Lockheed F-104G Starfighter

Marinefliger MFG 2, 26+69, NAS Eggebeck, Germany, 1985

Hobby Master 1/72 HA1049

Lockheed F-104 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.

There were 1,127 F-104Gs manufactured with Germany receiving 749 F/RF-104Gs, 137 TF-104Gs and 30 F-104Fs totaling 916 aircraft. About 151 F-104Gs were assigned to the Marineflieger's two naval attack squadrons, Marinefliegergeschwader MFG 1 and 2 for maritime strike and reconnaissance roles. The F-104 was a replacement for the older Hawker Sea Hawk. Both squadrons were based at Naval Air Station Eggebeck. Deliveries of the F-104 took place from 1960 until 1973. F-104G 26+69 was manufactured as 7415 and at the end of its German service it went to Greece.

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

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