F-104A/C Wing Pylon - Droptank interface

[YK GOH]

The wing pylon on the F-104A and F-104C is mounted at 90-degree to the wing. However, the wing-mounted droptank is installed with its fins parallel to the ground.

Am wondering whether there is an adapter to mount the droptank to the canted pylon or the droptank is actually mounted diametrically onto the pylon directly but the tailcone with the fin is rotated to have the fins parallel to the ground.

A close-up photo of the pylon/droptank interface will help, but has been searching in vain. Or is there someone who is familiar with this and can provide leads ?

Warmest regards,

YK

[72modeler]

YK,

 

Does this help? Looks like it might be from the same source as your diagram. @RidgeRunner might be able to help you regarding possible rotation of the rear fin assembly/tailcone.

Mike

 

http://www.916-starfighter.de/Large/Stars/wU476.htm

[RidgeRunner]

Hi YK, 

 

I think your question is whether the tail cone of the tank is turned to level the tail? No, the pylon join had an adapter to set the tank parallel. I think the image that zmike posted answers this?

 

Martin

[YK GOH]

Thanks Mike and Martin for your response. Yes, the diagram was from the same source but flipped over to show the starboard side.

Thanks for confirming that there is an adapter to install the droptank on the canted wing pylon. 

Other than scratch-building a triangular cross-section piece for the adapter, I guess the easiest way to replicate it on a F-104A or C model is to file the lower surface of the pylon flat and parallel to the ground. 

Edited April 1, 2019 by YK GOH

[Finn]

 I do not think there was an adapter because then then the lugs, fuel probe and air probe would have to be angled as well. I think the easiest way was to rotate the tail section to have the fins level. 

 

F-104

 

Jari

[RidgeRunner]

8 hours ago, Finn said:

 I do not think there was an adapter because then then the lugs, fuel probe and air probe would have to be angled as well. I think the easiest way was to rotate the tail section to have the fins level. 

 

F-104

 

Jari

True, Jari.

 

So, on my current YF-104A I will have to think again and re-set the pylons/tanks

Edited April 1, 2019 by RidgeRunner

[72modeler]

Jari,

 

If that was the case, then wouldn't the tank have been mounted on the pylon aligned vertically with it when viewed from the front, and then the tailcone/fin assembly rotated to bring the fins parallel with the ground? If you look at the photos and diagram, the tank is not aligned with the centerline of the pylon but is offset, which to me would mean that the entire tank was rotated, not the tailcone assembly. Does that make any sense? I'm just wonderin'! (Sure am glad I don't have any Starfighters in the works- there's something to be said for an F-104A with nothing on it but AIM-9's on the wingtip rails!) 😜

Mike

[RidgeRunner]

I agree, Mike. Even the drawings that were posted show this. 

 

A Stafighter without tanks - four tanks? - unheard of!

 

Martin

[72modeler]

2 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said:

I agree, Mike. Even the drawings that were posted show this. 

 

A Stafighter without tanks - four tanks? - unheard of!

 

Martin

Sort of like the takeoff procedure for a Lightning: Release brakes; engage reheat; retract undercart; start looking for a Victor K2. (I'm just sayin'! Don't get me wrong- I LOVE Lightnings- what a beast!)

Mike

[Finn]

Do not trust drawings as they can be wrong, go by the one posted above showing the nose of the tank is offset then if punched off who knows what it would do, come off cleanly or would it bounce off the airframe? The only way to tell for sure if we had a clear straight on view.

 

Air refuelling

 

Edit: here is a tank on a F-104G, essentially the same as on on a A or C, note the 3 fasteners between the final, loosen those the others on the other side and bottom an you can rotate the fins as you please.

 

Ext tank

 

When loading the centerline pylon on the CF-104 the tail of the BL755 and Mk-82 had to be rotated 15 degrees to allow for clearance.

 

Jari

Edited April 2, 2019 by Finn

[Tony Whittingham]

Hello All,

 I noticed the posts on the pylon and tanks. I was under the impression that the pylon was perpendicular to the ground line, at least on CF-104s. Could anyone clarify when this change took place? Or was this specific to the F-104G/CF-104?

 

TW

[YK GOH]

Hi TW,

The F-104A and F-104C has its underwing pylons mounted perpendicular to its wings.

The F-104G, CF-104 and F-104S has its underwing pylons mounted perpendicular to the ground line.

My original question was on how the droptank of the F-104A/C is loaded onto the wing pylon with its fins parallel to the ground line.

Warmest regards,

YK

[Boman]

57 minutes ago, YK GOH said:

 

My original question was on how the droptank of the F-104A/C is loaded onto the wing pylon with its fins parallel to the ground line.

 

The tailfins on the droptanks are perpendicular to the wing, not the ground on the F-104A/C. 

[Tony Whittingham]

1 hour ago, YK GOH said:

Hi TW,

The F-104A and F-104C has its underwing pylons mounted perpendicular to its wings.

The F-104G, CF-104 and F-104S has its underwing pylons mounted perpendicular to the ground line.

My original question was on how the droptank of the F-104A/C is loaded onto the wing pylon with its fins parallel to the ground line.

Warmest regards,

YK

I see that now, thanks very much for the clarification.

 

TW