Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1053 Lockheed TF-104G ROCAF 4147, Ching Chun Kang AFB

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.

On May 22, 1998, after thirty eight years of service the RoCAF held a retirement ceremony for its F-104s. The decommissioning ceremony was held at Ching Chuang Kang (CCK) Air Base (AB) because the base is home to the 8th TFS, the first ROCAF squadron to operate the F-104. For the very conservative event seven F-104s had new paint and fin markings with each one different and representing the seven former F-104 squadrons. One badge was a “Baby Dragon” applied to TF-104G 4147 (61-12236) representing the 28th TFS. Somehow during the refurbishment of this aircraft for the retirement event, the incorrect serial 61-12236 was applied. The correct serial for this airframe should be 61-03030 that had accumulated 6,000 flying hours. The aircraft is on a pole at the CCK AFB wearing the markings of the 427th TFW and still wearing the incorrect serial 61-12236. When retired the total RoCAF F-104 flying hours were 380,000.

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