F-104A Press Pic

Holedigger · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:24 pm

Here is a pic I acquired, 8x10 b&w glossy AF photo, from back when it was NEW! Here is the description on the back

DO NOT RELEASE UNTIL 6:00 P.M., E>S>T>< Tuesday 17 April 1956
A.C. First official view of the United States Air Force's supersonic fighter, the Lockheed F-104, a new production model of which rolled out of the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's Palmdale, California plant today.
The F-104A "Starfighter" is "the most advanced plane of its type ever developed" according to Air Force Chief of Staff General Nathan F. Twining.
Its razor-blade-thin wings extending only 7 1/2 feet from the fuselage are so sharp that felt covers are placed over them on the ground to protect crew men. It is the first production fighter to be equipped with a downward ejection seat for the pilot. In the supersonic class, it can climb as fast as it flies straight and level. Production models will be delivered to the Tactical Air Command. It is powered by a General Electric J-79 turbo-jet engine with afterburner. Dimensions are: length 54 ft. 9 in., span 21 ft. 11 in., height 13 ft. 6 in.
Certain details of this ground view have been covered for security reasons.
Washington D.C., 17 April 1956.
Official U.S. Air Force Photo, Released by Dept. Of Defense

The Inspector · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:24 pm

Note the inlets are neatly faired over, at this time the inlets didn't have splitter bullets nor boundry layer ramps, and I seem to remember the XF was a couple of feet shorter than the production models and had some interesting pitch issues that lead to stretching the fuselage-
It's still pure sex over 55 years later, kinda like Raquel Welch who may get older but can still turn heads fast enough to snap necks :wink:

Holedigger · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:34 pm

Another vintage 104. Photo Caption

Lockheed F-104 "Starfighter", with Navy Sidewinder guided missile attached, right side view on ground at Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California. 20 September 1957.

Air Force Photo
Air Photographic and Charting Service (MATS)

Willy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 24, 2008 3:52 am

First and only visit to Belgium of 57-1299

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... _id=NEXTID

P51Mstg · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:36 am **Posts:** 1202

Another view of it is here........

To me, it looks like the air intakes (with splitter vanes too) are airbruahed out. Because if you think about it, there is NO PLACE for the air to get into the engine......

I've seen several early F-104 shots where there were no splitter vanes and I'm sure those got the same treatment..

IF A MOD CAN FIX THE LINK, I"D APPRECIATE IT <Fixed - Editor>

Mark H

www.kartonmodell-forum.org

CAPFlyer · **Posted:** Fri Oct 24, 2008 10:51 am

According to this site - http://www.i-f-s.nl/cn/183-1002.htm

It's not airbrushing, it's an actual fairing that was added to hide what was then a secret - the inlet shape. By adding the fairing for early photos, it kept other manufacturers and the Soviets from seeing what the inlet looked like and being able to do calculations to determine performance capabilities of the aircraft.

BTW, the aircraft (55-2956) is the sole YF-104A, and not actually a production aircraft in the classic sense.

Holedigger · **Posted:** Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:06 pm

No fairing in place on this one! :wink:

154575 A.C. Lockheed F104 "Starfighter", 3/4 front view in flight Air Force Photo Air Photographic and Charting Service (MATS)

Holedigger · **Posted:** Fri Oct 24, 2008 2:10 pm

and now skip forward 50 years, this summer at Mac Dill AFB's airshow, "Starfighters" flight of three 104 put on a good show. Fist time I have seen one fly! Birds gotta fly, and boy, do they!!

Holedigger · **Posted:** Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:28 am

Here is a shot of all three in flight Mac Dill 2008

The sound...they aint Merlins but.....WOW!

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:01 pm

Hope these guys make it to thunder.

Holedigger · **Posted:** Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:13 pm

Here is a link to their schedule for the rest of the year....not much

http://www.starfighters.net/Schedule.html

I have watched them grow from one to three ships, but the logistics of keeping them airborne is tough! Ground crew chasing them on tour, having enough of the "expendables" on hand like tires and 'chutes, let alone the huge fuel costs. Their home base is ten miles from me and once in a while I hear one rip overhead. When they do, you KNOW it is them!

Mr. Scott · **Joined:** Sat Nov 27, 2004 11:31 pm **Posts:** 50

Warbird Kid wrote:

Hope these guys make it to thunder.

If they don't, there may be another showing up anyway but not flying.

K5DH · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:54 pm

The Starfighters had two of their ships at the air show at Alliance Airport a couple of years back. They flew one during the show. That was the first and only time I've ever seen an F-104 in flight. . . VERY cool! :shock:

Dean the Starfighter fan!

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:14 am

Back in '64 just after LBJ announced the existance of the A-11/12/SR71, REVELL models wanted to produce a model of the kit but couldn't get ANY dimensions for anything (even the tire diameters) as it was ultra ultra hush hush. Finally the late John Anderson @ REVELL found an overhead picture of the aircraft on the ramp @ Edwards. He called a buddy who worked @ Edwards and innocently asked 'so........how big are the cement ramp sections there?' That wasn't a secret so the guy told him, the pattern makers went to work and only missed the actual dimensions by a few inches. This was back during the time that RENWAL and REVELL were selling open sided models of the George Washington class SSN boomers and the Russians were cleaning out hobby shops to get the kits.

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 17, 2009 5:36 am

here's one I helped restore. Doesn't fly though

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F-104A Press Pic

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