SPA Modeler

You know what, sod having a break - I want to build a Starfighter... so go big or go home

This fell into my ebay basket yesterday, along with a Quinta Cockpit set and Eduard Resin seat. Looks like a nice kit according to Modelling Madness - looking forward to building it. The Only quarter scale just I've built thus far has been a Hawk so this should be fun.



I'd like to see if I can find some South Carolina ANG decals for it, for the squadron that was airlifted by MATS to Germany during the Berlin Crisis.

Cheers!

Yes! Can't wait to see the build.

Medicman71 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 12:38 pm Yes! Can't wait to see the build.

Yes I have to say I'm rather looking forward to it turning up!

The Berlin Crisis ANG F-104s were A models, not C models. But most differences between the types were internal. The main external difference will be to leave off the air refueling probe, as the A did not have that capability. Aside from that, looking at photos, when the ANG F-104 squadrons were federalized and called to active service, the ANG markings were removed and they took on a rather “plain Jane” appearance with just basic USAF markings along with “buzz” and serial numbers.



This is a Tennessee ANG F-104 at Ramstein AFB during the Berlin Crisis deployment.

Oh yes, I think that you’ll really enjoy the Hasegawa F-104 kit. It is light years ahead of the old Hawk kit regarding detail and appearance. I have one in my stash but can’t say how well/easily that it builds. It just looks really good in the box, amd the ones that I’ve seen built up in person are gorgeous.

Here is some good info on that deployment

https://www.916-starfighter.de/F-104_US ... crisis.pdf

That's really interesting Carlos - thanks for that. I think the 'History of the USAFE' book I have must have incorrectly labelled the photo's as C models. There's a good one of a Starfighter being unloaded from a MATS cargo aircraft. Come to think of it it doesn't have an IFR probe.

I'll check out the link.