Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1056 Lockheed TF-104G 104-22, Spanish Air Force, late 1960s

The F-104G was known as the Super Starfighter, with the G standing for Germany, because they were among the first foreign orders for the Lockheed plane and they placed the largest order. Depending on the source there were between 1,122 and 1,700 G models built under license by 4 European companies, Canadair and Lockheed. The G was a multi-role all weather single seat fighter-bomber with a new upward firing ejection seat, a strengthened fuselage and wings, increased internal fuel capacity, new improved full length flaps added to the wings leading edge for better combat maneuvering, a larger vertical fin, a new radar system with air-air and air- ground modes, inertial navigation that made the F-104G the first production fighter to receive this new equipment, new infrared sight, an additional hard-point under each wing, improved weapons capability now was 4,000 lbs and beefed up landing gear and larger wheels to carry all the added weight of the improvements. The larger gear and wheels made it necessary to create a bulge in the fuselage to accommodate them. The G even received a new engine, though it didn’t deliver any more power it was a much more reliable engine. The G was considered the best version of the F-104.

In 1965 the Spanish Air Force Ejercito del Aire (EdA) received 18 Canadair- built F-104Gs and 3 Lockheed built dual-seat TF-104G. The single-seat F-104Gs were designated C.8 with serials running from C.8-1 to C.8-18. The 3 dual-seat TF-104Gs were designated CE.8 and had serials 21, 22, 23. The F-104 flew with the EdA for 7 years accumulating 17,000 operational hours without the loss of a single Starfighter. Perhaps this was due to the skill of the pilots or the fact that they Spanish used the F-104 to do the role of interceptor that it was designed for. Or perhaps it was a combination of both factors. In 1972 they were replaced by F-4C Phantoms and returned to the USAF where they were transferred to Greece and Turkey.

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