1/72 Hobby Master No: HA1032, Lockheed TF-104G, Starfighter, Luftwaffe Mid 1980s

(Out of Production…Rare and Highly Collectable)

• 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
• Canopy can be displayed open or closed
• Pilot figure included
• Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic
• Highly collectable




The F-104 Starfighter was a revolutionary design with short razor-sharp wings. It 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”. Because of financial considerations 15 or more countries purchased the F-104. The Starfighter flew with the USAF in 1958 and the last airplane was decommissioned in Italy in 2004.   




Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter

The TF-104G (Lockheed Model 583-10-20) was the combat-capable two-seat version of the F-104G. It had a cockpit canopy similar to that of the F-104D, with a fixed transparent area separating the two separate leftward-opening canopies. It was fitted with the NASARR fire control system of the single-seat F-104G and was equipped with underwing racks which could accommodate many of the same offensive weapons that the single-seat F-104G could carry. However, the TF-104G did not have the centerline bomb rack of the single seat F-104G version. As in the case of the F-104B and D two-seaters of the USAF, the 20-mm Vulcan cannon that the single-seat F-104G carried had to be deleted, some internal equipment had to be rearranged, and the internal fuel capacity had to be reduced.




All of the TF-104G two-seaters were built by Lockheed, although some used components supplied by the European Starfighter consortium. Since the TF-104G aircraft was so similar to the F-104D two-seater of the USAF, no prototype was built and the first machine was actually a production machine. Including 48 aircraft assembled from components supplied by the European Starfighter consortium, Lockheed built a total of 220 TF-104Gs in six versions, generally distinguished from each other by the nation which was to receive them. These versions were identified by adding a letter after their Model 583 company designations. Models 583C through H were respectively versions destined for MAP delivery to Germany and Italy, and for direct delivery to Holland, Germany, Belgium, and Italy.




Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter “583F-5965”


Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter was c/n 583F-5965 built by Messerschmitt with the first flight taking place on November 20, 1967. The aircraft had a Norm 62 camo paint scheme with code 28+35 went to WaSLw 10 (training school) in January 1968 before going to JaboG 31, on December 8, 1977, back to the school then transferred to JaboG 32 wearing a Lizard camo and then JaboG 34. Next stop was LVR 1 “F-104 Kommando” (Air Force Supply Regiment) in 1987 and removed from service October 1988 and in December 1988 sold the Greece.




Specifications for the Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter 




Role - Combat-capable dual-control trainer version of F-104G




Total Aircraft Manufactured - (220) TF-104G Models out of 2,578 total nuber built (all variants)




Manufacturer - Lockheed Corporation / Messerschmitt




Crew - (2) Pilot and Instructor




Dimensions

Maximum Length - 54 ft. 8 in.

Height - 13 ft. 6 in.

Wingspan - 21 ft. 9 in

Wing Area - 196.1 sq. ft.




Weights

Empty - 13,996 lbs.

Combat - 20,640 lbs.

Maximum Takeoff - 29,038 lbs.




Powerplant  

Engines - (1) General Electric J79-GE-11A afterburning turbojet engine

Dry Thrust Per Engine - 10,000 lb. st

Afterburner Thrust Per Engine - 15,600 lb. st




Performance

Maximum Speed - 1,146 mph at 50,000 ft., 1,328 mph at 35,000 ft.

Mach - 1.73

Initial Climb Rate - 48,000 fpm

Service Ceiling - 56,100 ft.

Absolute Ceiling - 90,000 ft.

Combat Radius - 420 mi

Maximum Range - 1,630 miles with 4 drop tanks




Armament 

Fixed - None




4 Hardpoints - (2) wing tip, (2) under-wing (TF-104G)




Disposable (Air to Air) - (up to 4) AIM-9B Sidewinder infrared homing air-to-air missiles




Disposable (Air to Ground) - Mark 80 series bombs, Paveway laser guided bombs (with third party laser designation), 2.75” rockets, and AGM-12 Bullpup missiles