The Starfighter
Originally developed as a supersonic air superiority fighter, the F-104 Starfighter carried a six-barrel M-61 20 mm Vulcan cannon. It also performed as a tactical fighter and, when fitted with heat-seeking Sidewinder missiles, it could operate as an interceptor in both daytime and nighttime conditions.
The Starfighter was the first aircraft to simultaneously hold official world records for top speed, maximum altitude, and rate of climb.
The U.S. Air Force acquired roughly 300 Starfighters in both single- and dual-seat configurations. Beyond that, more than 1,700 F-104s were produced in the United States and overseas under a military aid program for multiple countries, including Canada, West Germany, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Taiwan, and Japan.
Thanks to its high speed, the Starfighter represented a major step forward compared with older, slower subsonic jets that were easier to handle. However, in air-to-air combat conducted at subsonic speeds, its relatively small wing area became a drawback, putting it at a disadvantage against more conventional fighters, where turning performance in that speed range was vital. For this reason, it was crucial to keep the Starfighter flying above Mach 1 so it could exploit its exceptional speed and unmatched vertical climb.
In addition, its short operational range and limited weapons capacity counted against the F-104, contributing to its relatively brief tenure in front-line service with the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
F-104 shortcomings
Despite these drawbacks, pilots who flew the Starfighter became deeply attached to it, as shown in numerous testimonies shared with Ted Spitzmiller for his book Century Series: The USAF Quest for Air Supremacy 1950-1960. James C. Parham, Jr., who flew the Starfighter with the South Carolina Air National Guard, recalled that “Although limited in range with two Sidewinders and no drop tanks, the F-104 was the quintessential high-altitude interceptor. The pilots had a love affair with the F-104. The cockpit was simple, compact, and comfortable. The canopy was straightforward, light, and manually opened and closed. At Mach 2, it was quiet, and the long flexible fuselage rippled ever so gently.”
Because it was not ideally suited to USAF requirements, the F-104 was relatively quickly transferred to foreign operators, with the Canadian Air Force becoming one of its primary users. Many U.S. pilots were able to fly it during squadron exchange programs, including Dudley Larsen, who flew the CF-104 after transitioning from the F-4 Phantom.
Larsen came away with a very positive view of the “Zipper”: “It was an easy transition because the plane was very honest to fly-it talked to you. It had a good feel when it settled in. The engines were the same as the F-4 (J79).” The Starfighter excelled in visual multi-bogey ACM (Air Combat Maneuvering) thanks to its high speed and small size. However, its high wing loading gave the F-104 poor turning performance, so if a pilot banked beyond 30 degrees, he quickly became an easy target. In Larsen’s assessment, the CF-104 matched the F-4’s capabilities, and pilot skill played a crucial role in the outcome of engagements.
Smitten with the Starfighter
Ed Carney, a U.S. Navy A-7 Corsair II pilot, was truly captivated by the Starfighter. He flew it in Germany for three years with the West German Navy from 1979 to 1982: “Coming from the A-7E it was like transitioning to jets all over again. Crazy fast and light, and would outrace anything out there. Flying slow (defined as less than 450 kts) could be dicey if you tried to pull any G’s.“
Carney notes that the jet could supercruise at sea level and retain its maneuvering capability in combat, provided the engagement did not slow down too much. “It demanded a skilled pilot and rewarded him with amazing performance, but was the least forgiving airplane I have ever flown. On the deck, plugging in the burner would shove you from 450 to 750 knots so fast it was almost scary. We were always pulling it back to keep from exceeding a speed or temp limit.”
He also emphasizes that the F-104 was more than just a high-performance fighter: “Along with the SR-71, it is Kelly Johnson’s greatest creation.”
Century Series The USAF Quest for air supremacy 1950-1960 is published by Schiffer Publishing and is available to order here.
Photo by U.S. Air Force
