Victory Models doesn't produce many decal sheets, but when they do, you can be sure they are exceptional. This one fully meets that criteria. Several years ago, they produced an F-104 sheet for 1/48 modelers that is still considered by many to be the best ever done. In this case, the artwork for that sheet has been upsized to 1/32 scale. The intended kit is the new Italeri version, but it should also fit the Revell or Hasegawa kit. It is rumored that AFV Club will also be doing a 1/32 Starfighter.

For this sheet, all the options are F-104A/C variants. There are seven different options on this sheet, most of them for operational USAF squadrons. Most of them are in the standard scheme of unpainted metal with white wings.

First up is an F-104C with the 434 TFS, 479 TFW based at George AFB in 1959. This aircraft has red trim and the nose trim is provided as a decal.

Next is another F-104C, this time with the 436 TFS/479 TFW at George AFB in 1959. This time the trim is in yellow.

Option C is an F-104A with the 538 FIS based at Larson AFB in Washinton during 1958.

Our fourth airplane is another F-104A, this time based with the 319 FIS at Homestead AFB in 1964. Except for the burner section, this plane was overall ADC Grey.  On this plane the underside of the wings are not white.

The lone Navy plane is an F-104A assinged to the Navy Ordnance Test Station at China Lake. The bands on the nose and rear fuselage are da-glo red. These are the markings it had before being destroyed in a crash in 1961

Number 6 is an F-104A from the 331 FIS, Webb AFB in Texas during 1964. This aircraft took part in sonic boom tests with the FAA. Red tailhook and no cannon.

Finally, a very plain F-104C with the 435 TFS/6252 TFW based at Da Nang in 1965. The plane is named 'Fannie'. This aircraft was in overall Corrouguard with a bare metal hot section. The fin and stabilizer were in ADC Grey. This scheme is not shown in the above markings image, but you can see the TAC badge and name on the sheet image at the top.

The decals themselves are perfectly printed by Cartograf and Victory Models provides outstanding and colorful placement guides and instructions. If you have one of these big Starfighters, now you have no excuse not to build it.

September 2014

Thanks to Victory Models for the review sheet. You can find this and other products by visiting their website.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.