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U. S.
Military Aircraft
Lockheed F-104G Photo M. Rostaing |
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In 1952 Lockheed began work on a single seat interceptor capable of besetting any Soviet block warplane, priority being given to maneuverability and performance in terms of speed and climb rate. What emerged for a flight in March 1954 was instantly dubbed a "manned missile" the long fuselage was tailored round the J79 engine, and the flying surface were small, un-swept and very thin. Development was difficult, and when the first F-104As enter service in 1958 the US Air Force had already lost interest in the type and took only 296 Starfighters. The type was then saved by the creation of the F-104G multi-role version for production by a multi-national European consortium as well as for Japan. Total Starfighter production was 2,282 units. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Lockheed | Length: 54 ft. 9 in. |
| First Flight: March 1954. | Height: 13 ft. 6 in. |
| Model: G | Wing Span: 21 ft. 11 in. |
| Crew: One | Wing Area: 196.1 sq. ft. |
| Nickname: Starfighter | Empty Weight: 14,900 lb. |
| Basic Role: Multi-role | Max. Weight: 28,779 lb. |
| Other
Versions: F-104A interceptor.
F-104B two seat trainer. F-104C tactical strike.
F-104D two seat trainer. F-104G definitive multiple warplane
with a strengthened structure, more power, and revised electronic. RF-104G tactical reconnaissance.
TF-104G a F-104G trainer.
F-104J a F-104G version for Japan. F-104S improved air defense version developed in Italy. CF-104 Canadian built F-104G. CF-104D a CF-104 two seat trainer. |
Armament: One 20-mm multi-barrel cannon and up to 4,310 lb. of disposable stores. |
| Principal User: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Taiwan, Turkey, USA, and West Germany. |
Propulsion |
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Performance |
Power Plant: General Electric J79-GE-11A turbojet. |
| Range: 1,550 miles. | Horsepower: 15,800-lb reheated thrust. |
| Max. Speed: 1,450 mph. | No. Of Engines: One |
| Ceiling: 58,000 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: 55,000 ft. per minute. |
Photos Of Other F-104's
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This F-104S ASA represents the ultimate development of the legendary but still controversial Starfighter. Photo Coll B. Thouanel |