| HOBBY MASTER COLLECTOR |
| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Jet Powered) HA1002 - USAF F-104C "Pussy Cat", 435th TFS, Lt. Joe Nevers Squadron Commander, Udorn AFB, Thailand |
HISTORY OF THE F-104 IN VIETNAM WAR AND THE 435th
From April 20 – November 20 1965 there was a large presence of F-104s in Vietnam but were returned to the U.S. at
that time.
Early on in 1966 the supersonic Mig-21 started to appear in the skies over North Vietnam creating a large threat to U.
S. aircraft.
The U.S. answer to the problem was to re-deploy the F-104s, so in June 1966 F-104Cs from the 435th TFS
“Screaming Eagles” started to arrive at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand.
All the aircraft were now wearing the 3 tones SEA (South East Asia) camouflage that soon started to be referred to as
“Vietnamese Camouflage”. The SEA camouflage was one shade of tan and two shades of green on the upper
surfaces to help blend in with the landscape and jungle foliage. A light gray covered the underside so that from the
ground the aircraft would blend with the sky.
It was armed with a 20mm M61A1 cannon that was fed 725 rounds stored in the fuselage. To add to their sting the
plane could carry a pair of wingtip mounted AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles and up to 2,000lbs of external ordnance
(rockets, bombs, napalm or drop tanks) under the wings and fuselage. A later addition was the ability to put a pair of
Sidewinders under the fuselage.
From June 1966 – July 1967 F-104Cs completed over 5,290 bombing and escort sorties into North Vietnam. The
USAF decided to replace the 104s with the more efficient McDonnell F-4D Phantoms so in July 1967 the
replacements started. The last F-104 left Thailand around the end of 1967 with the 435th departing in July and
returning to George AFB, California.
From April 20 – November 20 1965 there was a large presence of F-104s in Vietnam but were returned to the U.S. at
that time.
Early on in 1966 the supersonic Mig-21 started to appear in the skies over North Vietnam creating a large threat to U.
S. aircraft.
The U.S. answer to the problem was to re-deploy the F-104s, so in June 1966 F-104Cs from the 435th TFS
“Screaming Eagles” started to arrive at Udorn RTAFB in Thailand.
All the aircraft were now wearing the 3 tones SEA (South East Asia) camouflage that soon started to be referred to as
“Vietnamese Camouflage”. The SEA camouflage was one shade of tan and two shades of green on the upper
surfaces to help blend in with the landscape and jungle foliage. A light gray covered the underside so that from the
ground the aircraft would blend with the sky.
It was armed with a 20mm M61A1 cannon that was fed 725 rounds stored in the fuselage. To add to their sting the
plane could carry a pair of wingtip mounted AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles and up to 2,000lbs of external ordnance
(rockets, bombs, napalm or drop tanks) under the wings and fuselage. A later addition was the ability to put a pair of
Sidewinders under the fuselage.
From June 1966 – July 1967 F-104Cs completed over 5,290 bombing and escort sorties into North Vietnam. The
USAF decided to replace the 104s with the more efficient McDonnell F-4D Phantoms so in July 1967 the
replacements started. The last F-104 left Thailand around the end of 1967 with the 435th departing in July and
returning to George AFB, California.
HOBBY MASTER HA1002 F-104C
From one of the most significant
periods of modern U.S. history, the
Vietnam War, comes the Lockheed
F-104C. Throughout their stay they
flew over 5,290 sorties on bombing
and escort missions. The F-104Cs
turned out not to be what the USAF
needed for this war so they were
replaced by the F-4D Phantom.
Hobby Master has captured every
fine line and detail of this sleek
plane. Starting with a canopy that
can be displayed closed or opened,
you will also find two Sidewinder
missiles, detachable fuel tank and
landing gear that can be changed
between the up or down position.
Even their unique “tripod head”
stand has been made more rigid for
those that want to display in this
manner. Superbly finished in the 3
tone camouflage of the Vietnam
War this makes a stunning addition
to any collection.
From one of the most significant
periods of modern U.S. history, the
Vietnam War, comes the Lockheed
F-104C. Throughout their stay they
flew over 5,290 sorties on bombing
and escort missions. The F-104Cs
turned out not to be what the USAF
needed for this war so they were
replaced by the F-4D Phantom.
Hobby Master has captured every
fine line and detail of this sleek
plane. Starting with a canopy that
can be displayed closed or opened,
you will also find two Sidewinder
missiles, detachable fuel tank and
landing gear that can be changed
between the up or down position.
Even their unique “tripod head”
stand has been made more rigid for
those that want to display in this
manner. Superbly finished in the 3
tone camouflage of the Vietnam
War this makes a stunning addition
to any collection.
F-104 SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 21 ft. 11 in.
Length: 54 ft. 10 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 27,853 lbs. max.
Armament: One M-61 20mm cannon, two air-to-air missiles: nuclear or conventional bombs
Engine: One General Electric J-79 of 15,800 lbs. thrust with afterburner
Crew: One
Cost: $1,471,000 (1950 & early 60’s dollars)
NORMAL PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 1,320 mph.
cruising Speed: 575 mph.
Range: 1,250 miles
Service Ceiling: 58,000 ft.
Span: 21 ft. 11 in.
Length: 54 ft. 10 in.
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 27,853 lbs. max.
Armament: One M-61 20mm cannon, two air-to-air missiles: nuclear or conventional bombs
Engine: One General Electric J-79 of 15,800 lbs. thrust with afterburner
Crew: One
Cost: $1,471,000 (1950 & early 60’s dollars)
NORMAL PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 1,320 mph.
cruising Speed: 575 mph.
Range: 1,250 miles
Service Ceiling: 58,000 ft.
Background history of "Pussy Cat"
The F-104C that Hobby Master concentrated on has a long and varied existence. Built by Lockheed and first
assigned as FG-910 to 479th TFW 434th TFS “Red Devils”, George AFB, CA. In 1960 it was re-assigned to the
479th TFW, 436th TFS “Black Aces” Moron AB, Spain. From 1966 –1967 it served with 435th TFS “Screaming
Eagles” at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand.
One of the pilots that flew this particular aircraft was Squadron Commander Lt. Joe Nevers and the F-104 was
adorned with the nose art “Pussy Cat”, which was located on the starboard side of the fuselage only. From 1967 –
1975 the serial number became “0-60910” with the 198th TFS PR ANG, Muniz ANGB, San Juan Puerto Rico. In
August 1975 the plane was transferred to Lowry AFB, Colorado for preservation. In 1997 it was on the move again
this time it was put on display at Wings Over The Rockies Aviation Museum, Denver CO.
The F-104C that Hobby Master concentrated on has a long and varied existence. Built by Lockheed and first
assigned as FG-910 to 479th TFW 434th TFS “Red Devils”, George AFB, CA. In 1960 it was re-assigned to the
479th TFW, 436th TFS “Black Aces” Moron AB, Spain. From 1966 –1967 it served with 435th TFS “Screaming
Eagles” at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand.
One of the pilots that flew this particular aircraft was Squadron Commander Lt. Joe Nevers and the F-104 was
adorned with the nose art “Pussy Cat”, which was located on the starboard side of the fuselage only. From 1967 –
1975 the serial number became “0-60910” with the 198th TFS PR ANG, Muniz ANGB, San Juan Puerto Rico. In
August 1975 the plane was transferred to Lowry AFB, Colorado for preservation. In 1997 it was on the move again
this time it was put on display at Wings Over The Rockies Aviation Museum, Denver CO.
