Introduced to the world as "the missile with a man in it," the striking Lockheed F-104 Starfighter promised to be the ultimate interceptor. Small, light in weight and with stunning straight-line performance, the F-104 was never agile enough to become what its designers wanted.

FIAT produced 246 Italian versions known as the F-104S. One aircraft crashed prior to delivery and is often not included in the total number built. The F-104S was upgraded for the interception role having NASARR R-21G/H radar with moving-target indicator and continuous-wave illuminator for SARH missiles (initially AIM-7 Sparrow), two additional wing and two underbelly hardpoints (increasing the total to nine), more powerful J79-GE-19 engine with 11,870 lbf (53 kN) and 17,900 lbf (80 kN) thrust, and two additional ventral fins for increased stability. The M61 cannon was sacrificed to make room for the missile avionics in the interceptor version but retained for the fighter-bomber variants. Up to two Sparrow; and two, theoretically four or six Sidewinder missiles were carried on all the hardpoints except the central (underbelly), or seven 340 kg bombs (normally two-four 227-340 kg). The F-104S was cleared for a higher maximum takeoff weight, allowing it to carry up to 7,500 lb (3,400 kg) of stores; other Starfighters had a maximum external load of 4,000 lb (1,814 kg). Range was up to 1,250 km with four tanks.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USAF Lockheed F-104C Starfighter interceptor that was assigned to the 418th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, 58th Tactical Training Wing, then deployed to Luke Air Force Base during 1976. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: October 2011

Historical Account: "Train ' Em Up" - The 418th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron was briefly activated by Thirteenth Air Force at Clark Air Base, Philippines in late 1957. It was programmed to be an F-100A Super Sabre daylight air superiority squadron, however no record of any aircraft actually assigned to the unit can be found. The squadron was inactivated on July 1st, 1958, due to overall budget reductions in the Air Force.

On October 1st, 1969, the squadron was again reactivated, by Tactical Air Command under the 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing (TFTW) at Luke AFB, Arizona. It assumed the personnel and equipment of the provisional 4518th Combat Crew Training Squadron, which had been flying West German Air Force TF-104G Starfighters at Luke AFB since 1964. The training was in support of Foreign Military Sales, and the squadron operated twin-seat trainers with USAF markings and serial numbers, although the planes were produced in Germany by Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm )MBB) under licence and owned by the German government.

F-104G production ended with the delivery of the last aircraft by MBB in 1973 to the squadron, the last German Air Force students graduated in the summer of 1976, The squadron was inactivated on October 1st and was replaced by an F-4F Phantom II training squadron.