Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1032

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

Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter was c/n 583F-5965 built by Messerschmitt with the first flight taking place on November 20, 1967. The aircraft had a Norm 62 camo paint scheme with code 28+35 went to WaSLw 10 (training school) in January 1968 before going to JaboG 31, on December 8, 1977, back to the school then transferred to JaboG 32 wearing a Lizard camo and then JaboG 34. Next stop was LVR 1 “F-104 Kommando” (Air Force Supply Regiment) in 1987 and removed from service October 1988 and in December 1988 sold the Greece.

Specifications for the Lockheed F-104G / TF-104G Starfighter:

F-104G
Role:	(all-weather multi-role fighter-bomber
Production:	1,122
Crew:	1
TF-104G
Role:	combat-capable trainer version of F-104G
Production:	220
Crew:	2
NORMAL PERFORMANCE
Engine:	1 x General Electric J-79 of 15,600 lbs. thrust with afterburner
Increased Internal Fuel Capacit
Maximum speed:	1,320 mph
Cruising Speed:	575 mph
Combat Radius:	420 mi
Ferry Range:	1,630 mi
Service Ceiling:	58,000 ft
Rate Of Climb:	48,000 ft/min
Dimensions
Span:	21 ft. 11 in
Length:	54 ft. 10 in
Height:	13 ft. 6 in
Weight
Empty:	14,000 lbs
Loaded:	20,640 lbs
Maximum Takeoff:	29,027 lbs
Armament
F-104G	1 x M-61 20mm M61 Vulcan 6-barrel cannon
Hardpoints:	7 x capable of carrying a maximum 4,000 lbs of stores
Located:	2 x wing-tip launch rails for AIM-9 Sidewinder or similar missiles
	4 x 2 under each wing
	1 x under-fuselage center-line pylon
TF-104G	No cannon or centerline pylon
	Reduced internal fuel