Pulled security on transient F-104s at Lajes, Azores, on their way to Germany, 1958-59
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F-104 Starfighter Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Lockheed F-104G Starfighter Length 54.66 ft | 16.66 m Width 20.87 ft | 6.36 m Height 13.42 ft | 4.09 m Engine(s) 1 x General Electric J79-GE-11A turbojet engine generating 15,800lbs of thrust with afterburner. Empty Weight 13,995 lbs | 6,348 kg MTOW 29,055 lbs | 13,179 kg Max Speed 1,320 mph | 2,124 km/h | 1,147 kts Max Range 1,081 miles | 1,740 km Ceiling 58,005 ft | 17,680 m | 11.0 miles Climb Rate 48,000 ft/min (14,640 m/m) Hardpoints 4 Armament 1 x 20mm cannon 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
External missile load capacity of up to 4,000lbs (1,814 kg) on fuselage and wing positions. Accommodations 1
* XF-104 - Prototype of which two built. * YF-104A - Prototype Production Model Designation; 17 example prototypes built. * F-104A - Interceptor Production model featuring J79-GE-3 powerplant; limited service with USAF Air Defense Command. * F-104B - Tandem-seat trainer model. * F-104C - Tactical strike fighter-bomber model. * F-104D - Tandem-seat trainer model. * F-104G - All-weather multi-role developed by NATO consortium; Redesigned for West German Luftwaffe (Air Force) export; definitive F-104 model. * F-104J - License built F-104G for Japan; 207 produced locally by Mitsubishi for SDF. * TF-104 - Trainer variant based on F-104G model. * RF-104 - Reconnaissance variant based on F-104G model.
