A CF-104 Starfighter, this example belonging to the Starfighters Demo Team in Canada. The Starfighter, or called the ‘Missile With a Man In It’, was designed as a quick response interceptor during the late 1950s, designed to reach incoming Soviet bombers and shoot them down with the cannon armament, though Sidewinders could be carried in place of wingtip fuel tanks. Italian models could carry the AIM-7. The last Starfighter was retired from the Italian Air Force as late as 2004.
It was an exceptional aircraft.
ReplyDeleteIt was a "Widow Maker".
ReplyDeleteIf the engine flamed-out, it tumbled, making ejection very difficult.
DeleteAround 1980, I watched an F-104 come close to the ground on a bomb drop over a target at Gila Bend Bombing Range. He kicked up dust from the bomb circle as he pulled up and I would swear the aircraft shimmied from the ground turbulance. I think they call it "Target Fixation." The pilot probably called it "Ho-Ree-Chit!"
ReplyDeleteNo. THIS was the last starfighter!
ReplyDeletehttp://collider.com/the-last-starfighter-25th-anniversary-edition-dvd-review/
There was a "rock opera"in the '70s tittled "Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters".Was about Germany's atrocious losses of F 104's.If you can find a copy of it,it is suppossedly worth thousands of dollars !
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected.The album is relatively inexpensive.perhaps I read an article buy someone trying to increase the value of thier collection.My appologies !
ReplyDelete