JASDF - F-104J Starfighter, 2nd Air Wing, 203rd TFS, 1979 46-8650 

• Japan Air Self Defense Force 
• F-104J Starfighter 
• 1:72 models 
• JC Wings 

9315789

Aviation

JASDF - F-104J Starfighter, 2nd Air Wing, 203rd TFS, 1979 46-8650

JCW-72-F104-002

Japan

Limited edition, The 203rd Hikotai (203rd Tactical Fighter Squadron) is a squadron of the 2nd Air Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Chitose Air Base, in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. The F-104J was a specialized interceptor version of the F-104G for the JASDF, built under license by Mitsubishi for the air-superiority role; it was armed with cannon and four Sidewinders, but had no strike capability. A total of 210 were built, three by Lockheed, 29 by Mitsubishi from Lockheed-sourced components, and 178 by Mitsubishi. Designed to meet a need for an aircraft that could successfully compete against the MiG-15 in Korea, the F-104 Starfighter was first flown on February 20, 1958. American pilots believed that the F-86 Sabre was too large and complex to outmaneuver the lighter MiG, and they wanted a smaller, simpler, high-performance aircraft to replace it. The resulting design was a light, aerodynamic airframe wrapped around a powerful J79 turbojet engine. The F-104C was used by the USAF from 1958 until 1967, but most of the 2,578 production Starfighters were built and flown by members of NATO, including the Italian Air Force, which didn't retire it until 2004.