I went to the Tico Airshow in Titusville, FL as I do every year (TIX) and though the mostly warbird airshow loses more of its luster every year I did get to see the F-104 Starfighter do a demo, which is always a pleasure. I've seen it before, it belongs to what used to be TransWorldStarfighters and they started doing the airshow circuit around '98 I think, but its been a few years since I've seen them last. They have a single and double seater and are based at St. Petersburg/Clearwater airport in FL. The announcer said it took them 14 minutes to cross the state from St.Pete to TIX!
Anyhow, what an absolutely gorgeous bird. They have it in a sexy blue and white paint job, the thing is so damn clean and it looks every bit the part of 'missile with a man in it'. A 1954 design that looks more modern than most of what's out their flying right now imo.
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RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
Lucky you - I wish we could see some Starfighters here in Germany
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- MissedApproach
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RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
I'm glad you liked "our" Starfighters! Both are ex-RCAF airplanes. The single seater was built by Canadair under license (ex 104850). All D models were built by Lockheed though (ex 104632). Both then served in Norway before eventually starting their "civilian" lives.
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- TheSonntag
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RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
| Quoting Columba (Reply 1): |
Just dig in the mud around some fighter bases
I remember when I was watching an airshow in F�rstenfeldbruck in the late 80s/early90s where one of the last German F-104 was flying... Since it was shortly after the Ramstein disaster, there were not so many things happening, but it was cool nevertheless...
Other than that, I remember seeing Italian F-104s and G-91s when I was in Italy for holidays in 1992-1994. Good old days...
Anyway, let's enjoy the F-4 Phantom as long as we have it instead...
RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
That is the one aircraft I want to see. IMO, The F104 is one of the best looking fighters.
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- kc135topboom
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RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
Lucky you. The F-104, one of the great century fighters.
RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
| Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 5): Lucky you. The F-104, one of the great century fighters. |
Yes, I love it and I miss it so much despite the fact that it claims dozen of pilot lives around the world…including a family friend in 1979
Anyway I had the great opportunity to attend the phase out ceremony held here in Italy in 2004 (Pratica di Mare AFB): it was an unforgettable day that I will keep forever in my memory!
 Photo © Sven De Bevere |  Photo © Sven De Bevere |
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The past, the present and the future of the Italian AF
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- KevinL1011
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RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
A former co-worker from Germany flew 104's in the Luftwaffe. He said the turning radius was very bad ( something like 6 miles) and to "go around" on low fuel was a mistake.
Because of the "T" tail, the ejection seats were originally designed to exit downward. This was changed later in the C or D models.
It's hard to believe that the wingspan was only 22ft !. In it's day, an F-104 could fly higher and faster than any other fighter in the sky.
Because of the "T" tail, the ejection seats were originally designed to exit downward. This was changed later in the C or D models.
It's hard to believe that the wingspan was only 22ft !. In it's day, an F-104 could fly higher and faster than any other fighter in the sky.
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RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
I saw it last year at Selfridge ANGB Michigan. I've seen lots on static display but that was the first time I ever saw one fly. Quite Impressive! The Collings Foundation F-4D flew at the same show. That made my whole year as far as airplanes go.
RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
| Quoting MissedApproach (Reply 2): I'm glad you liked "our" Starfighters |
Thanks , I will travel to see a show no problem. What an aircraft ! Even today when I dream of being a fighter pilot I am climbing in an -104 streaking towards the TU-95'S over East Germany!! Come on I am a cold war bratt.
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RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
| Quoting 777 (Reply 6): Anyway I had the great opportunity to attend the phase out ceremony held here in Italy in 2004 (Pratica di Mare AFB): it was an unforgettable day that I will keep forever in my memory! |
Luckily some took and published a nice video of it..
http://www.flightlevel350.net/video_streaming.php?id=1836
I was at the farewell display of the F104 in the Netherlands in the eighties. 20 or so simultaneously with afterburners over the public..
"Never mistake motion for action." Ernest Hemingway
RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
| Quoting Keesje (Reply 10): I was at the farewell display of the F104 in the Netherlands in the eighties. 20 or so simultaneously with afterburners over the public.. |
..and amazingly there is even a picture in the a.net database.. 1983
Photo © E.Groenendijk
"Never mistake motion for action." Ernest Hemingway
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- TheSonntag
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RE: Saw An F-104 Fly This Weekend
The lack of fuel tanks of the Starfighter has a good side, as well. To me it is much more beautiful with wing-tip tanks than without. What a great machine. Great noise, great smoke, great look...
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