Italian Air Force F-104S returns to skies

[Duggy009]

A former Italian Air Force F-104S ASA-M supersonic aircraft returned to the skies in Florida on April 27, 2023 after extensive maintenance work that lasted 12 years. The Starfighters Aerospace-owned jet took off at 11.30am LT from Cape Canaveral Airport, Florida, to conduct a 16-minute test flight. According to Rick Svetkoff, founder of Starfighters Aerospace, the flight was successful.

From here -- https://www.blogbeforeflight.net/

[wendovertom]

Those are the most amazing planes. We had the great joy of having Rick bring two F-104s to Wendover 20 years ago - he and Tom Delashaw put on a insanely great routine. The banshee howl of the F-104 is pure power.

Tom P.

[Scott Rose]

Which one is this?

[Duggy009]

Which one is this?

"The aircraft was manufactured in Italy by FIAT Aviazione and was delivered to the Italian Air Force on 20 October 1970 as F-104S (Military Serial Number 6734, CN/SN 783-1034). It was later converted to F-104S ASA in 1990 and to F-104S ASA-M in 1997. It operated in various Wings of the Italian Air Force before moving to the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (Flight Test Wing) where it completed its last flight in July 2005. It was then sold and delivered to Starfighters Inc. in 2011. It is currently registered in the United States as N993SF."

[blue3992]

Those are the most amazing planes. We had the great joy of having Rick bring two F-104s to Wendover 20 years ago - he and Tom Delashaw put on a insanely great routine. The banshee howl of the F-104 is pure power.

Tom P.

I remember that! Was stationed at Hill AFB at the time. Heard about the airshow, and the F-104s being there. Made the drive out and had a blast.

They did put on an incredible show.

[Scott Rose]

Which one is this?

"The aircraft was manufactured in Italy by FIAT Aviazione and was delivered to the Italian Air Force on 20 October 1970 as F-104S (Military Serial Number 6734, CN/SN 783-1034). It was later converted to F-104S ASA in 1990 and to F-104S ASA-M in 1997. It operated in various Wings of the Italian Air Force before moving to the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (Flight Test Wing) where it completed its last flight in July 2005. It was then sold and delivered to Starfighters Inc. in 2011. It is currently registered in the United States as N993SF."

Thanks Duggy!