RAAF Lockheed F-104K Starfighter

[AeroplaneDriver]

In the real world the Dassault Mirage III beat out Lockheed for Australia's Sabre replacement in 1960.  As part of this competition Lockheed proposed two different Avon installations as the RAAF had a preference for the engine already in service in the Canberra and Sabre.  One of the proposed Avon installations had a longer rear fuselage, but the other fairly closely matched the outline of the J79 powered Starfighter. 

Australia hoped to deploy Mirages to the Vietnam theater alongside Canberras as part of their involvement, but French opposition made it impossible.  If the RAAF had been operating the F-104 there would be no such opposition, but instead most likely enthusiastic encouragement. 

So What If..

In late 1960 the Australian government selected a Rolls-Royce Avon powered F-104 Starfighter as its new interceptor to replace the F-86 Sabre.  Based on the F-104G, but with a Rolls Royce Avon engine and some specific RAAF modifications for weapons carriage and avionics, this new Starfighter was designated the F-104K.   The initial order of 30 single seat and 10 two-seat F-104Ks was soon followed by a second order of 40 single seaters.  The first 14 aircraft were delivered from Lockheed, while subsequent aircraft were assembled locally by CAC. 

The first operational RAAF Starfighter A3-03 entered service with 2 OCU in July 1965.  The aircraft went on to equip 3, 75, 76, 77, and 79 Squadrons with a total of 121 Starfighters procured over the service life of the aircraft. 

In April 1967 3 Sqn deployed alongside 2 Sqn Canberras to Phan Rang Air Base in South Vietnam.  The F-104s acted as escort fighters for the Canberra, initially carrying two AIM-9D and two AIM-7D AAMs. As the war progressed RAAF Canberras faced a greater SAM threat than fighter threat which saw modifications to the F-104 to carry the AGM-45 Shrike anti-radar missile and an ECM jamming pod on the centerline station.  3, 77, and 79 Squadrons all deployed to Phan Rang at different times, supporting Australian in involvement in the Vietnam conflict.  Four aircraft were lost in combat, 3 to SAMs and one to a MiG-21 firing an Atoll missile.  Two further aircraft were lost in accidents, one attributed to mechanical failure, the other to pilot disorientation. 

This model depicts A3-12, in service with 3 Sqn in early 1969.  It carries a single kill marking from a MiG 17 downed with a Sidewinder missile, as well as a USAF 'zap' on the left airbrake, the result of a maintenance diversion to Cam Rahn in late 1968. 














Kit is the Hasegawa F-104G built completely OOB other than Tamiya Tape seat harness.  I did a little filing on the afterburner petals to change the look a little for the Avon burner (reheat?).  I'm not sure it made much difference to the finished article but I'm happy with it.  Decals are from the Caracal Mirage set and kit decals for stencils.  The lack of weapons and pylons in the kit means I have ordered a resin F-104S pylon set, but it is coming form the UK and wont arrive for another week.  Once it does this one will gain a pair of Sidewinders and a pair of Shrikes.  Credit to Spinners for the "Wild Weasel" mods after he posted a WW Starfighter in his Strike Fighters thread not too long ago. 

Paints are all Vallejo.  British Medium Sea Grey on the lower surfaces and US Light Green and NATO Green on top for a totally fictional camo scheme. 

[Old Wombat]

Oh, that's sweet!

[Wardukw]

Oh that is very very nice indeed   

[Tophe]

Kit is the Hasegawa F-104G built completely OOB

Uh? Google tells me there are Hasegawa F-104G kits at 1/72 and 1/32. This model is so perfect I guess it is 1/32, yes? (impossible to be so good at 1/72)

[AeroplaneDriver]

Kit is the Hasegawa F-104G built completely OOB

Uh? Google tells me there are Hasegawa F-104G kits at 1/72 and 1/32. This model is so perfect I guess it is 1/32, yes? (impossible to be so good at 1/72)

It started as this kit.  1/48.  A really nice kit that has got a lot of criticism because of overdone rivet detail. Not an unfair criticism but I find it a nice kit.  This is my third. 

[Wardukw]

Oh i definitely want a 104 in 48th or 32nd..im not picky and the best part of this plane is it takes up bugger all apace 
Italeri's 32nd verison is a good kit but you dont want to know how much it is here so im gonna hunt down a 48th one .

[AeroplaneDriver]

Oh i definitely want a 104 in 48th or 32nd..im not picky and the best part of this plane is it takes up bugger all apace 
Italeri's 32nd verison is a good kit but you dont want to know how much it is here so im gonna hunt down a 48th one .

The new Kinetic ones are apparently the Dog's Danglies, but they're not cheap.  The Hasegawa ones are great in my opinion.  The C model can be found at a fairly good price usually. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Very nice paint scheme and finish on the model. 

[Wardukw]

Oh i definitely want a 104 in 48th or 32nd..im not picky and the best part of this plane is it takes up bugger all apace 
Italeri's 32nd verison is a good kit but you dont want to know how much it is here so
im gonna hunt down a 48th one .

The new Kinetic ones are apparently the Dog's Danglies, but they're not cheap.  The Hasegawa ones are great in my opinion.  The C model can be found at a fairly good price usually.

Yeah ive seen the Kinetic one and the price here is nuts..i think its over $120NZ and i aint paying that much for not a very big model..hell i can get a Italeri B25 for less ..like 50 bucks less.
Hasegawa would be what ill hunt down and i like em too.
Had heaps of Hasegawa models over the decades would be nice to have one ive not had before 

[su27rules]

    Nice!!

[Pellson]

Lovely zipper!   

[comrade harps]

A beautifully subtle camo on that!

I've been pondering a Wild Weasel-like Starfighter, so I'm waiting with baited to see how the Shrikes look on it.

[Devilfish]

Looks like it belongs...

[Firefox]

Very nice 

[McColm]

Great work,  although I'm not a fan of the F-104.  Never take shelter under it's wing during a rain shower. It gives no protection whatsoever!