Exploring the Checkered History of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

The Cold War-era fighter jet demonstrated that speed isn’t everything.

Patrick Chovanec

Friday, March 01, 2024 at 06:39 PM ET

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The F-104 prototype took to the skies in March 1954. [Courtesy: Patrick Chovanec]

Key Takeaways:

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a record-setting Cold War jet, known for its high speed (exceeding Mach 2), but simultaneously infamous for critical design flaws like a wide turning radius, engine stall issues, and unforgiving flight characteristics, earning it the nickname "The Widow Maker."
Despite its early use as a U.S. interceptor, its combat limitations led to its phase-out in the USAF, but it became a popular export, notably in Canada and particularly West Germany.
West Germany, which purchased the most F-104s, experienced an exceptionally high accident rate (almost one-third destroyed, 116 pilots killed) due to factors including inexperienced pilots, multi-role deployment in challenging conditions, and even ejection seat issues; its history is further marred by a major bribery scandal involving Lockheed.

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Today in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS2020), I’ll be flying the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, a Cold War airplane with a checkered history that demonstrated that speed isn’t everything.

To kick us off, I’m at Edwards Air Force Base in California’s Mojave Desert, with a reincarnation of the same plane that Chuck Yeager crashed trying to set a new altitude record here in 1963.