Kenyan EF-104S Starfighter

[comrade harps]

Lockheed/Singapore Aviation Industries EF-104S
a/c 570, Maroba II, 135thTactical Fighter Squadron (135 TFS), 15th Tactical Fighter Wing (15 TFW), Kenyan Air Force (KAF)



The Kenyan Air Force (KAF) ordered 72 S model Starfighters in 1968. Designed by Lockheed and built by Singapore Aviation Industries (SAI), the F-104S series was an update on the extensively built F-104S. The avionics were upgraded, a more powerful J79-GE-19 turbojet installed and rear strakes  were added to improve stabilisation at high speed. Unlike the G, the S was compatible with the AIM-7 Sparrow, thanks to its NASARR R-21G/H radar.




Kenya acquired 56 F-104S airframes to fulfil a multirole combat aircraft requirement, being equipped to meet demands for fighter, attack, and photo reconnaissance. In addition to their air-to-air armament of AIM-7E2 Sparrows and AIM-9J Sidewinders, air to surface ordnance included Mk.82 and Mk.83 bombs and Rockeye II CBUs. The Sparrow capability could be removed to enable the installation of an internal 20mm Vulcan cannon. A centreline mounted Eastman Kodak Canada Lime Custard pod provided a photo reconnaissance capability. The pod mounted 4 70mm cameras: forward, vertical, left and right. ALQ-101 or ALQ-119 ECM pods were also seen on Kenyan Starfighters.

16 of the Kenyan Starfighters were designated EF-104S, a dedicated SEAD version. These airframes omitted both the Vulcan and Sparrow capabilities in favour of the internally mounted Loral ALQ-178(V) RAPPORT II (Rapid Alert Programmed Power management of Radar Targets II). This provided passive radar warning, identification and bearing information plus active threat jamming. As modelled here, their standard armament of AGM-45B Shrikes were carried on the outer underwing pylons.

An accompanying order for 14 Argentine built TF-104G trainers completed the KAF's Starfighter fleet.




Kenya's 15 TFW deployed from Laikipia Air Base to Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok in UN occupied southern Algeria during February 1973. The Wing brought with it 4 Tactical Fighter Squadrons. The 15th, 115th and 125th squadrons flew the F-104S and were tasked with fighter and attack duties. The 125th was additionally equipped and qualified for photo reconnaissance. The 135th used the EF-104S, its planes and pilots being dedicated to SEAD duties.




The appearance of the Kenyan Starfighters changed about a month into the deployment. The delivery paint scheme of UN Standard Colors Sierra Tan, Dark Green and Rust with Pale Grey undersides was found to be too bright and too high in contrast. To soften it, Neutral Grey was applied to the sides between the upper and lower paintwork. Slate Grey was added to counter-shade the Dark Green and Wood Brown replaced the Rust. These changes successfully adapted the appearance of the aircraft to match their new operational environment, both softening the appearance of the camouflage and making it more disruptive.



The 15th TFW flew a variety of mission types during the development. Both offensive and defensive counter air operations were flown, including escort, sweep, defensive patrols and QRA. Tactical targets across Red held North Africa were attacked, from frontline CAS to the interdiction of Mediterranean ports. Reconnaissance and SEAD sorties supported these operations.



Despite positive sounding propaganda from the KAF and the UN, the attrition rate was high. The KAF lost 7 Starfighters to training accidents from April 1970 to January 1973. During their combat assignment from February to November 1973, the 15th TWF lost a further 29 planes. In return, they only shot down 7 Red jets: 3 Fishbeds, 2 Fitters, a Flagon and a Fillet.




Another 4 TF-104Gs were lost on training missions during the same period. This was an unsustainable level of attrition. Rather than buy more Starfighters, the Kenyan government selected Mirage F1AK, EK and DKs as urgent replacements; aircraft were delivered from both the Canadian and Nigerian production lines. The 15th TFW received their first Mirages in 1977, assigned to the 15th TFS. The 135th TFS was still operational with a mix of EF-104S and F-104S when Kenya fell to the Reds in 1980.





Although Kenya gained its independence from the Free British Empire in 1963, the Kenyan Air Force was established on 1 June 1964. Despite this, the rump RAF and the Commonwealth of Nations had established civilian and military aviation training programs for Kenyans as early as 1954. These saw Kenyans trained in both air and ground disciplines, with Kenyan personnel absorbed into the RAF and the paramilitary Kenyan Police Air Wing. The first jets to arrive were Nigerian built NF-5A/NRF-5A/NF-5B Freedom Fighters from 1966. Nevertheless, the rapid expansion that came with the Starfighter acquisition was only made possible by the recruitment of foreign exchange and contract personnel.



Captain Mengistu Worku of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force (IEAF) joined the 135th Squadron as an exchange pilot in July 1973. A combat veteran, he had flown A-1H Skyraiders on COIN duties and A-4F Skyhawks against the Reds over North Africa. His experience of flying Skyhawks in the SEAD role with Shrikes led Worku to his next assignment, that of a SEAD instructor at the UN Air Combat Academy in Djibouti. It was here that he trained Kenyan EF-104S pilots in the craft of defence suppression. He joined the 135th TFS when it deployed to Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok as part of an exchange program, taking the role of a Flight Leader. His personally assigned aircraft, tail number 520, was named Marubo II, after the surname of a famous Kenyan actress. He survived the tour and was flying a HAL built Mirage J79C.2 when shot down by an Egyptian MiG-23 Flogger in October 1980. He survived and escaped to Saudi Arabia.

[NARSES2]

Looking good sir   

[George the Cat]

absolutely fab'. 

always nice to see a Kenyan subject modelled.

[DogfighterZen]

  

[Captain Canada]

Great story and I love the paint scheme and colour combo ! Looks great with the big missiles underwing as well. Nice work.

[zenrat]

 

[Weaver]

Nice one - love a good backstory. 

[su27rules]

      

[HarryPhishnuts]

Love that scheme for a F-104. 

[chrisonord]

Marvellous 

[McColm]

Well done, I was a little bit confused with the designation as E usually means electronic such as the EF-111A whereas the F-104 ECR Starfighter might have been a better option but it's your build and anything goes in Whiffland.

[comrade harps]

Well done, I was a little bit confused with the designation as E usually means electronic such as the EF-111A whereas the F-104 ECR Starfighter might have been a better option but it's your build and anything goes in Whiffland.

I wanted it to be a clear variation of the F-104S and alreadt have the next letter as the Taiwanese F-104T. Also, the real world precedents are the (unofficially designated) EF-105F Thunderchief Wild Weasel III and the EF-4C Wild Weasel IV. Both were Shrike armed and not jammers.

[Gondor]

Well done, I was a little bit confused with the designation as E usually means electronic such as the EF-111A whereas the F-104 ECR Starfighter might have been a better option but it's your build and anything goes in Whiffland.

Not so, a lot of aircraft for Spain use the letter E in front of the usual aircraft designation, similar to the Canadians using the letter C.

[McColm]

Well done, I was a little bit confused with the designation as E usually means electronic such as the EF-111A whereas the F-104 ECR Starfighter might have been a better option but it's your build and anything goes in Whiffland.

Not so, a lot of aircraft for Spain use the letter E in front of the usual aircraft designation, similar to the Canadians using the letter C.

That's true but Kenya isn't part of Spain.

[Gondor]

Well done, I was a little bit confused with the designation as E usually means electronic such as the EF-111A whereas the F-104 ECR Starfighter might have been a better option but it's your build and anything goes in Whiffland.

Not so, a lot of aircraft for Spain use the letter E in front of the usual aircraft designation, similar to the Canadians using the letter C.

That's true but Kenya isn't part of Spain.

Very observant. Thailand is not art of Spain either. But when they bought the former Spanish Harriers, the designation didn't change just because the owner did. What I am saying is, there is precedent for letters at the front of the aircraft role letter, and as this is whiff-world, he can call it what ever he pleases.