F-104 with F-16 wings and tail

[tigercat2]

In an attempt to make a "poor man's Lancer", I tried mating the wings, horizontal and vertical tail  from an Academy YF-16 to an F-104 (in 1/72 scale).  To date I have done three; the first '104 used was from Hasagawa, it is overall Grey; markings pirated from an F-101B. It is the 2nd in the line up, to the left of the TN ANG '104.  More to follow.


Wes W.

[tigercat2]

The next '104/F-16 combo used an ESCI F-104, and is in a white/orange scheme (one of the test birds).  Decals pirated from an F-100, '101 and '86.

Wes W.

[tigercat2]

The third and to date last '104/F-16 combo again used the ESCI '104; it is in NMF, white wings, and totally ficticious markings.  It is, after all, a What if World.  Here it is shown with the other two '104s.  I will try for clearer photos in the near future. 

I plan to add several more to the fleet, as soon as I can get some additional 1/72 F-104s.   

Wes W.

[tigercat2]

Here are a few more 104s, with a Lancer (courtesy of MCollazo) thrown into the mix.


Wes W.

[John Howling Mouse]

Looking very sexy all loaded up like that.  Good job.   

Forget what you may think you know about the Lancer project not proceeding to success.  The real reason was that they realized that removing a T-Tail from such a hot bird was...just...wrong!

[tigercat2]

I thought that the T-tail was the cause of problems, with both the F-104 and F-101.  I recall reading that the Air Force was very concerned about the pitch-up with the '101, and were considering a major mod to install a conventional tail until MacAir came up with a stick shaker.


Wes W.

[Zeke]

That makes a really interesting modification doesn't it?...it's almost a second glance kind of thing...looks right!...

[tigercat2]

In doing the mod (which was extremely easy, BTW), I could not help but think what a good airplane that would be in real life.  With an F100 turbofan and F-16 wings, the '104 so modified should really be something; throw in F-16 avionics and it think it would have given the real F-16 a run for its money.

Too bad the USAF did not listen to Kelly Johnson; he was hardly ever wrong.


Wes W.

[The Big Gimper]

I did not see this thread before I came up with this combination.

CF-104E which is an ECSI CF-104A with Hasegawa F-16D wings and if I can make it work, General Electric F110-GE-129 or Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220/220E replacing the Orenda J79-OEL-7.


CF-104E-02 by Big Gimper, on Flickr

[PR19_Kit]

Does it come with a red fuselage like that out if the box?

[The Big Gimper]

Yes it is to my surprise. This boxing:

[PR19_Kit]

A bit like the Revell Snark kit then, you need sunglasses just to build the model! 

[Dizzyfugu]

There was also a Tiger Meet Starfighter from ESCI, and it came in bright yellow!

Looks like a very good upgrade! Could it be that the wings need some trim at the wing/fuselage intersection, so that the wing tip rails are parallel with the aircraft's longitudal axis? 
Curious about the looks with the F-16 fin (and a T-tail, I assume) - I really like the concept.

Makes me wonder if MiG-21 wings could be transplanted, too, for an alternative high speed version?

[kitnut617]

I've got some decals to do that red 104 Carl --

[Jesse220]

A Modernized F-104?