What Is The F-104 Starfighter?
The F-104 Starfighter. Nicknamed the ‘Missile with a Man in It’, this needle-nosed jet set simultaneous world speed and altitude records.
United States
Origin
Interceptor
Role
Mach 2.01
Top speed
15,200 m
Service ceiling
F-104 Starfighter Specifications
Dubbed the ‘Missile with a Man in It’, the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter featured razor-thin wings and a single General Electric J79 engine. Able to reach Mach 2.01 and a 50,000 ft ceiling, it was the first aircraft that simultaneously held world records for airspeed, altitude, and time-to-climb.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 2.01 (1,328 mph)
Service ceiling
50,000 ft (15,200 m)
Combat radius
230 nmi (425 km)
Rate of climb
48,000 ft/min (244 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
1
Length
54 ft 8 in (16.66 m)
Wingspan
21 ft 11 in (6.68 m)
Empty weight
14,000 lbs (6,350 kg)
Engine
1x General Electric J79-GE-11A afterburning turbojet
Service
First flight
4 March 1954
Unit cost
$1.4 million
Operators
United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada (All Retired)
What Weapons Does The F-104 Starfighter Carry?
The F-104 Starfighter is fitted with an internal 20mm M61A1 Vulcan rotary cannon and wingtip rails carrying AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, supplemented by centreline bomb racks for tactical nuclear or conventional strikes.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
M61 Vulcan
Category
20 mm Rotary Cannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (725 rounds)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
AIM-9 Sidewinder
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 4 missiles
Range
18 km (11 miles)
AIM-7 Sparrow
Category
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 missiles (F-104S)
Range
45 km (28 miles)
Mark 82
Category
General-Purpose Bomb
Loadout
Up to 4 bombs
Range
Gravity released
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The F-104 Starfighter?
The F-104 reaches Mach 2.0, around 1,328 mph, and in 1958 became the first aircraft to hold the world speed and altitude records simultaneously. Its wings are so thin that ground crews fitted protective covers over the leading edges to avoid injury. That design delivered exceptional straight-line speed and climb at the cost of high landing speeds and unforgiving handling.
How Was The F-104 Starfighter Developed?
Kelly Johnson designed the F-104 after interviewing Korean War fighter pilots, who asked for a small, simple aircraft with outstanding performance rather than a heavy, complex one. The result was radical: a stub-winged airframe built around the most powerful engine available. The prototype flew on 4 March 1954.
Has The F-104 Starfighter Seen Combat?
American F-104s saw limited action over Vietnam. The type fought in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani wars with the Pakistan Air Force, and Taiwanese Starfighters engaged Chinese aircraft over the Taiwan Strait. Its accident record in European service was poor enough to generate political scandal in West Germany, where 292 of 916 aircraft were lost.
Who Operates The F-104 Starfighter?
Fifteen air forces operated the Starfighter, notably West Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan, many building it under licence. The last military examples, Italian F-104S ASA-M aircraft, retired in 2004. A small number fly privately in the United States.
F-104 Starfighter FAQs
Common questions about the F-104 Starfighter, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the F-104 Starfighter as a civilian?
No, the F-104 Starfighter is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the F-104 Starfighter?
No, you cannot take the controls of the F-104 Starfighter, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the F-104 Starfighter cost?
The F-104 Starfighter is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the F-104 Starfighter?
The F-104 Starfighter is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the F-104 Starfighter?
The F-104 Starfighter is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the F-104 Starfighter?
The F-104 Starfighter is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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