**NO FLARES, NO ESCAPE:** Why the F-104J Starfighter is **Useless at 10.3 BR** (AIM-9P Tactics)

Get 3% Off on the War Thunder Store + DECAL : https://bit.ly/3iLtBwh Get 3% Off on the Enlisted Store : https://bit.ly/3lqRLhz Hello everyone! Today, we're doing a full review on the Japanese *F-104J Starfighter* at 10.3 BR. This jet has a fantastic engine and a powerful 20mm cannon, but it is crippled by a combination of missing defenses and an unsuitable armament. This is one of the most frustrating experiences you can have in War Thunder [00:00:06]. 3 Core Struggles of the F-104J: *NO COUNTERMEASURES:* This is the biggest flaw. The classic "Boom and Zoom" playstyle of the F-104 is completely dead because you cannot defend against the *All-Aspect Missiles* (R-60M, etc.) carried by jets that were moved down in BR, such as the MiG-21bis, Su-25, and A-10 [00:02:22]. There is no way to fly away from a head-on missile. *NO AGENCY (Forced Passive Play):* Because of the lack of flares, you are forced to play incredibly passively, or "scaredy cat" [00:02:45], waiting until the very end of the battle. If you engage early, all it takes is one enemy to launch an all-aspect missile from any angle to end your run [00:05:03]. *Unsuitable Missiles:* The *6 x AIM-9P* missiles (an AIM-9J equivalent) are too short-range for the F-104's high-speed interceptor role [00:06:39]. The F-104 needs longer-range missiles (like the AIM-9G or AIM-9D) so it can fire from a safer distance and retreat before the enemy even knows where the shot came from [00:06:50]. Summary: The F-104J is a one-trick pony [00:08:05]: you have to go in, bang your short-range missiles, fire your M61A1 cannon, and leave immediately. If you miss, you have to reset your run, which costs time and fuel. This jet is not recommended unless you are completing the Japanese tech tree and can skip it via the Thai line [00:08:23]. Despite the pain, we achieved a deceptive 3.27:1 K/D (85 Air Kills / 26 Deaths in 47 battles) [00:09:04]. Do not let the stats fool you—the experience is terrible! *** CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Intro: F-104J is a *Very Odd Plane* 00:01:38 *Struggle 1:* *NO COUNTERMEASURES* Kills the Starfighter 00:02:22 The *All-Aspect Missile* Problem (MiG-21bis, Su-25, A-10) 00:02:45 *Struggle 2:* *NO AGENCY* & Playing Scared 00:03:58 The Lack of *Turn-Fighting* Capability 00:04:36 Ground RB is *Worthless* (Only 38 Mighty Mouse) 00:06:05 *Struggle 3:* AIM-9P is *Too Short Range* 00:07:20 The Need for *AIM-9G/D* 00:08:23 The F-104J is a *One-Trick Pony* 00:08:56 Final Stats: The *Deceptive* 3.27:1 K/D .SUPPORT HERE. Gaijin Store Discount: https://bit.ly/3iLtBwh Merch:   / theeuropeancanadian   Patreon:   / theeuropeancanadian   Discord:   / discord   .SOCIALS. Linktree: linktr.ee/theeuropeancanadian Twitter: https://x.com/EuropeanCanadia Business Email: [email protected] Patreon:   / theeuropeancanadian   Gameplay Channel:    / @tec9349   #WarThunder #GameBalance #BalancedVsUnbalanced #WarThunderSeries #MetaAnalysis #GamingControversy