Lockheed F-104 Starfighter (Aerodata International 15) By Philip J.R. Moyes
Publisher: Visual Art Press 1981 | 24 Pages | ISBN: 0905469267 | PDF | 6 MB
Publisher: Visual Art Press 1981 | 24 Pages | ISBN: 0905469267 | PDF | 6 MB
In the 1960s, it was one of the most widely-used fighters in the world. It has also been the centre of more controversy than any other aircraft to date, because of its very high accident rate - at least in German service; yet, all things considered, it undeniably remains one of the most remarkable aircraft of all time. The Starfighter story began in 1951 when USAF experience in Korea with first-generation jet fighters spotlighted the need for a much lighter and faster combat plane. A Lockheed team led by the firm's chief engineer, Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson and working at top pressure in the famous "Skunk Works" at Bur-bank, California a factory so-called because of the striking black and white mat in its entrance lobby -started to scheme a series of light fighter projects. Design work on what eventually became the F-104 began in November 1952, a USAF contract for two prototypes was placed in March 1953, and eleven months later, on 7 February 1954. the first XF-I04A (53-7786) flew, in the hands of Lockheed's chief experimental test pilot, Tony LeVicr. Both prototypes had a 10,0001b (4536kg) thrust afterburning Wright J-65 engine based on the British Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire.