Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

On 4^th March 1954, Tony LeVier, official test pilot of the Lockheed company, took-off for the first time in a prototype of a new fighter – XF-104, later developed into a well-known F-104 Starfighter.

The aircraft was designed in response to the USAF experiences from the Korean War. The conflict has shown that the air force is lacking a high-speed and high-altitude interceptor aircraft.

On 1^st November 1955, the new fighter was officially accepted by the USAF. The Lockheed F-104A Starfighter, as the first production version was officially designated, entered service within the 83^rd Fighter Interceptor Wing on 28^th January 1958.

For more information about the aircraft, including its development and operational service (especially in Germany, Belgium and Turkey), please follow the links below:

• Lockheed F-104G Starfighter
• 23 October 1987 – F-104 Starfighter was withdrawn from Luftwaffe
• 22 May 1991 – last operational flight of German F-104 Starfighter
• Canadair CF-104 Starfighter