Eglin AFB in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
F-104 Starfighter
The F-104 was originally designed as a supersonic superiority day fighter. It was produced in two major versions: a tactical fighter armed with a six-barrel M-61 20mm Vulcan cannon; and a day-night interceptor equipped additionally with heat-seeking Sidewinder missiles. It also had a limited ground-attack capability.
Development of the F-104 began in 1952 and the first XF-104 made its initial flight on 5 March 1954. On May 16, 1958 an F-104A a world speed record of 1,404.19 mph, and on December 14, 1959, an F-104C set a world altitude record of 103,395 feet. The Starfighter was the first aircraft to hold simultaneous world records for speed, altitude and time-to-climb. The USAF procured 300 Starfighters, in addition, more than 1,700 F-104s were built for various allied nations. The F-104 saw combat during the Vietnam War.
This two-seat F-104D, S/N 57-1331, was last flown by the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, CA in support of the X-15 program. Only 21 F-104Ds were produced for use by the USAF. Eglin AFB, FL had 22 F-104As assigned here. They were converted to QF-104 target drones, all flew out of Eglin AFB, FL.
Specifications
Manufacturer Lockheed Aircraft Corp
Thrust One General Electric J79-GE-3,7,11,or19 Turbojet engine rated at 15,800 lbs of thrust w/afterburner
Length 54 ft 8 in
Height 13 ft 6 in
Wingspan 21 ft 11 in
Weight 12,760 lbs Empty / 27,853 lbs Max
Speed 1,320 mph Max / 1575 mph Cruise
Range 1,800 miles w/tanks
Ceiling 58,000 ft
Armament One — M61 20mm cannon on A and C models only and two AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missiles on all models; nuclear or conventional bombs
This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military.
Location. 30° 27.951′ N, 86° 33.63′ W. Marker is in Eglin AFB, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of Pinchot Road (State Road 189) and Museum Drive, on the right when traveling south. Located at the Air Force Armament Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Museum Drive, Eglin AFB FL 32542, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. JF-101B Voodoo (here, next to this marker); F-100 Supersabre (a few steps from this marker); B-47 Stratojet (within shouting distance of this marker); F-89 Scorpion (within shouting distance of this marker); F-84 Thunderstreak (within shouting distance of this marker); MQM-105 Aquila (within shouting distance of this marker); F-86F Sabre (within shouting distance of this marker); O-2 Skymaster (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eglin AFB.
Also see . . .
1. Air Force Armament Museum. (Submitted on April 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter on Wikipedia. (Submitted on April 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 278 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.