Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1023

General Background

The F-104 Starfighter was a revolutionary design with short razor-sharp wings. It was the first aircraft to be able to maintain Mach 2 not just in short bursts. The Starfighter shattered speed and rate of climb records that still are impressive today. This extremely high speed earned the plane the nickname "The Missile With A Man In It". Because of financial considerations 15 or more countries purchased the F-104. The Starfighter flew with the USAF in 1958 and the last airplane was decommissioned in Italy in 2004.

The Aircraft

The F-104J was the Japanese Starfighter with the “J” standing for Japan . In 1959 the F-104J was chosen as the replacement aircraft for the F-86 and the first flew was in March 8, 1962 . . A total of 210 was received in December 1967. The Japanese referred to the Starfighter as “Eikou (Glory) while other countries called it the “Widow Maker”. These aircraft equipped seven squadrons (Hikoutai) with the 207th Sq. 83rd Air Group assigned to the Southwestern Air Defense Force, Naha Airbase, Okinawa . In March 1986 the 207th who were referred to as “F-104 Brothers” were the last to retire the Starfighters for the F-15J. Over the years 15% of the F-104s were lost to accidents.

Specifications :

Engine:	1 x 15,600-lb thrust GE J79-GE-11A afterburning turbojet.
Weight:	Empty 13,900 lbs., Max Takeoff 29,303 lbs.
Wing Span:	21ft 9in.
Length:	54ft 8in.
Height:	13ft. 5in.
Performance:	Maximum speed at 50, 000 ft. – 1,145 mph (Mach 2.2).
Service ceiling:	50,000ft.
Rate of climb:	48,000 ft./min.
Range:	1,080 miles.
Armament:	1 x 20mm six-barrel cannon only on the later versions, early versions were without it replaced by a fuel tank.
	Two wingtip mounted Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
	Two rack mounted air-to-air Sidewinder missiles on the forward center-line of the belly.
	Provisions for wingtip mounted fuel tanks and optional fuel drop tanks under the wings.