Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1059

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

The Japanese ACM Meets (Air Combat Maneuvering) were meant to improve air crew knowledge and hone their skills. These ACM Meets first took place in 1979 and lasted until 1984. ACM 5 took place in late 1983 and one of the 3 F-104s representing 207 Hikotai was F-104DJ 36-5017. The 207th Hikotai, 7th Kokudan, was based at Hyakuri AB before being transferred to Naha AB in 1972. The last F-104J was retired by the 207th Hikotai in March 1986 with 36-5017 being one of 5 F-104DJs transferred to the RoCAF.

Specifications:

F-104DJ is the dual-control variant
Engine:	1 x 15,600-lb thrust J79-IHI-11A Japanese-built GE J79-GE-11A afterburning turbojet.
Weight:
Empty:	13,900 lbs.
Max Takeoff:	29,303 lbs.
Dimensions:
Wing Span:	21ft 9in
Length:	54ft 8in.
Height:	13ft. 5in.
Performance:	Maximum speed at 50, 000 ft. – 1,145 mph (Mach 2.2).
Service ceiling:	50,000ft.
Rate of climb:	48,000 ft./min.
Range:	1,080 miles.
Armament:	1 x 20mm six-barrel cannon only on the later versions, early versions were without it and replaced by a fuel tank
	2 x wingtip mounted Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
	2 x rack-mounted air-to-air Sidewinder missiles on the fuselage forward-centerline.
	Provisions for wingtip mounted fuel tanks and optional fuel drop tanks under the wings