Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

by Jaroslaw Dobrzynski

Mushroom Model Publications

Reviewed by Mick Evans

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This new publication from Mushroom Models Publications is in A4 size format and contains 176 pages packed with detail.  The quality of paper, photographs and printing is excellent.  The publication is a softcover publication and has gloss paper pages throughout.

The publication is an illustrated history of Lockheed’s dart shaped supersonic interceptor and fighter-bomber.  One of the Century Series of aircraft, the Starfighter was operated the air forces of more than a dozen nations from 1958 to amazingly 2004. 

The author has covered and described all the different versions of the aircraft, from the prototype versions through to the final export and license built versions including all the changes in specification, equipment and performance.  The publication contains drawings and data from the manufacturer’s original technical manuals, full dimensional details and photographs of surviving examples preserved in aviation museums illustrate all aspects of the airframe, inside and out. 

There are hundreds of photographs including some rare early black and white archive photographs of the prototype and F-104A model. 

The publication has many illustrations and features 40 superb colour profiles of camouflage and markings as well as walk-around colour photographs.  Included are some of the more striking schemes applied to the Starfighter throughout its service life including some of the colourful tiger schemes and the amazing Mount Olympus scheme of the Hellenic Air force. 

There are some excellent 1/72 scale line drawings of the different versions along with line drawings of the different weapons pylon, drop tanks and weapons that could be carried by the Starfighter in its various roles.

Highly Recommended

Thanks to MMP Books  for the sample.

All MMP Books are available direct from the publishers, who now accept credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Switch)  

North American distributors are MMD, Australian distributors are Platypus Publications. In Europe, the books are available from any good bookshop (via our UK distributors, Orca). Contact MMP direct in case of difficulties. 

Thanks to Roger at MMO Books  for the sample.

Review Copyright © 2015 by Mick Evans
This Page Created on 11 May, 2015
Last updated 11 May, 2015

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