I always wanted to build this kit after building the old Esci F-16,early version,cockpit.I got a good deal on the F-104 kit and noticed while looking over the parts that all the clear parts were smoked which includes the helmet visor,the HUD display glass,and the round lens lens for the HUD and radar glass.I can cast these parts that are needed in clear but the intructions call for the big radar clear piece to be painted red from behind with a decal with hash marks placed on top.I have never seen a 104 G cockpit at night but I thought the screen would be green not red so I figured I would ask someone who may know.I’m still trying to decide if I should use 3mm,5mm,and a 10 mm red l.e.d. to light the various guages for night ops and building the instrument cases around the backs of the l.e.d.s and panel because there is plenty of room to do so.Thanks for any help on the radar screen,and if it was a solid or pulsing color,thanks again.
First post welcome to the forum[snWcm] someone will be able to help .Ron
For get that fist post by me it’s wrong heres the right link: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/mediagallery.asp?galleryID=2283&page=6
Early tube type scopes had a color specific to the manufacturer and type. Green or red. The idea behind using a red hue is that red does not destroy night vision acuity.
Regardless of the color, the scopes are not very colorful with the power off. Do a Google search on F-104 cockpits…you’ll find images of said scope such as this one:
With the power off, the scope is nothing more than a red tinted lens much like a tail light. I would first apply the decal to the backside of the clear lens, then mix some Future and red food coloring together to mix up a transparent color for the scope. Apply it also to the back of the lens.
1 or 2 drops of food coloring to 1 oz of Future. Spray in a light coat. Let dry. Repeat as needed to get the depth of color saturation desired.
Thanks guys,I guess I will go ahead and cast my radar glass in clear unless I can find a bubble of plastic they use to put items in now from a store or heat form my own because the kit screen is smoked dark enough that I don’t know if you could see a transparent red.I may just glue a 10 mm red led where the radar screen is and place the decal followed by future.The only problem I see with placing the decal from the back of the lens is that it is surrounded with a red ring that may not be on the back of the decal film but the hash marks should be the same from behind.I think this screen would look cool lit up.