It's a missile... with a man in it

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Technical Specifications

Manufacturer: Lockheed (present-day Lockheed Martin)

Years of Development: 1951-1958

Year of Rollout: February 1958

Desired Role: Air superiority day fighter, interceptor

Status: Retired. Some are used as warbirds

Primary operators: United States Air Force, Luftwaffe, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Turkish Air Force, Italian Air Force, and many more (with CF-104, F-104G, and F-104S)

Number built: 2,578

Powerplant: 1 × General Electric J79 afterburning turbojet, 10,000 lbf (44 kN) thrust dry, 15,600 lbf (69 kN) with afterburner

Max Top Speed: 2,459kmh (Mach 2)

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Brief Information / Wiki

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is an American single-engine, supersonic interceptor aircraft which became widely used as a fighter-bomber during the Cold War. Initially a day fighter, it was developed into an all-weather fighter in the late 1960s.

It was originally developed by Lockheed for the United States Air Force (USAF), but was later produced by several other nations, seeing widespread service outside the United States.

One of the Century Series of fighter aircraft, it was operated by the air forces of more than a dozen nations from 1958 to 2004. Its design team was led by Kelly Johnson, who contributed to the development of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Lockheed U-2, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, and other Lockheed aircraft.

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F-104J "Eiko"

The F-104J was a specialized interceptor version of the F-104G for the Japanese ASDF, built under license by Mitsubishi for the air-superiority role; it was armed with cannon and four Sidewinders, but had no strike capability.

Some were converted to UF-104J radio-controlled target drones and destroyed. A total of 210 were built, three by Lockheed, 29 by Mitsubishi from Lockheed-sourced components, and 178 by Mitsubishi. After being retired in Japan, the U.S. delivered some of these 104J/DJs to the air force of Taiwan.

Armament

• 4x AIM-9 Sidewinder (Creds to JohnnyBoyThePilot)

• 1x M61A1 Vulcan

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F-104J in the 201st Squadron, 2nd Air Wing - Chitose Air Base

The Provisional F-104 Training Squadron came into being with seven U.S.-trained JASDF pilots exactly two weeks after the first flight of an F-104J in Japan, which took place at Komaki on March 8, 1962. It was not until September 17 that year that the unit received its first aircraft, a single F-104DJ and two ‘DJs.

A ceremony was held at Chitose on March 8, 1963, to mark the forming of the 201st Sqn. The training of student pilots, who were all in fact F-86D/F veterans, commenced three days later. Charged with operational testing and pilot training, there was for some time no scope for the process of working up as a fighter squadron.

As the “mother squadron” conversion unit for the type, the 201st was ultimately responsible for conducting aggressor (AGG) and air combat manoeuvering (ACM) training as well as fighter/interception duties. Its role changed to solely that of a fighter/interceptor squadron after December 1, 1964, when the 204th Sqn was formed at Nyutabaru and took over conversion training responsibilities.

Despite the experience of its pilots, for some reason the 201st had to wait until 1972 to win its first F-104J air gunnery competition.

The 201st’s disbandment as an F-104J unit, on October 1, 1974, coincided with the forming of the Phantom-equipped 302nd Sqn.

After more than 12 years as a “paper squadron”, the intensifying Cold War resulted in the 201st being reformed, once again at Chitose, as the fourth F-15J squadron on March 19, 1986.

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Gallery

Starfighter flying on sunset

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Starfighter in Yeager, enjoying the sunset

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Starfighter takes off with full afterburner at night - by the power of General Electric -J79 howls-

Interdit

There's a gimmick when having an arrestor hook on a Starfighter... Epic.

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Controls

They are same as usual. VTOL down for flaps - 50% for takeoff and full for landing. To land, press AG4 (also can be used for airborne levelling) for gyro stabilizer, and make a soft landing. Use brakes for airbrakes (yes, funktreed propietary airbrakes)

Activation Groups

• AG1 for emergency arrestor hook (there's a gimmick, right?)

• AG2 to activate weapons.

• AG3 to jettison wingtip fuel fanks

• AG4 for airborne gyro levelling (can open main gear door lights upon landing)

• AG5 for nose cone open

• AG6 for parachute (optional)

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Side Notes

There, this is my first post as Kotoura002, since we can change usernames in this SP website. This is also my first Cold War replica for Veronica's Cold War Challenge, so I had much effort until it turned out really, really nice. But anyways, i'll be seeing you in the next build, any advice or something to tell just add my discord right away on my bio. As always, stay safe and GOD BLESS you all. Aim high, comrades!

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Sources

Wikipedia - Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

J-HangarSpace - JASDF Squadron Histories