Designed as a supersonic superiority fighter, the F-104 was produced in two major versions. Armed with a six-barrel M-61 20mm Vulcan cannon, it served as a tactical fighter and, equipped additionally with heat-seeking Sidewinder missiles, as a day night interceptor. Development of the F-104 began in 1952 and the first XF-104 made its initial flight in 1954. On May 18, 1958, an F-104A set a world speed record of 1,404.19 mph, and on December 14, 1959, an F-104C set a world altitude record of 103,395 feet. The Starfighter was the first aircraft to hold simultaneous official world records for speed, altitude and time-to-climb.
The USAF procured about 300 Starfighters in one- and two-seat versions. In addition, more than 1,700 F-104s were built in the U.S. and abroad under the military aid program for various nations including Canada, West Germany, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Taiwan and Japan.
Specifications:n:
- Wing Span: 21 ft. 11 in.
- Length: 54 ft. 10 in.
- Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
- Weight: 27,853 lbs. max.
- Armament: One M-61 20mm cannon, two air-to-air missiles; nuclear or conventional bombs
- Engine: One General Electric J-79 of 15,800 lbs. thrust with afterburner
- Crew: One
- Maximum speed 1,320 mph.
- Cruising Speed 575 mph.
- Range 1,250 miles
- Service Ceiling 58,000 ft.
Information derived from “Travis Air Force Museum” by Nick Veronico copyright Travis AFB Historical Society/Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation. This book is available from the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum GIFT SHOP located in the Travis Air Museum.
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