Changes

==Development==

==Development==

In 1952, [[Clarence Johnson| "Kelly" Johnson]], the chief engineer of [[Lockheed]], began to design a supersonic fighter superior to the [[MiG-15]] and the [[MiG-17]].<ref>[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/airdef/f-104.htm F-104 at FAS.org]</ref>  He intended the aircraft to be small, single engined, economical, and maneuverable, although he designed the top speed to be around Mach 2.2. The short, stubby straight wings (which gave the aircraft the name of a "missile with a man in it") were so sharp that a covering had to be placed over them on the ground. A downward-firing [[ejection seat]] was fitted in the cockpit because a conventional one (firing upwards) might have hit the high tail.

In 1952, [[Clarence Johnson|"Kelly" Johnson]], the chief engineer of [[Lockheed]], began to design a supersonic fighter superior to the [[MiG-15]] and the [[MiG-17]].<ref>[http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/airdef/f-104.htm F-104 at FAS.org]</ref>  He intended the aircraft to be small, single engined, economical, and maneuverable, although he designed the top speed to be around Mach 2.2. The short, stubby straight wings (which gave the aircraft the name of a "missile with a man in it") were so sharp that a covering had to be placed over them on the ground. A downward-firing [[ejection seat]] was fitted in the cockpit because a conventional one (firing upwards) might have hit the high tail.

==Service==

==Service==

The Air Force purchased the next version, the F-104C, for the Tactical Air Command. In 1965, they too went to the Air National Guard.

The Air Force purchased the next version, the F-104C, for the Tactical Air Command. In 1965, they too went to the Air National Guard.

While not prominent in the [[Vietnam War]], F-104s did serve there as fighter-bombers<ref>[http://www.916-starfighter.de/Large/Stars/wu910.htm Picture of F-104Cs heading north]</ref> and escorts<ref>[http://www.vectorsite.net/avf104_1.html F-104 in USAF service]</ref>. They turned out to be fairly effective strike aircraft, but saw little air combat.  Some were downed by SAMs and anti-aircraft fire, and one was shot down in 1965 by Chinese [[MiG-19]]s after the pilot got lost and wandered into Chinese airspace over [[Hainan]].  The pilot, Captain Phil Smith, ejected, was captured, and held prisoner until 1973.  All USAF Starfighters were withdrawn from southeast Asia by mid-1967.

While not prominent in the [[Vietnam War]], F-104s did serve there as fighter-bombers<ref>[http://www.916-starfighter.de/Large/Stars/wu910.htm Picture of F-104Cs heading north]</ref> and escorts.<ref>[http://www.vectorsite.net/avf104_1.html F-104 in USAF service]</ref>  They turned out to be fairly effective strike aircraft, but saw little air combat.  Some were downed by SAMs and anti-aircraft fire, and one was shot down in 1965 by Chinese [[MiG-19]]s after the pilot got lost and wandered into Chinese airspace over [[Hainan]].  The pilot, Captain Phil Smith, ejected, was captured, and held prisoner until 1973.  All USAF Starfighters were withdrawn from southeast Asia by mid-1967.

==Foreign service==

==Foreign service==

<references/>

<references/>

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.starfighter.no/web/indeng.html Site for Enthusiasts of Norwegian F-104 Starfighters]

*[http://www.starfighter.no/web/indeng.html Site for Enthusiasts of Norwegian F-104 Starfighters]

[[Category: Aircraft]]

[[Category:Aircraft]]

[[Category: United States Air Force]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]