the effect that is most pleasing to you; It is art, after all, and the artist’s vision to replicate what he sees, usually wins the day. You are a master craftsman, Chuck, and I am constantly blown away by how great your work is. I say go for it!
 
THOR, who would rather be working on plastic model aircraft than real ones today!
 

Excellent reference for multi-material, modern riveting techniques.
 
https://www.aerotoons.com/blog/fuselage.htm
 
As Chuck and I agreed on the phone, we can’t believe we’re debating rivets on a model. In the end it really doesn’t matter - he needs to decide how much or how little “realism” to apply. The right answer is wrong, and the wrong answer is wrong. Good luck Chuck

Excellent reference for multi-material, modern riveting techniques.
 
https://www.aerotoons.com/blog/fuselage.htm
 
As Chuck and I agreed on the phone, we can’t believe we’re debating rivets on a model. In the end it really doesn’t matter - he needs to decide how much or how little “realism” to apply. The right answer is wrong, and the wrong answer is wrong. Good luck Chuck

Chuck, you actually used the paint. Well done my friend. Talk soon.
 
Justin

Yes, I'm still decanting, but only to get rid of my rattle can stockpile.  I think the Tamiya lacquer in the jars (LP line) is the same stuff.
 
Also, for the first time, I will be using MRP paints for the camo and roundels.  I've heard so many raving reviews about this paint I just need to give it a try and thanks to my friend Justin (Funkyzeit), he gave me a boatload of it to try.  I'm not sure how it will react over the gloss black Tamiya paint, so I'll experiment with it a bit before I commit to my model.
 
Cheers,
Chuck

Impressive, friend. 

absolute beauty!
 
I also had the same sentiment putting the cowl on the engine =)
 
Justin

Thanks Justin! 

Let me toss in some of my rare books.
 
Valiant Wings Airframe Volume 1. "The Heinkel He 219 'Uhu' "
Valiant Wings Airframe Constructor Volume 2. "Building the Heinkel He 219 'Uhu' "
Kagero Monographs #49 Volume 1. " Heinkel He 219 Uhu"
 
Winner will receive all 3.
 
Justin

sure!

Let me toss in some of my rare books.
 
Valiant Wings Airframe Volume 1. "The Heinkel He 219 'Uhu' "
Valiant Wings Airframe Constructor Volume 2. "Building the Heinkel He 219 'Uhu' "
Kagero Monographs #49 Volume 1. " Heinkel He 219 Uhu"
 
Winner will receive all 3.
 
Justin