Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1041

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 57-0923 c/n 183-1180 was delivered to the USAF in May 1959. On September 19, 1966 the aircraft arrived at Udorn AFB assigned to the 435th TFS but returned to the U.S. on November 15, 1966 for a major overhaul. 57-0923 returned to Udorn in 1967 again assigned to the 435th TFS. The aircraft “Hellooo Dolly” was named after the squadron commander’s wife Dolly and the long Hellooo after the Broadway musical. Later in 1967 the aircraft was sent to the Puerto Rico ANG and written off in 1968.

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