Academy 1/72 Bundesmarine F-104G Model Kit

The Starfighter was originally designed for the US Air Force as a pure high speed fighter interceptor. First flight was on 4th March 1954 at Edwards AFB. By that time most European NATO Countries were looking for a new standard fighter/fighter bomber to form the backbone of their Air Forces.

Early designs of the Lockheed model could not really satisfy the European requirements, which resulted in the modified F-104G version. The "G" was concepted as low-level capable, high-speed fighter bomber with in- and egress speeds of up to MACH 2.5.

In 1958 Germany chose the Starfighter to replace the already outdated F-84 and F-86 versions in use by then. For political reasons the Marineflieger had to join this decision, though their demands were quite different.

The German Navy was looking for a two-seat, twin-engined aircraft to replace the old Seahawks, with the Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer being their favorite aircraft.