Mark I 1/144 F104B/C/CF104/CF104D American Starfighters (2 in 1) Kit Estimated Processing Time: 2-3 Business Days

The F-104 Starfighter was an American jet fighter, designed by the Lockheed Aircraft Company in the early 1950s. Radical in concept, it was the first operational interceptor capable of sustained speeds above Mach 2. Its prototype flew in 1954 and the first series aircraft were delivered four years later.

The F-104C was the second single-seat version and was configured for tactical strike missions. This model featured a more powerful engine, removable in-flight refueling probe and could carry the bomb and/or rocket pods on underwing and fuselage pylons. 77 aircraft were built and delivered in 1958-59.

The CF-104 was a Canadian-built single-seat Starfighter, similar to the F-104G. It was fitted with a locally-built engine and equipment, including a refueling probe. In total, 200 CF-104s were manufactured and they mainly served with Canadian units in Europe in the period from 1962 to 1986.

For combat training, the F-104B dual-control Starfighter was designed. Its cannon was removed, electronics relocated, but provision for underwing and wingtip drop tanks and Sidewinder installation was retained. 26 F-104Bs were delivered in 1957-58. The CF-104D was a two-seat trainer, similar to the TF-104G, built by Lockheed for the RCAF and powered by a Canadian engine. 38 aircraft were built in 1962-64, of which the last 16 were fitted with slightly different equipment and designated CF-104D Mk.2.

The F-104 was an all-metal mid-wing monoplane powered by a J79 turbojet. It had two fuselage-side air intakes, small thin wings with a pronounced anhedral and a T-tail. Its nose undercarriage retracted forward on single-seaters, while that of the two-seat version retracted rearward. The CF-104s and the two-seaters had the fin area increased, compared to that of the C model. The F-104C/CF-104 also mounted one multi-barrel gun in the nose and two Sidewinder missiles at each wingtip.

The Starfighter had only a relatively short career with the USAF, but it became the backbone of a number of NATO and Allied air forces, serving all over the world from the 1960s well into the early 2000s.

Color schemes included in the kit:

1. Lockheed F-104C-5-LO Starfighter, s/n 56-0906 (c/n 1194), Black FG-906, 434th TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron), 479th TFW (Tactical Fighter Wing), US Air Force, George Air Force Base, California, U.S.A., 1959
2. Lockheed (Canadair-built) CF-104 Starfighter, s/n 104733 (renumbered from 12733, c/n 1033), Black 733, No.439 TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron), No.1 CAG (Canadian Air Group), Canadian Armed Forces/Forces armées Canadiennes, CFB Baden-Söllingen, Germany, late 1970s/early 1980s
3. Lockheed F-104B-10-LO Starfighter, s/n 57-1305 (c/n 5017), Black 0-71305, 198th TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron), Puerto Rico ANG (Air National Guard), Muñiz ANG Base, Carolina, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 1969-72, marked as 31st TFW/TAC” a/c and seen at Homestead AFB, Florida, U.S.A., November 1971
4. Lockheed CF-104D Mk.2 Starfighter, s/n 104653 (renumbered from 12653, c/n 5323), Black 653, No.439 TFS (Tactical Fighter Squadron), No.1 CAG (Canadian Air Group), Canadian Armed Forces/Forces armées Canadiennes, CFB Baden-Söllingen, Germany, during NATO ‘Tiger Meet’, Air Base (BA) 103 Cambrai-Épinoy, France, June 1979