Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA1044 Lockheed F-104G Starfighter Diecast Model USAF 435th TFS, #57-0914, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 1966 |
1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
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Lockheed F-104G Starfighter | | 9.25" | | 3.75" |
Lockheed F-104C 57-0914 c/n1231 and was one of 12 Starfighters delivered on July 22, 1966 to the 435th TFS based at Udorn AB, Thailand. On January 16, 1967 the aircraft suffered an engine failure forcing the pilot to bail out. 57-0914 made an appearance in season 1 episode 19 of Star Trek filmed in 1966 and aired January 26, 1967. This F-104 was scrambled to intercept the USS Enterprise when it time travelled to 1969 and the pilot had to be beamed aboard when the F-104 began to disintegrate.
Designed to meet a need for an aircraft that could successfully compete against the MiG-15 in Korea, the F-104 Starfighter was first flown on February 20, 1958. American pilots believed that the F-86 Sabre was too large and complex to outmaneuver the lighter MiG, and they wanted a smaller, simpler, high-performance aircraft to replace it. The resulting design was a light, aerodynamic airframe wrapped around a powerful J79 turbojet engine. The F-104C was used by the USAF from 1958 until 1967, but most of the 2,578 production Starfighters were built and flown by members of NATO, including the Italian Air Force, which didn't retire it until 2004. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale F-104 Starfighter is a good looking model with many quality features. The exceptionally long fuselage is constructed in diecast metal, with plastic side-mounted engine intakes. The rear turbine blades and the exhaust with its "turkey feathers" are some of the high points of this model, along with a canopy that opens to reveal an ejection seat and pad printed front and side instrument panels. The M61 Vulcan Gatling gun port is beautifully recreated, and the complex main landing gear is accurately rendered, securely locking into place for ground display. Most releases include removable wingtip fuel tanks, with fuselage mounted missiles on some versions.
© Copyright 2003-2021 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.