F-104 Starfighter

Lockheed · United States · first flew 1954 · fighter

The F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, single-seat supersonic interceptor known for its tiny straight wings and rocket-like fuselage, earning it the nickname 'the missile with a man in it'.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Long needle-like fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Tiny razor-thin straight stub wings
Long needle-like fuselage
High T-tail

Unmistakable for its extremely short, thin, knife-edged straight wings set on a long slender fuselage. The high T-tail and pointed nose complete the rocket-like silhouette.

Specifications

The F-104 Starfighter has a length of 16.69 m (55 ft).
It has a wingspan of 6.68 m (22 ft).
Its maximum speed is 2137 km/h (1328 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Lockheed's Kelly Johnson designed the Starfighter for extreme speed and climb, and it first flew in 1954. Its very short, thin trapezoidal wings minimised drag at the expense of low-speed handling. It set numerous speed and altitude records in its early career.

Variants

The family ran from the F-104A interceptor through the multirole F-104G widely flown in Europe, with two-seat trainer versions. Many were licence-built for NATO and other allied air forces. Italy operated the type into the 2000s.

Where you'll see it

The RAF never operated the Starfighter, but it was a major NATO type across West Germany and Italy during the Cold War, often seen at European bases near UK forces. Preserved examples appear in British collections and at airshows. Its dramatic shape makes it a popular museum exhibit.

Related aircraft

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