Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1038

General Background

The F-104 Starfighter was an military aircraft with revolutionary designs. It had short razor-sharp wings and was the first aircraft to be able to maintain Mach 2 not just in short bursts. 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 F-104C Starfighter 56-0886 was produced in 1956 c/n 383-1174. The 479th TFW sent 28 F-104Cs to Da Nang Air Base in April 1965. The 476th TFS from April 19, 1965 until July 11, 1965 the 436th TFS, which included 56-0886 “Fannie”, operated from July 12, 1965 until October 12, 1965. When the 435th TFS took over until December 20, 1965 F-104C 56-0886 was transferred to them. These aircraft performed combat air patrols protecting EC-121 Warning Stars and later air-to-ground missions. The 479th TFW flew 506 missions accumulating 1,707 flying hours.

Specifications :

Span:	21 ft. 11 in.
Length:	54 ft. 10 in
Height:	13 ft. 6 in.
Weight:	27,853 lbs. max
Armament:	One M-61 20mm cannon, two air-to-air missiles: nuclear or conventional bombs
Empty:	One General Electric J-79 of 15,800 lbs. thrust with afterburner
Crew:	One
Cost:	$1,471,000 (1950 & early 60's dollars)
Normal Performance:
Maxium Speed:	1,320 mph.
Cruising Speed:	576 mph.
Range:	1,250 miles
Service Ceiling:	58 000 ft