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| 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 when 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 Dec. 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 United States, and 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: Span: 21 ft. 11 in. Length: 54 ft. 10 in. Height: 13 ft. 6 in. Weight: 27,853 lbs. maximum 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 Cost: $1,471,000 Serial number: 56-914 C/N: 383-1202 PERFORMANCE: Maximum speed: 1,320 mph cruising Speed: 575 mph Range: 1,250 miles Service ceiling: 58,000 ft. |
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| Bibliography: National Museum of the USAF |