F-104 Starfighter

Image: USAF Museum via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)

F-104 Starfighter

Designation: F-104G

Lockheed Cold War fighter 1958-2004

Why it matters

Kelly Johnson called it 'the missile with a man in it.' The F-104 Starfighter was the purest expression of speed-over-everything design philosophy. Those tiny, razor-sharp wings could cut paper. It set world records for speed and altitude. Test pilots rode it to the edge of space. It was controversial — deadly in Luftwaffe service, legendary among test pilots. Nothing else looked like it.

Specifications

Max Speed Mach 2.2 (1,450 mph)
Range 1,630 miles
Service Ceiling 58,000 ft
Engine General Electric J79-GE-11A turbojet
Power/Thrust 15,800 lbf with afterburner
Wingspan 21 ft 11 in
Length 54 ft 9 in
Crew 1
Production 2,578 built
First Flight 1954-03-04
Service Dates 1958-2004

Armament

  • • 1x 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon
  • • AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles
  • • Nuclear capability

Notable Features

  • "Missile with a man in it"
  • Razor-thin wings
  • First Mach 2 operational fighter
  • T-tail configuration

Patina notes

The F-104's extreme design created extreme stress patterns. Those thin wings flexed in ways that left evidence in the aluminum. The single J79 engine ran hot, and the rear fuselage shows thermal effects. The ejection seat rails and canopy tracks wear from thousands of cycles. Museum examples often still carry the scars of their operational service.

Preservation reality

Hundreds of F-104s survive in museums worldwide — the type was built in large numbers and served many air forces. A handful remain airworthy, operated by civilian owners who maintain the specialized systems. The J79 engine is well-understood and parts are available. The Starfighter is more accessible than many Cold War jets.

Where to see one

  • • National Museum of the US Air Force
  • • Pima Air & Space Museum
  • • California Science Center
  • • Aerospace Museum of California

Preservation organizations

  • • Starfighter Foundation
  • • Edwards AFB Flight Test Museum

Sources