Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1046

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 Air Defence Competition evaluated the readiness of ground crews, pilots and radar operators. Pilots and aircraft would be situated at each end of the runways and when radar detected possible threats a scramble was issued. The length of time it took to launch aircraft and intercept the intruder was recorded. F-104G c/n 683D-8024 was assembled by Fokker in Holland, completed its maiden flight September 13, 1962 and was delivered as JA+111 to JG 71 at Wittmund AB on July 17, 1963. Withdrawn from use in December 1973 for spare parts and eventually scrapped.

Specifications :

Manufacturer:	Lockheed
Designation:	F-104G Starfighter
Crew:	1 (pilot)
Length:	16.66 M.
Height:	4.09 M
Wingspan:	6.63 M
Wing Area:	18.22 Sq. M
Empty weight:	6345 Kg.
Gross weight:	9362 Kg.
Max. weight:	13171 Kg
Range:	1754 Km
Cruise Speed:	821 km/h
Max. Speed:	1844 km/h
Climb:	14,630 M/min
Ceiling:	15240 M.
Wing loading:	563kg/m2
Powerplant:	1General Electric J-79-GE-11A (A/B 7,067 Kg.)
Thrust:	4356 Kg