AD908 is cut from the forward fuselage skin of a Lockheed Burbank built spare knock-down assembly produced for C/N 3004 - the very first F-104J assembled in Japan. These dedicated spare assemblies were critical to production and later supported depot-level maintenance and overhaul. This is a truly remarkable piece of engineering, aerospace, and geopolitical history - one that carries Lockheed-built pedigree into the foreign operations of one of the most iconic fighters ever built.

The fully finished C/N 3004, which was not constructed using this assembly, became JASDF S/N 26-8504, which was tragically lost early in its service life.

We discovered this assembly in a boneyard earlier this year. Its final disposition in the United States is likely tied to MAP-9 (Military Assistance Program 9), which transferred several retired JASDF F-104s to the Republic of China Air Force (Taiwan). Under the program, aircraft, spare assemblies, and components first returned to U.S. custody before being transferred overseas.

AD908 features art by James Martin, complete with the kanji (Eiko), meaning "Glory."

Sheets:

Sheet 1 (TOPAS): TOPAS (The Original Production Archive Sheet) Air Drops are Sheet 1 (the first made) cards sealed in a magnetic case with a metallic security sticker. That sticker carries a serial number tied to the card's sheet number, cataloged here by us before it ships, so every TOPAS is recorded in our registry the moment it leaves the shop. The serial and aircraft info is printed on top of the case, too, for easy ID when stored vertically.

Each one ships in a custom box featuring the card art, a serialized TOPAS COA, a sticker, and an NFC tag that contains a digital download tied to that specific card, tucked inside the case. 

AD908 TOPAS Air Drops are offered in Rivet Hole (Air Drops that feature a rivet hole, printed on a matte silver card), Data Plate (on a shiny silver card), and White (white card). 

Sheet 2+: Our Standard Issue Air Drops are identical to TOPAS Air Drops in construction, but ships in a custom bag and do not come with the case, NFC, or registry card. AD908 Standard Air Drops are randomly fulfilled. Most are White or Green. Additionally, 2 Data Plate Air Drops, 5 Rivet Hole Air Drops, and 3 Opal holographic Air Drops are mixed into Sheet 2 and will be randomly fulfilled amongst Sheet 2 orders.