The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft that served with the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1958 until 1967. It continued in service with the Air National Guard until it was phased out in 1975. Subsequently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continued to fly a small fleet. NASA F-104s flew in support of the X-15 and XB-70 projects. F-104s continued supporting the spaceflight programs until they were retired in 1995 and replaced by F/A-18 Hornets.

An updated Starfighter sold well among the NATO air forces of Germany, Canada, and Italy: these high-speed fighter-bomber variants continued in service until the mid-1980s. The last Italian Air Force examples were retired in 2004. The later-model Starfighter versions gained a reputation as a "flying coffin" and "Witwenmacher" (Widowmaker) for their high accident rate. In Germany and Italy alone, more than 400 airplanes were lost in accidents. Many air forces using F-104s eventually replaced them with the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Greek Air Force Lockheed F-104G Starfighter interceptor attached to 336 Squadron "Olympus." Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 4-inches
Length: 9-inches

Release Date: January 2007

Historical Account: "Ulysses" - Greece originally received forty five F-104Gs and six TF-104Gs under the US MAP (Military Assistance Program) in 1964. In 1972, an additional lot of used planes started to be bought, with nine F-104Gs and one TF-104G aircraft acquired from Spain. In 1982, ten more F-104Gs were purchased from the Netherlands. The largest acquisition came when thirty eight F-104Gs, twenty two RF-104Gs and twenty TF-104Gs were bought from West Germany's inventory. The West German planes were acquired mainly between 1981 – 1988. With one hundred second hand planes, some had to be mothballed and used as spare parts.

Originally flown with just the natural metal finish, they eventually were given a three color camouflage paint scheme. The dorsal section was layered in olive drab, dark green, and sand, while the ventral half was kept a light grey. These planes were flown by two Greek squadrons, the first being 335 Mira from the 114 Pterix (Wing) based at Tanagra Air Base. The second was 336 Mira, also based at Tanagra AB at the time. On December 21st, 1966, 336 Mira was moved to a new base at 116 Pterix at Araxos AB. The F-104 served in the Hellenic (Greek) Air Force until 1993 when 336 "Olympus" Mira Diokseos Bombardismou (Fighter-Bomber Squadron) was finally deactivated on March 31st.