F104M from Cocas and Co

[Stratos 3,188]

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F104M from Cocas and Co

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The F104M by CAF team, 3d work by Cocas, skins by Nyghtfall, other ini work by Coupi, testing by Stratos, Coupi, Wrench, Nyghtfall.

Some small whatif background: 

The Lockheed F104M was a 1960s company-funded proposal for an improved air superiority Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. It was intended for both the USAF and the export market and was in direct competition with the Northrop F-5E Tiger II, Dassault Mirage F1 and the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. Lockheed hoped to capitalize on its F-104 production experience through commonality of parts and systems, and minimize expenses by reusing tooling, jigs and existing factory facilities. 

Borrowing heavily from the F-104 design the new type featured a new high-mounted, increased span wing and low-mounted, enlarged tailplanes. Both features were incorporated to improve flight handling characteristics and short-field performance. 

The F104M was heavily focused for the USAF, trying to sell it as a improved dogfighter variant of the F104 interceptor. Seeing how the F104 small payload and relatively low agility can be a problem If dogfight capability ever arise, the USAF decided to try several prototypes. They liked the plane so much that several squadrons were equipped with the plane that formed part of the USAF until mid 70's.

 

Included: One plane with several skins and variations.

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• Submitter
  Stratos
• Submitted
  08/05/2018
• Category
  What If Hangar