Note: Before you begin, click the link to the Tulsa, Oklahoma group The Gap Band. Their hit, “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” is the perfect listening accompaniment for this topic. The DIAZO effects used in the video are kinda cool, too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17lkdqoLt44&list=RD17lkdqoLt44&start_radio=1&t=31

With apologies to Wikipedia... “PAVE Way is a series of laser-guide bombs (L.G.B.). PAVE, or pave, is sometimes used as an acronym for Precision Avionics Vectoring Equipment; literally, electronics for controlling the speed and direction of aircraft. Laser guidance is a form of PAVE.

The Zoukei Mura Kit

Refer to Part 1 for the base construction of this fine model kit. New Ware masks are part NWAM0332 and cost $8.62

Aftemarket Accessories Used

Several months ago I had the opportunity to review the New Ware Expert Kabuki canopy mask set that I had originally planned to use on a Zoukei Mura F-4S Phantom sometime later. However with the opportunity to build and review the "J" version I decided now is the time to utilize this set. Since the Zoukei Mura Phantom have had their fair share of reviews I will focus my efforts on describing the use of the New Ware canopy masks.

Tom Cooper is an Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian. Following a career in the worldwide transportation business – during which he established a network of contacts in the Middle East and Africa – he moved into narrow-focus analysis and writing on small, little-known air forces and conflicts, about which he has collected extensive archives. That resulted in specialization in such Middle Eastern air forces as of those of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, plus various African and Asian air forces. In addition to authoring and co-authoring about 50 books - including about three dozen titles for Helion’s @War series - and well over 1,000 articles, Cooper is a regular correspondent for multiple defense-related publications.

I hate to mask canopies and helicopters, especially transport ones, have plenty. I am a huge fan of pre-cut masks. Building the Kitty Hawk MH-60L was a lot of fun.

The Eduard masking set offers masks for the front windshield, overhead panels, pilot doors, window sliding doors, chin bubbles, cargo doors, and wheels. You also get masks for the landing lights. This is really a complete set which will help in making this kit.

The masking set comes in a typical resealable package with card stock inside, which protects the masks. The masks themselves are precisely cut from Kabuki tape. This is the best material for the compound curves. There are two sheets, the one is for the sliding cargo doors, and the other has masks for all the other pieces. You will have to add masking fluid to cover some areas but that is to be expected with the large expanses and compound curves.

The instructions are very helpful and show exactly how to use what and where.

The F-104, known as “the missile with a man in it” is a sterling example of US cold war aircraft design. Designed to intercept incoming Soviet bombers the F-104 had great speed at the expense of range and the addition of wingtip tanks came at the expense of armament. Frontline USAF service was not that lengthy, although they did serve in Vietnam. The F-104 did serve a long time with the National Guard. Foreign Service is where the F-104 was used in the greatest numbers and the longest time. License built in Europe and Japan there was a long history of service in these various air forces.

Mr. Bowman’s book is broken down into 11 chapters, covering from development to the post military service Starfighters display team. The book is an easy, enjoyable read with many pilot’s stories to bring firsthand accounts of flying the F-104 to the reader.