Hobby Master HA1023 1:72 F-104J Starfighter 207th SQ, 83rd AG "J.A.S.D.F."

Hobby Master HA1023 1:72 F-104J Starfighter 207th SQ, 83rd AG "J.A.S.D.F."

The Lockheed F-104J was the Japanese Starfighter with the “J” standing for Japan. The first F-104Js were just re-assembled “G” versions and first flew in March 8, 1962.

Because the Japanese constitution forbid offensive weapons the F-104J was set up
purely as an interceptor. The Japanese referred to the Starfighter as “Eikou (Glory) while other countries called it the “Widow Maker”. Instead of a 20mm cannon the early variants had an additional fuel tank and could carry four Sidewinder missiles or drop tanks but no bombs. The JASDF (Japan Air Self Defense Force) was formed in 1954 with the F-86F. In 1959 the F-104J was chosen as the replacement aircraft and at the end of manufacturing in December 1967 Japan had received 210. These aircraft equipped seven squadrons (Hikoutai) with the 207th  Sq. 83rd Air Group assigned to the Southwestern Air Defense Force, Naha Airbase, Okinawa. In March 1986 the 207th who were referred to as “F-104 Brothers” were the last to retire the Starfighters for the F-15J. Over the years 15% of the F-104s were lost to accidents.