NASA STARFIGHTER KITS

Ed Berg recently mentioned the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, a supersonic jet from the 1950s. Someone asked about NASA versions.

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2023/12/eds-tin-f-104-starfighter-from-acs.html#comment-form

I do not know about NASA F-104 toys, but there have been a few kits with NASA markings. The old National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics was established to carry out aviation research, and was incorporated in to the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958.

NACA and NASA operated around a dozen F-104 Starfighters of various versions from 1956 to 1994, for research work, training, and as chase planes to monitor other aircraft. They carried a variety of colour schemes over the years.

All of these are standard Starfighter kits, with NASA markings. Most have NASA box art as well.

The kits are in 1/48th, 1/72nd, and even 1/144th scales. In addition, there are many Starfighter decal sheets that include NASA or NACA markings.

All dates from Scalemates, so treat them with caution.

The Testors F-104A Starfighter, in 1/48th scale, is from 1972. It is a re-issue of the old Hawk kit.

The Italian ESCI Lockheed F-104N N.A.S.A. in 1/48th depicts one of the three F-104N models built especially for NASA. Kit from 1980.

The 1/48th scale Ertl model was an American re-issue of the ESCI kit. The ESCI box art is re-used with some changes, 1983.

The 1/48th scale Hasegawa Lockheed Martin F-104G Starfighter 'NASA', is from 2002. The Starfighter was out of production by the time Lockheed became Lockheed Martin, so the kit name is incorrect.

The F-104G Starfighter 'NASA' in 1/72nd scale is another Hasegawa kit, from 2004. This uses the same box top photograph as the 1/48th scale kit, but the scales are only mentioned on the ends of the boxes.

The Platz F-104G Starfighter 'NASA & USAF' is 1/144th scale, and there are two complete kits in the box. A 2015 release.

There is also the 1/72nd scale F-104G Starfighter 'USAF/NASA' kit by Hasegawa from 1990. However, this kit has USAF box art.

Six photographs from Worthpoint.

Paul Adams from New Zealand