Col. Robert L. Riedenauer (Ret)

Col. Robert L. Riedenauer (Ret). , Riedenauer was born in Fresno, California in 1916. Bob Riedenauer flew the F-104 we have at the Airpark. He is the only test pilot to have flown the U-2, the SR-71 and the F-117, highlighting a military and civilian flight test career that included advanced development of some of the most famous aircraft of the 20th Century. He earned a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University in 1967 and graduated from the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in 1969. He flew T-33, A/T-37, T-38, F-86, F-104, F-105, F-4, F/FB-111, F-117, SR-71, B-52 and U-2. Riedenauer flew the first production flight of the F- 117 Nighthawk, and later retired from Lockheed in 1993. Riedenauer was a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and logged over 6,500 hours in more than 50 different aircraft. He also flew 120 combat missions in the F-105 in Southeast Asia in 1968 and was honored with the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters, and the Meritorious Service Medal. , , F-104 , A/C SN: 57-0915 , Construction# 388 , Date Acquired: October, 1998 , From: Loan, USAF San Antonio Tx , Displayed: October, 1998 , , Manufactured by Lockheed Aircraft, Burbank CA and delivered to the USAF on 27 May 1959. , 1959: To 479th Tactical Fighter Wing (Tactical Air Command). George AFB CA (deployment to Moron AB Spain) , 1967: To Sacramento Air Materiel Area, McClellan AFB CA , 1967: To AF Flight Test Center (AF Systems Command), Edwards AFB CA , 1973: Dropped from inventory by transfer to museum status USAF San Antonio TX , 1998: Relocated to Palmdale Air Park , , This Aircraft is dedicated to Lt. Col. Robert L. Riedenauer, USAF (retired) , , F-104 Starfighter , Nicknamed "Missile With a Man in it" , General Information , Manufacturer: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and by license to foreign countries (Military Aid Program) , Production Period: 1955 to 1970 , Number Produced: 737 by Lockheed and 1,799 through Military Aid Program (MAP) , Production Series: USAF: F-104A/C single-seat A/C, F-104B/D two-seat A/C; MAP: F-104G/J, CF-104G, F-104S single-seat A/C, TF-104G two-seat A/C , Roles: Originally designed as a land-based fair-weather air superiority fighter for the US Air Force, later developed into a land-based all-weather multi-mission aircraft for the US Air Force, capable of interception and forward air control , , Performance and Specifications , (Figures given are general to the F-104 Series) , Maximum Speed: 1,300 mph at 40,000 feet (Mach 2+) , Service Ceiling: 55,000 feet above sea level , Range: 1,600 miles , Weapons: AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, M61A1 Vulcan 20mm cannon, and a variety of air to ground weapons could be carried on six wing and two fuselage stations , Crew: Pilot , Length: 54 feet 9 inches , Wingspan: 21 feet 11 inches , Height: 13 feet 6 inches , Maximum Takeoff Weight: 28,779 lbs. , Powerplant: General Electric J79GE-11A turbojet engine with afterburner providing 15,800 lbs. of thrust , Achievements: First operational USAF A/C to achieve Mach 2 in level flight; first aircraft to hold simultaneous official world records for speed, altitude and time-to-climb.