1/72 AMT/Hasegawa Belgium F-104G Starfighter

I knew I should NOT have followed the directions! LOL Getting the speed brakes in with the exhaust nozzle cemented in was a PINA! Also, I already managed to break one of the MLG struts!! :'(

Gotta shim the intakes. Annoying but actually easier than trying to putty the back of the splinter plate.

Managed to get the cockpit in and the intakes on.

Was looking for my 'Gunmetal' color to do the darker metal areas on the tail but couldn't find it and thought that 'Steel' might work. Unfortunately, the Vallejo 'Steel' color is only a half shade different than the Rustoleum 'Metallic Aluminum' that I used for the kit! Well, at least there is some paint on it.

Getting ready to mask off the fuselage to paint the wings. This stand is handy but I had to remove one of the supports to fit the long body of the Starfighter. Since I have quite a few in my stash I am considering getting one with just the three braces.
Edit: I don't know why I didn't paint the wings and THEN put them on like I usually do! Masking them off is kinda a PINA!

Wings painted. Just have to finish putting the petals on the inside of the exhaust nozzle, since the kit was rather simplified! Once I start decaling I know I will be in the home stretch! :-P

Managed to screw up the intake lip painting. But I should be able to fix it later.

Before starting the decals I stuck the horizontal stab, canopy, wing tanks and nozzle on. Wanted to see if the work I did inside the nozzles would even be noticeable. Guess I would have to drybrush it lightly in there for anyone to actually see the work.

Calling it a night but just have to finish up the decals and put the fiddly bits on!

Got the fuselage finished. I was actually shaking from frustration so I stopped there. Now I really understand why some older guys don't bother with 1/72 scale! Two decals broke apart, I lost two to the carpet monster and 3 or 4 are all cadywampus because I must have touched them putting on another decal and didn't notice!