Lore

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, often referred to as the "Missile with a Man in It," holds a unique place in aviation history due to its revolutionary design and its storied service record. Conceived during the Cold War by the legendary aircraft designer Clarence "Kelly" Johnson and his team at the Lockheed Skunk Works, the F-104 was designed as a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor to counter the growing Soviet bomber threat.

Design and Features

The F-104 was distinguished by its sleek, needle-like fuselage and incredibly thin, stubby wings, which earned it a reputation for being both an engineering marvel and a challenging aircraft to fly. Its design emphasized speed and climb rate, powered by a single General Electric J79 turbojet engine capable of producing up to 15,800 pounds of thrust with afterburner. This allowed the F-104 to achieve speeds exceeding Mach 2 and to rapidly reach altitudes of 50,000 feet.

Service Record

First flown in 1954 and entering service with the United States Air Force in 1958, the F-104 quickly set multiple speed and altitude records. However, its operational history was marred by a high accident rate, earning it the grim nickname "Widowmaker." Despite this, the aircraft was praised for its impressive performance and was beloved by many of its pilots.

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