The introduction of the Mig-15 by
Communist forces during the Korean War, came as a shock to military
planners in the United States. The Mig-15 showed some superior
attributes even when compared to the F-86. This rude awakening
increased the Air Force’s interest in a new generation of fighters
which would be faster and more maneuverable than any enemy aircraft
which would be encountered; a true "air superiority" machine.
Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, Lockheed's innovative designer who would
be involved in many of the most innovative aircraft designs of the
century, had been thinking along these same lines, and in late 1952
the company submitted an unsolicited proposal for a new fighter, the
XF-104. An initial contract was placed for prototypes, and the first
flight took place in 1954. The F-104 was unlike anything the Air
Force had previously flown. A long thin needle nose, a bullet-like
fuselage, a small, thin mid-fuselage mounted wing, and an unusual
high mounted horizontal stabilizer characterized this revolutionary
design. The XF-104 attained a speed of Mach 1.7 during its flight
tests, and the Air Force gave a go-ahead for production once
meaningful quantities of the J-79 engines became available. The
first production Starfighters reached the Air Force in February of
1956. The fuselage was lengthened by nearly six feet to accommodate
the J-79. The first large production order was for 146 F-104As.
These aircraft could carry wing mounted missiles, and had provision
for an internal cannon. Troubles with the gun system were never
really solved and most of these first F-104s were never equipped
with the cannons. The simplicity of operation of this aircraft and
its phenomenal speed made it an ideal interceptor, and this
capability was appreciated during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Lockheed had meaningful success marketing export versions of the
Starfighter shipping significant quantities to Pakistan, Italy,
Germany, Greece, Japan, Taiwan, and Jordan. American military
planners were disappointed with the range of the F-104. Recognizing
this, Lockheed continued to refine and improve the aircraft. The
F-104C was the second major variant and first flew in 1958. The "C"
was capable of 1,450-MPH, and had an improved range of nearly 1,400
miles with drop tanks. The "C" was primarily used by the 479th
Tactical Fighter Wing. The 479th deployed a squadron of F-104Cs to
Vietnam in 1965, where the aircraft flew more than 2,000 combat
sorties before being withdrawn. The F-104s were phased out of active
Air Force service beginning in the mid-60s, but many aircraft
remained with Air National Guard units. The last American unit to be
equipped with the F-104 was the 198th Tactical Fighter Squadron of
the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. The Royal Canadian Air Force
also flew the 104. Its variant lacked the cannon, which was replaced
by an additional fuel tank. The RCAF flew 104s until 1986. As
depicted in Stan Stokes painting, an F-104 of the 439 Squadron of
the RCAF, sports a dramatic black and yellow tiger striped paint
scheme during NATO exercises in Germany in 1977.
|
Collector Sized Lithograph:
$40
16" x 11 1/2"
|
|
|
Giclee on Canvas:
$445
18'' x 27''
|
|
