Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1062

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

Of the 916 F-104s Germany received 137 of the 220 TF-104G variants produced. The TF-104G was designed as a training aircraft that had no cannons, no center-pylon and reduced internal fuel. About 151 F-104Gs were assigned to the Marinefliege's two naval attack squadrons, Marinefliegergeschwader MFG 1 and 2 for maritime strike and reconnaissance roles. Both squadrons were based at Naval Air Station Eggebeck. Deliveries of the F-104 took place from 1960 until 1973. F-104G 27+79 was manufactured as 5908 and at the end of its German service it went to Greece.

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