The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter: A Legacy of Speed and Controversy

In the annals of aviation history, few aircraft have commanded as much respect and notoriety as the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. Designed as a high-speed interceptor, this "missile with a man in it" pushed the boundaries of supersonic flight, setting numerous world records. However, its legacy is a complex tapestry of breathtaking engineering achievements and a challenging safety record that earned it somber nicknames in several air forces.

: A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-104G Starfighter in flight on 2 June 1963.

Key Facts

An F-104G target tug of the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) taking off from Ching Chaun Kang AB, Taichung, Taiwan, in 1969, with a Dart tow target slung under its wing.

Manufacturer: Lockheed (United States)
Primary Role: Interceptor and Fighter-bomber
Total Built: 2,578 aircraft
Top Speed: Mach 2 (approximately 1,528 mph)
Notable Users: United States, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Pakistan, and Taiwan
Status: Retired from military service; currently operated by civilian "warbirds"

Development and Design

A C-124 being loaded with a disassembled F-104 for transport — An F-104A being loaded onto a C-124 at Hamilton AFB for transport to Taiwan, 1958

The Starfighter's journey began with the XF-104 prototype, which first took to the skies on 4 March 1954. The aircraft was engineered for extreme performance, characterized by its incredibly thin wings and high thrust-to-weight ratio. This design allowed it to reach supersonic speeds rapidly, but it also required exceptional pilot skill to manage.

Two F-104s flying in formation — Lockheed F-104A

: Lockheed F-104A

Airframe and Aerodynamics

The F-104 is instantly recognizable by its long, slender fuselage and short, stubby wings. The biconvex airfoil (a wing shape that is curved on both the top and bottom) was designed to minimize drag at high speeds. This extreme aerodynamic refinement is visible in the sharpness of its leading edges.

Refer to caption — Side view of NASA YF-104A showing thinness of wing and sharpness of leading edge

: Side view of NASA YF-104A showing thinness of wing and sharpness of leading edge

Engine and Propulsion

At the heart of the Starfighter's performance was the General Electric J79 turbojet engine. The engine provided the massive thrust necessary to achieve Mach 2. While the engine was a marvel of its era, early production models faced challenges with the afterburner—a component that injects fuel directly into the exhaust to provide a massive burst of thrust.

close-up of aircraft engine exhaust — Detail of F-104G's GE J79 turbojet exhaust (red coloring added by Technik Museum Sinsheim, Germany)

: Detail of F-104G's GE J79 turbojet exhaust (red coloring added by Technik Museum Sinsheim, Germany)

Armament and Avionics

As an interceptor, the F-104 was equipped to engage enemy aircraft with both guns and missiles. A standard configuration included the M61A1 Vulcan, a 20mm six-barreled rotary cannon. For air-to-air combat, it could carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. To find targets, the aircraft utilized advanced avionics, such as the NASARR radar system.

F-104G with open weapons bay showing M61 cannon — Open weapons bay of a German Air Force F-104G exposing the M61 cannon

: Open weapons bay of a German Air Force F-104G exposing the M61 cannon

Museum display of an exposed F-104 radar dish — NASARR radar on F-104

: NASARR radar on F-104

Video vignette of an F-104 destroying a QF-80 target drone with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile — F-104 test-firing an AIM-9 Sidewinder against a QF-80 target drone

: F-104 test-firing an AIM-9 Sidewinder against a QF-80 target drone

Pilot Safety: The Ejection Seat

Given the high speeds and demanding flight envelope, the Martin-Baker ejection seat was a critical component for pilot survival during emergencies.

Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat removed from an F-104G — A Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat from an F-104G

: A Martin-Baker Mk.7 ejection seat from an F-104G

Operational History

A USN F-104A with a Sidewinder 1-C missile at NWTC China Lake, 1960

United States Air Force and the Vietnam War

The USAF utilized the F-104 in various capacities, including the Air Defense Command and the Air National Guard. During the Vietnam War, the F-104C served as a multi-role fighter and fighter-bomber. Between 1965 and 1967, Starfighters flew over 5,000 combat sorties. While the aircraft performed its mission, the conflict saw the loss of 14 F-104s to various causes.

Row of numerous F-104 aircraft parked on display on airport apron — 479th TFW F-104Cs at Da Nang, 1965

: 479th TFW F-104Cs at Da Nang, 1965

International Service and the "Widowmaker"

The F-104 saw widespread international adoption, but its reputation varied by nation. In the West German Air Force (Luftwaffe), the aircraft faced significant difficulties. Between 1961 and 1989, Germany lost 292 of its 916 Starfighters, leading the public to nickname the plane "Witwenmacher" (Widowmaker).

F-104A in front of hangar at Ramstein Air Base, West Germany — A USAF F-104A of the 151st FIS at Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, in 1961–1962

: A USAF F-104A of the 151st FIS at Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, in 1961–1962

In contrast, other nations utilized the aircraft effectively in various conflicts. The Pakistan Air Force used the Starfighter during the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971, while the Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force operated the aircraft through the late 1990s.

: PAF Griffin F-104As during a training sortie in 1964.

: A Griffin F-104A landing after dissimilar air combat training.

: The Indian Dassault Ouragan which was forced down by Pakistani Starfighters.

: An Indian Gnat F.1 (IE-1083) sits on the disused airfield at Pasrur shortly after being forced down by a Griffin F-104A on 3 September 1965. Today, the Gnat is on display at PAF Museum at Karachi.

Taiwanese F-104J parked as a museum display — Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force F-104J

: Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force F-104J

: TF-104G 63-8467 in Taichung, Taiwan

NASA and Space Research

NASA utilized the F-104 for high-speed chase duties and specialized research. The aircraft's ability to reach extreme altitudes and speeds made it an ideal platform for testing components intended for spaceflight, such as Space Shuttle tiles.

Formation of NASA F-104 and F-15 — NASA F-15 and F-104 testing Space Shuttle tiles

: NASA F-15 and F-104 testing Space Shuttle tiles

Chuck Yeager waving to the camera from the cockpit of his NF-104 — Chuck Yeager in the cockpit of an NF-104, 4 December 1963

: Chuck Yeager in the cockpit of an NF-104, 4 December 1963

YF-104A hanging in museum in NASA livery — YF-104A, AF serial number 55-2961, NASA aircraft number 818, flown by NASA from 27 August 1956 to 26 August 1975, 1,439 flights

: YF-104A, AF serial number 55-2961, NASA aircraft number 818, flown by NASA from 27 August 1956 to 26 August 1975, 1,439 flights

Technical Specifications (F-104G Variant)

Twin-seat TF-104G with both canopies open — A German TF-104G at Luke AFB, 1982

F-104G General Characteristics
Feature	Specification
Crew	1
Length	54 ft 8 in (16.66 m)
Wingspan	21 ft 9 in (6.63 m)
Max Speed	Mach 2 (1,528 mph)
Service Ceiling	73,000 ft (22,000 m)
Rate of Climb	48,000 ft/min
Armament	1 × 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan; 4 × AIM-9 Sidewinder

Variants and Production

Six F-104Gs flying in formation photographed from below — F-104Gs from Marinefliegergeschwader 1, 1965

The Starfighter family was extensive, with various versions tailored for specific roles and nations. This included the CF-104 (Canadair), the Aeritalia F-104S (Italy), and the RF-104G (reconnaissance version).

Camouflaged West German RF-104G and RF-104G flying in formation — A German RF-104G in flight with a 66th TRW RF-101C

: A German RF-104G in flight with a 66th TRW RF-101C

: Dutch RF-104G equipped with Orpheus pod.

Italian F-104S parked on tarmac with underwing-mounted AIM-7 Sparrow missiles — Italian Air Force F-104S in original camouflage scheme with AIM-7 Sparrow missiles mounted under the wings, c. 1969

: Italian Air Force F-104S in original camouflage scheme with AIM-7 Sparrow missiles mounted under the wings, c. 1969

: Former Lockheed F-104 Starfighter operators

: 3-view line drawing of the Lockheed F-104B Starfighter.

Frequently Asked Questions

NASA F-104 on display at Edwards Air Force Base.

F-104A flight envelope diagram — F-104A flight envelope

F-104 mounted on zero-length launch platform with rocket booster attached — West German F-104G with a zero-length launch rocket booster and a replica B43 nuclear bomb at Militärhistorisches Museum Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow

West German F-104F parked on apron — A West German F-104F in 1960. In 1962 this aircraft crashed along with three others after a pilot error.

XB-70 Valkyrie flying in formation with an T-38 Talon (far left), F-4 Phantom (near left), F-104 (near right), F-5 Freedom Fighter (far right) — The second XB-70 Valkyrie prototype flies in formation with other GE-powered aircraft for a photo shoot, 8 June 1966. Shortly after this photograph was taken the F‑104 (red tail, on the XB‑70's right) and XB‑70 collided, killing the F‑104 pilot Joe Walker and the co‑pilot of the XB‑70.

F-104C on display, parked on tarmac — F-104C at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

Why was the F-104 called the "Widowmaker"?

The nickname originated primarily in West Germany due to a high number of aircraft losses and pilot fatalities during its service life with the Luftwaffe.

What was the primary role of the F-104?

It was originally designed as a high-speed interceptor to engage enemy aircraft, but it was later adapted into a multi-role fighter-bomber.

Did NASA use the F-104?

Yes, NASA used F-104s as high-speed chase aircraft and for specialized research, including testing materials for the Space Shuttle.

How many F-104 aircraft were built in total?

A total of 2,578 Starfighters were produced by various manufacturers including Lockheed, Canadair, Fiat, and others.

Is the F-104 still in use today?

While retired from military service in most nations, several F-104s are still operated by civilian organizations as "warbirds."