Avonds F-104 Build

Video of my Avonds F-104 build...from new kit to first flight. Please watch my KZbin channel to see more videos.

[@richpaul8132]

O-U-T-S-T-A-N-D-I-N-G !!!! I no longer build and fly RC aircraft. I was in the hobby from around 1980 until maybe 1988 or 89. I recall they were just starting to get a real compressor jet engine going that could be installed in a small RC plane. That was just around the time of my divorce and of course, the hobbies all took a back seat. I was a first class machinist and have no doubt that my expertise in that trade helped me through all my stick-built planes. If I would have stayed in the hobby, I'm sure I would have tackled a project like yours but unfortunately, I didn't. This video is a work of art in itself and I simply could not stop watching! You've accomplished an incredible documentary in this video and yet, the one and only thing I was unhappy with was the fact that you never filmed the power plant, WHY?!!! I replayed the video because I thought I missed it but I didn't. There is simply no video documentation of the jet engine. Even with that great disappointment to me, I still have no choice but to rate the video as an AA+! (it would have got an AAA+ if the engine was filmed). That said, I personally never saw a video that I would have rated any higher than "A" so an AA+ is more than twice that! LOL. BTW, I saw the KZbin flight video (F-104 G STARFIGHTER GIGANTIC RC SCALE TURBINE MODEL JET 23Kg 19KG THRUST / JetPower Messe 2014) and I noticed that there were no lights! I really must watch it again, but I don't recall seeing any Nav lights and certainly no landing lights. Why didn't you turn them on? The after burner effect was missed as well. In fact, It's barely been a year ago that I accidentally came upon a KZbin video of a 1/12 scale SR-71, (with an AH-71 paint scheme), which had two After Burner equipped jet engines! They were real ABs and I realize that your F-104 used lighting effects for the AB appearance, but I thought your lighting effects were very good! I'm going to look around and see if you have any more vids with the ‘104 'lit-up'. I doubt that you haven't already seen it, (the SR-71 RC I mentioned earlier), but if you haven't, take a moment to watch the flight. It was at an airfield somewhere in Europe, (I think). Frankly, I can't remember where it was flown. Thanks again for a genuinely excellent and professionally made documentation of the F-104 G's build. You're obviously a meticulous builder with a sharp eye and uncompromising demand to be precise. These are traits not as often seen in people today as they used to be. Years before technology started to 'buffer' and 'compensate' designs that would have never worked without its intervention. I'm not saying that technology is a 'bad thing', not at all. However, I think it's still important to understand the engineering and design of most any machine, at least as far as its basic creation. Then, that's just me. FWIW :) Rich

[@MikeRR142]

Wow! I was blown away watching this. This video took more than a little time in itself to put together let alone the model. Loved the gear building sequence. Nice job! This needs to be broadcast on the DiscoveryChannel!!! Awesome.

[@SomeBoredGuy69]

What he said! LOL Very nice Jet and Video!

[@dcwwwcp]

By far one of the best RC videos I have ever seen ! Two amazing accomplishments, the plane and the video. It really is great to see someone build this bird. My father was in the 355 tactical fighter wing . He used to make comments that the F-104 was one of the most amazing planes he had ever seen fly. A fantastic job you have done. you are a true craftsman.

[@michaelpeylo1247]

Simply the best of the best F- 104 model plane. Absolutely outstanding. Thats it; Buildind and flying. Man, thats really great! Thank you for this! Greetings from Germany, Dortmund Michael Peylo

[@annaandgary1]

I have to say while watching this I just kept thinking how proud your dad would be, he taught you well and would be so pleased with the progression of the models and your very high level of achievement. Well done.

[@Tridente01a]

I watched all 33 of your building vids. It is a big pleasure to see your work. Congratulations for maiden!!!

[@medg1963]

Fantastic looking model and one of the best RC model videos I've ever watched. Thanks for posting

[@gino_vant1215]

really a GREAT job, and a very nice video. Congratulation! Gianluca

[@Leos-World]

This is one of the best build videos I've seen! At the beginning of the video I could have sworn it was the real thing. Just beautiful! The F-104 is my all time favorite jet airplane. Nice to see it in a German version. Congrats on a superb made model and all the best with the flights!

[@annavirginiadonadio1816]

LeosLeisureSit

[@wdibert]

excellent and good choice of music

[@edwardputnam7032]

What a fantastic video of a stunning build! Well done!

[@MsRomantiker]

Nice work shop and lot of patience.

[@良光池田]

素晴らしい出来具合ですね、感動しました。 私は、海上自衛隊出身ですが、F104ををこよなく愛する一人です。❤

[@WildHBill]

Holy cow what a beautiful jet and an outstanding video of the build an first flight.....a true master piece from an outstanding builder!

[@RichTiller]

I think your video was absolutely amazing. You music was perfect for the video. Your amount of time put in doing the time lapse pictures is seen. Great job!!!!

[@Ruecki1971]

That's RC cinema at its best! Great builder and awesome plane! Keep it up!

[@Power-Jets]

Inspiring video, true art of our great hobby.

[@francescoforte6890]

this is what i mean to be a modeller !!! thank you !!! francesco

[@kapottespatiebalk]

Great job!! just 1 thing...only the working of the rear anti col. lights and landing lights are correct. The lights of the tiptanks and air intake should be connected with the rear fuselage-lights. The anticoll light underneath the fuselage is NOT flashing.

[@s9523pink]

Amazing videography and build, a joy to watch....excellent works of art!

[@thomaswerner8821]

Beautyful Video, it's fun to see you work and the result. Thanks for sharing.

[@wayne25801]

Amazing Vid and Build man , keep it up very impressive .

[@mtacoustic1]

One beautiful 104!!!

[@tobiasweissenbach2522]

Beautiful F-104!!

[@RWJets]

Just outstandig Video!

[@DaveNT9E]

That is one badass build, Sean. Congrats!

[@enaltoe]

Great job + super video!!

[@jpurcha]

I always find your video's inspirational Sean. By the way, I liked the Winnipeg Jets T-shirt too. Jim

[@mp7986]

it's a great and fantastic work!! I'm sure that it hasn't been easy but the result is very nice!!!!

[@loedse]

WOW! Awesome Plane - awesome buildvideo! Respect!

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

You sir, are a bloody genius.

[@alex.pozgaj]

Unbelievable, thank you very much for sharing! Looking forward to seeing an in-flight video!

[@smaze1782]

Outstanding video.....I mean bravo sir!!

[@bernhardfritiof8414]

Lovey film, thanks for uploading!

[@paulhatfield498]

Awesome video.. Thanks for putting in the effort!

[@f76gg]

very nice jet, great jon

[@friedlhochhaeuser6707]

A beautiful airplane!

[@p3arljam26]

Is hard to find the time but building a plane must have great satisfaction when you see it fly for the first time.

[@anriveraalex]

Amazing work!!

[@MrWill12971]

well well done, awesome vid...:)

[@lylevasser]

Pure excellence! Great job!

[@jasons757]

Impressive sir!

[@mikeholt7881]

You work fast Man!!! Awesome vid, well done :)

[@carpetmonk]

Brilliant.. don't sneeze while landing! Thanx.

[@romangalyatovskyy3604]

гарна робота !

[@jab8162]

Awesome....

[@s9523pink]

Amazing!

[@elmiros33]

great job !!! what is the reactor in? thx

[@scalercer]

Kingtech K100

[@whyarentumadbro]

Fantastic. How many hours total would you say you have in the build?

[@scalercer]

Thanks! To be honest I have no idea. I'm guessing about 2.5 months in the build and another month to paint and install equipment. That's working most afternoons.

[@paulhatfield498]

Sean what airgun do you use when painting your planes? Do you use a different one when doing basecoats, larger areas etc?

[@scalercer]

Paul on a small model like this all the color was done using my airbrush. The clears were done with a 2-part rattle can spray that is mixed at the time you go to use it. Works very well. The clear is sold by Eastwood.

[@jimtraverse8099]

Wow

[@NicoMyers]

Cool video. What's the second song (the one with the violin and clapping) at 8:57?

[@scalercer]

thanks! It's called nothing to fear by Dexter Britain. At the end of the video the songs are listed in the order that they appear. - Sean

[@NicoMyers]

scalercer Thanks! Sorry, I didn't watch the credits :P

[@kitlot8541]

Does it still fly? I mean, it's "Starfighter G", they tend to crash eventually...

[@MennoProductions]

how long did this take you to build man britte facking nice!!

[@MrBioniclefan1]

how many F-104s did the germans loose to crashes?

[@neleabels]

+Gahlok12 In Germany, 296 Starfighters crashed, 116 pilots died.

[@NerdSteve]

Wow!!

[@danielemarinosci37]

Accomplished

[@jean-claudeterretaz7464]

Phenomenal

[@myteoable]

o

[@thepointreportshow1938]

with a German symbol.. not cool to me!! it's an American made plane

[@s9523pink]

German Airforce flys them. Are you serious?

[@MrBioniclefan1]

but it was sold to the Germans.

[@Diemerstein]

Germany was the largest operator of the F-104 by far, 917 to be exact. 200 were built in the United States, the rest in Germany. The F-104G was specifically designed for the Luftwaffe, it was the most capable but also the most dangerous to fly. Luftwaffe F-104's were mostly made in Germany, not the United Sates, it was however designed by Lockheed according to German specifications.

[@MrBioniclefan1]

Diemerstein Yes you are right about all of this stuff

[@icare79]

Hello. Fantastic ! I'm starting to build this kit. This vidéo give to me an idea the work to done.

[@feldi273]

Looks fantastic, Great job!