Lockheed F/TF-104 Starfighter
 

by Stefano Cosci

AVIOLIBRI Special 10

IBN Editore

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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Not a new phenomenon by any stretch of the imagination, modelling/aircraft books are enjoying a welcomed resurgence. If my memory serves me correctly, this genus first appeared back in 1972 when Airfix published a series of books covering their 1/24 scale range. The Italian publisher IBN has recognised the popularity of the genre and has released several titles covering aircraft operated by their defence forces.

The latest edition to this range covers the Lockheed F/TF-104 Starfighter. The book is in dual text of Italian and English with the left hand column of each page in Italian. Unfortunately, some of the translations as well as the spelling are a little clumsy making it a tad hard to follow at times.

The book is logically laid out and starts with a background of the evolution of the Starfighter and the reasons that it was procured by the Italians. From there, you are guided through the different marks operated by them including the F-104G, the RF-104G and the TF-104G. Following this, you are treated to the Note Modellisiche or Modellistic Features (an example of the quirky translation). This section covers the Hasegawa 1/48 kit and how to tailor it to build a replica of an Italian G model. The Colorazioni or Colouring section is next and it is very comprehensive covering the schemes worn by the Starfighter during its service. Disappointingly though it does not cover the fantastic one-off anniversary schemes that decal manufacturers seemingly queue to produce. The book is rounded out by the last chapter which is a technical description of the aircraft.

Good quality photographs (both black and white as well as colour) abound and there are three lots of profiles with the centre pages carrying an excellent three-view drawing of a camouflaged F-104G of 6˚ Stormo, 154˚ Gruppo. The photographs show the overall machine as well as close-ups of the cockpit, undercarriage and camera bays. What is missed in the photographs is covered by line drawings that look to be from technical manuals produced for maintainers of the Aircraft.

This book is a bit of a curate's egg really. If you are happy with, and subscribe to, the "a picture is worth a thousand words" brigade then you will be pleased with the book. If you like your reference to tell a story then you may be disappointed.

Will it help you build an accurate replica of an Italian F-104G? Yes it will, and for that reason it is recommended

The book is 20mm x 28mm and consists of 64 pages printed on semi-gloss pages between cardboard covers.

Recommended.

Thanks to I.B.N. Instituto Bibliografico Napoleone for the review copy.
 

Review Copyright © 2004 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 02 September, 2004
Last updated 02 September, 2004

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