F 104 building

10. February 2017

I wrote that I started cooperation with Damiano Orizio, famous Italian modeler and RC jet models constructor.

Damiano has for years sold plans, and when we met, we came up with the idea that I could buy a laser cut machine and offer the opportunity to purchase wooden kits of model he designed.

First on the list was Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.

As I said, I've got the drawings, after which I started to cut parts.During the work, looking at the parts, I figured that I could make an F 104 model, which I had the opportunity to show the design, and later I could make a Detail set and other sets for scale model surface.During building process I'll see what still needs to be prepared to offer with a wooden kit, I mean the other parts, such ascabin, wing joiners, tubes, small parts, etc...Also, production of the model will give me the insight that all parts are accounted for, how they fit, whether it be to make a small rewrite, edit ...At this point, I take opportunity to say that all of our customers, if they encounter any problems can feel free to contact us andwe'll solve everything.These are complex models, has many parts, and there is always the possibility that errors occur.This is especially important to me, because as I said, I've got drawings and during the preparation I'll check that all the partsare there and how all been constructed.

At the same time I began to work on my model, I got e-mail from first customer, and he told me that his Starfighter arrived and began with the composition.

This topic will be good "manual" for assembling...

I start with tip tank. I used a pair of drawings that I got from Damiano, to know how to sort the parts. Everything fit perfectly...

But when I wanted to add this part, I saw no openings on it.

13. February 2017

In parallel with the tip tanks began to work on the fuselage.

I was delighted with many details, first how all the pieces fit, then with the frame which shows the work of mechanical engineers. Everything is strong just after assembling, without glue. Parts are made so that you can not replace them, because the gutters are of different dimensions and simply can not be compiled.

The front and rear of the fuselage, composed for an hour ...

Rear fuselage part...

Damiano send me drawings of part for rudder - elevator connection. This part must be made from quality aluminum, so before I go to machine workshop to order it, I print one prototype on my 3D printer, to see how it looks and to can show the correct forms...

My friend Martin made 3D file and g-code for part...

And for the end of today post, few pictures to have vision how big Starfighter is...

I start work on center fuselage part today, but it is made from a lot of parts, so this section must have insignias for easier assembling. That will be firs job tomorrow...

23. February 2017

The last ten days have been pretty exciting.

I worked on Starfighter, was in Germany in IQ Hammer where buy new turbine, have many conversations with Damiano, sell two more F 104 kits... Madness...

Same like front and rear fuselage section, middle part was the excellent engineering projected and designed. To be frank, this is most complicated part on model, but assembling was easy.

First, I compiled all to see in which order I glued parts. I must order aluminum tubes for landing gear carrier, wing joiners, elevator tube and wing guide.

Damiano send me all dimensions, and after that I can order tubes. Some are squares, some rounded. Now all this tubes I offer like optionally parts in F 104 wooden kit.

Few ribs, where will be wing connection on fuselage, I made separately and later glued in center fuselage section.

Other part of fuselage middle section was made separately and at the end all was composed...

For front landing gears must be added two aluminum tubes 16 x 20 mm. Tubes are not glued for now...

For easier access, Damiano made cover that can be removed.

OK, now I have all fuselage parts, so next step was to put all together...

Parallel with this, I worked on tip tanks and start wings.

Tip tanks are boring job, because cover must be made from many narrow stripes. I think to made removable tip tanks for easier transportation.

Wings are very easy to create. First step was to made square "frame" for ribs "legs".

All sides and parts should be at right angles. I used aluminum tubes and triangles to made everything at an angle of 90 degrees...

Than 3 mm balsa plates, first on rear side, next on leading edge...

Same process will be made on other wing half...

Next page