The F-104G was the main production version of the Starfighter with 1,122
aircraft produced as multi-role fighter-bombers. Manufactured by Lockheed,
and under license by Canadair and a consortium of European companies which
included Messerschmitt/MBB, Dornier, Fiat, Fokker, and SABCA. The type
featured strengthened fuselage and wing structure, increased internal fuel
capacity, an enlarged vertical fin, strengthened landing gear with larger
tires, and revised flaps for improved combat maneuvering. Upgraded avionics
included a new Autonetics NASARR F15A-41B radar with air-to-air and ground
mapping modes, the Litton LN-3 Inertial Navigation System (the first on a
production fighter), and an infrared sight.
The selection of the F-104G as NATO's main fighter bomber was rocked by
scandal when it was discovered that Lockheed (not for the first and not for
the last time) had bribed political and military leaders to win the
contract. So 'hot' an aircraft was the 104 that WWII ace Eric Hartmann was
forced to retire from the Bundeswaffe after his strong and vocal opposition
to the aircraft, which had a very poor initial safety record with the German
Air Force. It eventually went on to have a good safety record. The last
military Starfighters were retired from the Italian Air Force in 2004. Some
are still being operated by civilians.
Despite
owning a number of these kits, I've only built one and found it to be a very
positive experience. The kit is typical of Hasegawa kits from the 1990s
until today. Finely engraved detail, a somewhat bare cockpit that uses
decals and raised detail, and two seats. One is the type used by Canadian
and Japanese Starfighters so is not used in this boxing. An interesting
feature of the cockpit tub is that it has to be 'bent' along some scored
lines to be the proper width.
The nose section is separate from the rest of the airframe to
accommodate the two seat boxings. The nose gear well attaches to the bottom of
the cockpit assembly and intakes have no trunking, but are deep enough to make
that almost a moot point. The rear fuselage section has a tailpipe assembly with
the final compressor stage on one end and the burner can on the other. Note that
throughout the build, the instructions will have you drill holes or remove
detail as required.
There is a main gear well piece that slides into the aft fuselage
section just prior to installation of the nose section. The instructions show
the gear legs in place, but it may be that you can attach these later so test
fit it. The forward main gear doors are almost completely closed, but again,
should not be attached until after the main gear due to the retraction struts.
Wings and tailplanes are a single casting with holes already in the
lower wings for the wing pylons. Missile and centerline tank pylon holes need to
be opened up early in the construction. The kit does not include separate speed
brakes, but really, these were frequently closed on the ground anyway. One has
minimal options for things
under wings. There are the tip tanks which were carried by pretty much all 104s
and a pair of similar tands for the lower wing. No centerline equipment nor
missiles. Clear bits consist of a windscreen, canopy and rear section. The
canopy can be posed open, but there really is not much to see in the cockpit
unless you go with aftermarket.
The kit provides
two markings options. Most of the decal sheet is taken up with the markings for
the 'Mount Olympus' scheme. The second option is for a Tiger Meet plane, of
which you can see the tail on the left side of the box top. The scheme is
striking, but unfortunately, the decal sheet has the off white white areas,
making it something that you might want to try to replace. Despite their age,
I've found Hasegawa kit decals to be pretty hardy, just be sure to use hot water
and to test one of the markings you won't be using to ensure their viability.
Personally, I'd look for an aftermarket option.
