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]]. 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 XF-104 made its maiden flight on March 4, 1954 with a less powerful [[Wright J65]] engine (it was designed to use the prototype [[General Electric]] J79 engine). There were so many testing accidents that the aircraft till July 1958 to be cleared for production.  

The XF-104 made its maiden flight on March 4, 1954 with a less powerful [[Wright J65]] engine (it was designed to use the prototype [[General Electric]] J79 engine). There were so many testing accidents that the aircraft wasn't cleared for production until July 1958.  

The F-104As were delivered to the [[Air Defense Command]] of the Air Force to be used as interceptors. Although the jets set numerous speed and height records, the interceptors were transferred to the [[Air National Guard]].

The F-104As were delivered to the [[Air Defense Command]] of the Air Force to be used as interceptors. Although the jets set numerous speed and height records, the interceptors were transferred 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.  

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-19s 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==

Although the USAF had lost interest in the F-104, a group of [[NATO]] countries led by [[Germany]] selected the aircraft as the fighter to replace the aging [[Gloster Meteor]]s, [[F-86 Sabre]]s, and [[F-80 Shooting Star]]s, and Lockheed launched the F-104G Super Starfighter (G for Germany) program.

Although the USAF had lost interest in the F-104, a group of [[NATO]] countries led by [[Germany]] selected the aircraft as the fighter to replace the aging [[Gloster Meteor]]s, [[F-86 Sabre]]s, and [[F-80 Shooting Star]]s, and Lockheed launched the F-104G Super Starfighter (G for Germany) program.

Lockheed tried to get the IFA contract with the F-104, but the Northrop F-5 got it.

Lockheed tried to get the IFA contract with the F-104, but the Northrop F-5 got it.

==Specifications==

==Specifications==

|-

|-

|'''Armament'''

|'''Armament'''

|One General Electric M61 six-barrel cannon, two [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] air-to-air missiles, 4000 pounds of external stores

|One General Electric M61 six-barrel 20-mm cannon, two [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] air-to-air missiles, 4000 pounds of external stores

|}

|}

[[Category: Aircraft]]

[[Category: Aircraft]]

[[Category: United States Air Force]]

[[Category: United States Air Force]]