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HOME      Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
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RC F-104
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Specifications

        US$ Cost:
        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engine:
        Thrust:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Bombs:
        Cannons:
        Missiles:
        Length:
        Wingspan:
        Cruise Speed:
        Max Speed:
        Stall Speed:
        Takeoff Run:
        Climb Rate:
        Ceiling:
        Ferry Range:
        First Flight:
        Year Deployed:
$1.471 million
interceptor/bomber
one
GE J79-GE-11A
1 x 18,000 lbs.
14,082 lbs.
30,780 lbs.
7,500 lbs.
1 x 20 mm.
4 x air-to-air
54' 9"
21' 11"
520 mph
1,450 mph
196 mph
2,700 feet
55,000 fpm
64,800 feet
1,200 miles
3/4/54
1958






The first aircraft to hold concurrent records for maximum velocity, highest flight, and time to altitude was the F-104.  It was built by Lockheed and designated the Starfighter.

The F-104 was designed based on pilot experience during the Korean War.  It was originally intended as a fast climbing interceptor. Above all, it was designed for high speed.  It saw limited service as an interceptor and as a fighter-bomber with the United States Air Force when it served during the Vietnam War.

Perhaps the most distinctive features of the F-104 were its short, thin wings. With a maximum thickness of only 4", the leading edge of the wings were so sharp that they needed safety covers to protect ground crews.

The speed of the F-104 came with the sacrifice of handling and maneuverability. It was not meant for dogfighting.  The best pilots found that the aircraft needed their constant attention. Novice pilots could find the aircraft outpacing their control inputs. The results were numerous fatalities.

A F-104 prototype first flew on March 4, 1954, with deployment in the USAF in Feb. 1958.

The F-104 was the first USAF fighter aircraft capable of prolonged flight exceeding Mach 2. It was the first aircraft ever to exceed 100,000 feet in altitude without being launched from another aircraft.

The Luftwaffe received the majority of F-104 aircraft, with numerous U.S. allies throughout the world utilizing the aircraft.

There were 2,579 F-104 aircraft produced through 1979 of which only about 300 went to the U.S.A.F.


RC F-104
A rc F-104 from Parkjets plans.



Pictured above is rc F-104 from Parkjets.com plans.  It is designed by Hans Joachim and has a wingspan of 27" with a length of 73".  Hans uses a Mega 16/15/2 motor.  All up weight is just 33 oz.

HET RC has a rc F-104 for sale with a fiberglass fuselage and balsa over foam wings shown in the first picture below. The ARF has a 45 1/2" length and 26" wing span. It is made to fly with a brushless 480 size EDF unit.

Stumax Aircraft has a rc F-104 for sale featuring a molded glass fuselage, balsa over foam wings, a 52" length and a 38" wingspan. It is for winds of over 15 mph and for advanced radio control airplane pilots only.

We have seen a rc F-104  for sale on eBay with a 36" wingspan. It has a fiberglass fuselage and sheeted foam wings. Power is by a brushless motor driving a 69 mm fan unit.

Banana Hobby has a rc F-104 for sale. It has a wingspan of 20 1/2", a length of 48", and is powered by a 70 mm EDF unit.

Green Air Design has a rc F-104 for sale as a kit made from Depron foam. It has a wingspan of 20" including tip tanks and a length of 36". It is powered by a 400 size brushless motor driving a pusher prop. All up weight is 18 oz.

If you are looking for a large rc F-104 for sale as a kit, check out Philip Avonds. The beautiful model, in the second and third pictures below, built by Hans Van Dongen, is 1/7 scale. Wingspan is 44" and length is 94". You can power it with 12 to 27 lb. thrust turbines. All up weight is around 16.5 lbs.

The bottom picture is of Tony Di Giacomo and his own build Depron foam 21" wingspan rc F-104.

JD Enterprises has a rc F-104 for sale. It has a fiberglass fuse with glass over foamy wings. Wingspans are 42" or 46", with a length of 78" and weight of about 12 lbs. Engines can be from .80 to .91 turning 5" fans.

Century Jet Models has a rc F-104 for sale. Its wingspan is 44" and it is 86 1/2" long. Its fuselage is fiberglass and its wings are wood sheeting over foamy. It needs a .91 engine turning a 5" fan.

Chuck's RC Toys has a rc F-104 for sale. It is made from ABS plastic, Depron and balsawood with a 18" wingspan and 32" length. It needs a Speed 400 size motor and 50 mm EDF for power.

SN Hobbies, Canada has a rc F-104 for sale with a 20 1/2" wingspan.

There are at least four Chinese companies which all appear to have the same rc F-104 for sale.  Here are the ones which we found:

Amax Industrial Group, China has a rc F-104 for sale with a 20 1/2" wingspan and 48 1/2" length that weighs about 30 oz.

Sky Team International Enterprise, Ltd., Hong Kong has a 20 1/2" wingspan rc F-104 for sale. They show it as a foamy with a 70 mm EDF that comes in blue or red paint schemes.

Shenzhen Great Bo-King Development Co., Ltd., China has a rc F-104 for sale with the same 20 1/2" wingspan.

Hipromodel Co., Ltd., China also has a rc F-104 for sale.

Send us an email and tell us about your favorite rc F-104.


RC F-104
The rc F-104 from HET RC.


RC F-104
Philip Avonds rc F-104.


RC F-104
H. Van Dongen and his rc F-104.


RC F-104
Tony Di Giacomo and his rc F-104.




At Modelflight.com au you can find a description and pictures of a rc F-104.

Modelflight also has the manual for the rc F-104 from HET in PDF format.

On eBay there are a number of pictures of the rc F-104 for sale.

At RC Universe j.duncker was looking for a rc F-104 plan or kit.

Props4ever of RC Universe was seeking a rc F-104.

RockEnRoller6 of RC Universe mentions the rc F-104  in a posting.

Canuck1 of RC Universe had questions about a rc F-104.

At RC Universe 717 Driver was trying to find a flight sim of a rc F-104.

Iphan of RC Groups started a thread about a rc F-104 pusher prop.

At RC Groups jetmax had a rc F-104 for sale.