Italeri F/CF 104 G/S Starfighter 1:32

Instructions

This is the first time I think that I have seen Italeri’s new 3D type instruction booklet. It’s 40+ pages long and looks good to me. The proof will come with the building.

Options and decals

The colour choices in the kit abound but with perhaps (understandably) a biased towards the IAF. More German or German options may have been nice but if I were going down this route I would use Daco decals for both countries as they are sublime.

The two huge decal sheets by Cartograf look stunning and include full stencilling for each version. I will be opting for the NMF RCAF version but I suspect many will be seen at the shows in camouflage or some of the colourful German Navy versions with their profusion of dayglo panels.

Summary and value for money

Let’s see when I have finished. For now though the kit at almost £90 seems expensive and should in my view be better price-matched to the Hasegawa version at almost £60. The decal choices is a big advantage and great value but this kit is in my view overpriced by at least £20. Adding an Aires cockpit and other bits and pieces will fast take this build beyond £100; that’s just silly but currently not unusual.

I am still looking forward to building this one and its next up on my list so you won’t have to wait long to see how this kit fairs; for now though it’s simply recommended.

Les

SMN Quick Summary – Feature Star Rating

FEATURE	STAR RATING (out of five)
Quality of moulding	***
Accuracy	***.5
Instructions	****
Decals	*****
Subject choice	*****
Overall	***.5