[MKA14434] F-104G ‘Wingtip-mounted Sidewinders’ Conversion set

Description

The F-104 Starfighter was an American jet fighter, designed by the Lockheed Aircraft Company in 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-104 was a single-seat, all-metal mid-wing monoplane powered by a GE 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. It mounted one multi-barrel gun in the nose, two Sidewinder missiles at each wingtip and optionally also another pair of AAMs beneath the fuselage or wings.
The F-104G was the most important production version, based on the previous C model, modified to serve as a multi-role, all-weather fighter. It possessed a strenghtened structure and enlarged tail surfaces. It was fitted with improved electronics and carried heavier weapons load. This Starfighter version was earmarked for production in Europe, where substantial numbers were built by Fiat, Fokker, Messerschmitt/MBB and SABCA for local air forces, but this variant was also built by Canadair and Lockheed. In total, some 1,120 F-104Gs were built, including the RF-104G reconnaissance variant.
West Germany operated a total of 749 F/RF-104Gs between 1961 and 1991. Italian Air Force received 125 F/RF-104Gs and used them from early 1960s until 1993. The Netherlands took delivery of 120 Fokker and Fiat-built F/RF-104Gs and flew them in the period 1962-84.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1) Lockheed (SABCA-built) F-104G Starfighter, c/n 683D-9081, Black JD+112, JG 74 (Jagdgeschwader, Fighter Wing), Federal German Air Force (Luftwaffe), Neuburg Air Base, West Germany, 1964-67

2) Lockheed (Fokker-built) F-104G Starfighter, c/n 683D-8099, Black D-8099, No.312 Sq., Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu), Leeuwarden Air Base, the Netherlands, 1963-67

3) Lockheed (Fiat-built) F-104G Starfighter, c/n 683D-6547, MM6547, White 21-06, 21º Gruppo (Squadron), 53º Stormo Caccia (Fighter Wing), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), Cameri Air Base, Italy, 1966

Assembly instructions:

MKA14434 F-104G Wingtip-mounted Sidewinders_instr web