Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1056

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 1965 the Spanish Air Force received 18 Canadair–built F-104Gs and 3 Lockheed built dual-seat TF-104G. The single-seat F-104Gs were designated C.8. The 3 dual-seat TF-104Gs were designated CE.8. The Spanish Air Force used the F-104 to do the role of interceptor that it was designed for and over 7 years there were zero losses. In 1972 the 104s were replaced by F-4C Phantoms and returned to the USAF where they were transferred to Greece and Turkey.

Specifications:

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 Capacity :
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