Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1059 Lockheed F-104DJ Starfighter 36-5017, 207 Hikotai. ACM Meet 1983

The Lockheed F-104J was the Japanese Starfighter with the “J” standing for Japan. The first F-104Js were just re-assembled “G” versions and first flew in March 8, 1962. Because the Japanese constitution forbid offensive weapons the F-104J was set up purely as an interceptor. The Japanese referred to the Starfighter as “Eikou (Glory) while other countries called it the “Widow Maker”. Instead of a 20mm cannon the early variants had an additional fuel tank and could carry four Sidewinder missiles or drop tanks but no bombs.

The Japanese ACM Meets (Air Combat Maneuvering) were meant to improve air crew knowledge and hone their skills. These ACM Meets first took place in 1979 and lasted until 1984. ACM 5 took place in late 1983 and one of the 3 F-104s representing 207 Hikotai was F-104DJ 36-5017. The 207th Hikotai, 7th Kokudan, was based at Hyakuri AB before being transferred to Naha AB in 1972. The last F-104J was retired by the 207th Hikotai in March 1986 with 36-5017 being one of 5 F-104DJs transferred to the RoCAF.

Japan Air Self Defense Force aircraft Insignia True 1/72 scale Professionally painted Great attention to detail All markings are Tampoed (pad applied) Option to display the model on a stand that is provided Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions Optional armament has been provided Canopy opens Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic Highly collectable Specifications F-104J F-104DJ is the dual-control variant Engine: 1 x 15,600-lb thrust J79-IHI-11A Japanese-built GE J79-GE-11A afterburning turbojet.

Weight: Empty - 13,900 lbs. Max Takeoff - 29,303 lbs.

Dimensions: Wing Span - 21ft 9in. Length - 54ft 8in. Height - 13ft. 5in.

Performance: Maximum speed at 50, 000 ft. - 1,145 mph (Mach 2.2). Service ceiling - 50,000ft. Rate of climb - 48,000 ft./min. Range - 1,080 miles.

Armament: 1 x 20mm six-barrel cannon only on the later versions, early versions were without it and replaced by a fuel tank. 2 x wingtip mounted Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. 2 x rack-mounted air-to-air Sidewinder missiles on the fuselage forward- centerline. Provisions for wingtip mounted fuel tanks and optional fuel drop tanks under the wings