Lockheed F-104G Starfighter

Luftwaffe JG 74 Molders, 24+68, Germany 1970s

Hobby Master 1:72 HA1078

JG 74, or Jagdgeschwader 74, was a West German Luftwaffe (Air Force) fighter wing that operated the F-104G Starfighter. The F-104G variant was a key component of NATO's defense strategy during the Cold War, characterized by its high-speed performance and advanced avionics for its time. JG 74 utilized the F-104G primarily for air defense and reconnaissance missions, contributing to the collective defense posture of West Germany and NATO against potential threats from the Warsaw Pact. The wing's operations with the F-104G underscored its role in maintaining aerial superiority and strategic deterrence during a tense period of geopolitical rivalry in Europe.

Lockheed F-104G Starfighter

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.

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Molded metal construction with plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
• opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
• Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
• Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.