Difference between revisions of "F-104 Starfighter"
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==Specifications== | ==Specifications== | ||
| + | |||
| + | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| + | |||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Type''' | ||
| + | | Single seat fighter | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Contractor''' | ||
| + | | [[Lockheed Corporation]] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Power plant''' | ||
| + | | One General Electric J79 with 10,000 pounds of thrust | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Length''' | ||
| + | | 54 feet, 9 inches | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Height''' | ||
| + | | 13 feet, 6 inches | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Speed''' | ||
| + | | 1,300 miles per hour | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Wingspan''' | ||
| + | | 21 feet, 11 inches | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Empty weight''' | ||
| + | | 14,082 pounds | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''Crew''' | ||
| + | | One | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |'''Unrefueled range''' | ||
| + | | 690 miles | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |'''Maximum Weight''' | ||
| + | | 27,779 pounds | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |'''Armament''' | ||
| + | |One General Electric M61 six-barrel 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]] | ||
Revision as of 19:21, August 26, 2008
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a high-speed interceptor for the United States Air Force and one of the first production supersonic aircraft in the world.
Development
In 1952, "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.
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 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.
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 Meteors, F-86 Sabres, and F-80 Shooting Stars, and Lockheed launched the F-104G Super Starfighter (G for Germany) program.
The NATO pilots found the aircraft hard to handle, but as pilots grew more experienced, losses of aircraft in accidents came down.
The F-104S was a special version built for Italy and Turkey, and the most developed one, with the ability to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles (thus the S).
Lockheed tried to get the IFA contract with the F-104, but the Northrop F-5 got it.
Specifications
| Type | Single seat fighter |
| Contractor | Lockheed Corporation |
| Power plant | One General Electric J79 with 10,000 pounds of thrust |
| Length | 54 feet, 9 inches |
| Height | 13 feet, 6 inches |
| Speed | 1,300 miles per hour |
| Wingspan | 21 feet, 11 inches |
| Empty weight | 14,082 pounds |
| Crew | One |
| Unrefueled range | 690 miles |
| Maximum Weight | 27,779 pounds |
| Armament | One General Electric M61 six-barrel cannon, two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 4000 pounds of external stores |