F-104 drop tanks

[rickshaw]

What was the maximum number of drop tanks that the F-104 could carry?  Wingtips, underwing and under fuselage?

[PR19_Kit]

I've never seen a pic of one carrying tanks under the fuselage, missiles yes, but not tanks.

In which case it would be four, two on the tips and one under each wing.

But this is WhiffWorld.................. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Four. Two tip tanks and another pair under the wings. The G variant had a ventral hardpoint, too, but IIRC it was not "wet".

[rickshaw]

It appears that the idea of a "wet" centreline are a bit mixed online.  So, it is wingtips and underwing tanks.  Now, a related question, what is the maximum number of Sidewinders that an F-104 can carry in that configuration?  Two or four?

[PR19_Kit]

Two I guess, there's nowhere else to carry any more.

Unless the pilot has one in the cockpit with him and lobs it over the side when he needs to. 

[kitnut617]

Have a look at F-104S photos Brian, it had four underwing pylons, plus the under fuselage twin rail. So four Sidewinders, but could also be AIM-120's

[PR19_Kit]

Oh yes, I'd forgotten the S subtype. 



This one has Aspides on the outer wing pylons, 'winders on the tips and under the belly AND two socking great tanks on the inner wing pylons!

But were the outer pylons plumbed for fuel too? I can't find any pics showing one carrying tanks there.

[kitnut617]

This is what the Wiki article says --

Produced mainly by Fiat and Aeritalia (one aircraft was lost before delivery), upgraded for the interception role having NASARR R-21G/H radar with moving target indicator and continuous wave illuminator for SARH missiles (initially AIM-7 Sparrow), two additional wing and two underbelly hardpoints (to give a total of nine), uprated J79-GE-19 engine with 52.8 kN (11,870 lbf) thrust (79.6 kN/17,900 lbf with afterburner), and two additional ventral fins for increased stability at high Mach numbers. Up to two Sparrow; and two, theoretically four or six, Sidewinder missiles were carried on all the hardpoints except the central (underbelly), or seven 340 kg (750 lb) bombs (normally, two-four 227–340 kg/500-750 lb). Range was up to 1,250 km (777 mi) with four tanks, ferry range 2,940 km (1,827 mi).[4] Aircraft allocated to air defence missions had their 20 mm (.79 in) M-61 Vulcan cannon removed. The F-104S was cleared for a higher maximum takeoff weight, allowing it to carry up to 7,500 lb (3,400 kg) of stores; other Starfighters had a maximum external load of 4,000 lb (1,814 kg). With four under wing drop tanks range was up to 780 mi (1,250 km). Production of the F-104S totalled 286, with the Italian Air Force taking delivery of 246 and the Turkish Air Force receiving 40 aircraft.[4]

[PR19_Kit]

Looking at the pic I posted before, if the outer wing pylons carried the same size tanks as the inner ones they'd be touching the ground I reckon.  Perhaps they were smaller ones?

Certainly the ones on the inner pylons look a lot larger than the usual size F-104 ranks.

[Dizzyfugu]

The outer pylons could only carry light loads and were not plumbed.

[ChernayaAkula]

<...> what is the maximum number of Sidewinders that an F-104 can carry in that configuration?  Two or four?

More than you'd think. 





Of course these are not real.  Weight-wise they should be possible, though. 

I like the idea of a centreline tank. Only problem is that to get a decent-sized tank under there, the way the main landing gear doors open might have to be changed. Perhaps a "pinched" tank as on the Hawk T.2?

<...> Certainly the ones on the inner pylons look a lot larger than the usual size F-104 ranks.

They should be same tanks, but with different fins.