Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1064

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

Built in 1960 by Lockheed as F-104F c/n 283-5064 it was a dedicated training aircraft without offensive weapons or radar. Originally given the code BB+377 and assigned to the WaSLw10 Luftwaffe in 1967 the codes were revised and BB+377 became 29+13. On March 6, 1970 this aircraft was written off while doing practice touch-and-goes at Jevers AB. Apparently after one of the landings the pilot retracted the landing gear too soon and the aircraft did a belly landing destroying the aircraft both occupants were unhurt.

Specifications:

The F-104F was a stripped down, dual control version of the F-104D but using the F-104G engine.
Crew:	1
Number of F-104Fs built :	30
Engine:	One General Electric J-79 of 15,800 lbs. thrust with afterburner
Weight:	27,853 lbs. max.
Dimensions:
Wing Span:	21 ft. 11 in.
Length:	54 ft. 10 in.
Height:	13 ft. 6 in.
Performance:	Maximum speed 1,320 mph
Cruising Speed:	575 mph
Service ceiling:	58,000 ft.
Rate of climb:	48,000 ft./min.
Range:	1,250 miles
Armament:	One M-61 20mm cannon
	two air-to-air missiles nuclear or conventional bombs