New F-104 Repaint Scheme

[gburch]

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/new ... hters.html

Johnson's "missile with a man in it" lives on ...

[tmanthegreat]

That's awesome

For a fighter that really was only a footnote in terms of its service with the USAF, the Starfighter is truly a record-breaker with an enduring legacy. Look at how long the type served with our allies and the fact that there are still Starfighters flying and being actively used for something economically useful other than a museum piece. Most of their contemporary aircraft have been relegated to the scrap heap.

Given the F-104's enduring service history, the decision by 21c to make that plane perhaps makes more sense. I still think something like an F-4 Phantom would have been the wiser choice, would have fit better with their existing items, and would have sold better, but I can understand why they went with the F-104.

Its still one of my favorite 21c aircraft

[tko211]

I remember hearing that the driving decisions on the F-104 was that it was striking, iconic and served with many nations. So paint schemes were plentiful. Also the tail assembly made it really easy and inexpensive to do variants. the short wingspan and straight forward build made it an easy and inexpensive plane to develop and smaller piece overall. Everyone would agree that something like an F-4 would have been cooler but also more expensive, larger, and so on... I'm glad they made the 104. It's a neat plane. I just wish there had been enough time with 21C to have made the F-4 and MiG-21!

[astronut1885]

They had a 104 on static display somewhere in Burbank, CA. It was a NASA bird, white with a blue stripe on each side of the fuselage. The thing looked fast sitting still, a total speed needle.

[snake]

Great to see the "Widowmaker" still being used.

The fastest looking fighter in the Century series.

Who would have thought that after all these decades, the F-104 would still be flying, and not just at airshows.

Well done you sexy old girl.

[Airacobra]

The F-104 has always been one of my favorite Jet aircraft. I was surprised and very happy when 21st released it in 1/18. I hope whoever holds the molds for the F-104 decide to release a few more repaints. I would definitely pick them up.

[DocTodd]

Definitely a fast and good looking bird.

[plasticboy]

That's an awesome paint scheme for F-104. Indeed, F-104 was a beautiful bird while back in 60' which was against the communist. Taiwan was the first Allies obtained F-104 against China invasion, which the Taiwan F-104 had shot down 2 MIG-19 at the Kim-Man air combat. The last F-104 was retired in 1996 that end of the long service at Taiwan air force.

[gburch]

That's an awesome paint scheme for F-104. Indeed, F-104 was a beautiful bird while back in 60' which was against the communist. Taiwan was the first Allies obtained F-104 against China invasion, which the Taiwan F-104 had shot down 2 MIG-19 at the Kim-Man air combat. The last F-104 was retired in 1996 that end of the long service at Taiwan air force.

Hen you yi si de zhao pian!

[armoredyak]

it has surprised me that as interesting as this airframe's performance is, that it wasnt given some type of electronic/mechanical/propulsive retro-fit/improvement system.

i wonder what it would be like with a more modern engine, fly by wire, and improved range and performance. possibly even more than a pilot could withstand.?