Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1050 Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter USAF, 58th TTW, 418th TFTS, Luke AFB, 1976

The extreme shape of the Starfighter earned it the first nickname of “The Missile With a Man in it” and some USAF pilots also called it “Zipper” or “Zipper 104” because of it’s tremendous speed. After it proved to be challenging to fly, with high fatal accident rates, particularly in German service the plane was given many more nicknames because of its high speed and ability to occassionally fly itself into the ground. In Germany they referred to it as Witwenmacher (“widowmaker”), fliegender Sarg (“flying coffin”) or Erdnagel (“ground nail”, the official military term for a tent peg). Others were, Pakistan Badmash “Hooligan”, Italy because of it’s spiked nose Spillone “Hatpin” and bara volante “Flying Coffin”, Canada “Lawn Dart”. Primarily powered by a single 15 800 lb thrust General Electric J79-GE11A turbojet engine, equipped with afterburner, it was capable of high speeds (just under 1300 mph) and high rates of climb. On December 14, 1959, an F-104C set a world altitude record of 103,395 ft (31.5 km). The Starfighter was the first aircraft to hold simultaneous official world records for speed, altitude, and time-to-climb.

From 1964 until 1983 the West German Air Force trained their F-104 pilots at Luke AFB in Arizona. Originally the USAF 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing was assigned the task before being re-designated the 58th TTW. The German pilots trained using German F-104s with U.S. serials and markings. The 418th TFTS operated as part of the 58th TTW from October 1969 until 15 August 1976 when it was disbanded. Early in 1976 one F-104 was given a special paint scheme to commemorate the USA Bicentennial.

Specifications for the F-104G / TF-104G 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

Die-cast metal. Superb detailing in 1/72 scale. Pilot figure Pad applied markings. Fully assembled. Display stand included. Option to display model with wheels up or down. Minimum use of plastic. Very collectable