I am building the Italeri/Esci F-104A in the kit supplied markings for a unit from the Tennesee Air National Guard, and need to know if they ever carried the twin sidewinder missile launcher under the fuselage, and if they had drop-tanks under the wings. If anyone could tell me this, I would really appreciate it.
Scott Willerton
The F-104A wasn’t able to carry anything under its wings. I also believe the A couldn’t carry the fuselage AIM-9 launchers. I think it was the F-104C that was the first that was able to carry fuselage mounted sidewinders. The F-104G was the first to be equiped with pylons under the wings.
The F-104-A had very thin wings with very sharp leading edges. F-104s on the ground have leading edge covers on them to protect the wings AND the ground personel. Later models received thicker reinforced wings to carry fuel tanks or ordinance. The sharp leading edges applied to all variations of the F-104 and they are commonly seen on the ground with red leading edge covers. The Air Force could not resist turning a perfect interceptor into a bomber! Go figure!
Berny, I know early 104s had a downward ejection because of the high stablizer. Was this true for all of the A models? Were the A models retrofitted for an upward ejection when better seats became available? IIR the F-104 was the first production aircraft fitted with the Vulcan 20mm cannon (gatling gun), is this correct? My F-104 references are on loan at the moment.
Hi, The A could carry 195 gal aux tanks under wing, and also tip tanks, I don’t see why the sidewinders couldn’t be carried on tips w/tanks underwing but I can’t find any pics. I found a drawing with all four tanks and a pic w/sidewinders on tips and no tanks.The Vulcan was deleted for awhile on early production As but eventually replaced on late production As and later rebuilds, something to do with problems with the gun reliability. And the Cs were the first to carry the fuselage mounted sidwinders. Note The XF-104 was the first jet to shoot itself down in Dec of 1954 when a round exploded in the gun and blew the back of it into the engine. Good Hunting, G.W.