Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1051

General Background

The F-104 Starfighter 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”. The F-104 was operated by approximately 15 countries. The Starfighter first flew with the USAF in 1958 and the last airplane was decommissioned in Italy in 2004.

The Aircraft

In 1983 the TF-104G that was selected for the special paint scheme “Blue Boelcke” commemorating the 25th Anniversary of JaboG 31 “Boelcke” was c/n 583F-5961. The aircraft was delivered to JG 74 on January 22, 1968. On November 25, 1974 28+31 was transferred to JG 31 and then on November 8, 1989 was withdrawn from service and became the property of the Hellenic Air Force coded TF-5961. Four years later the aircraft was permanently withdrawn from service, restored an located at Tanagra Air Base.

Specifications:

Manufacturer:	Lockheed
Designation:	F-104G Starfighter, single-seat, TF-104G two-seats
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
Maximum speed:	1844 km/h
Climb :	14,630 M/min
Ceiling:	15240 M
Wing loading:	563kg/m2
Powerplant:	1 General Electric J-79-GE-11A (A/B 7,067 Kg.)
Thrust:	4356 Kg