A FEW MOMENTS IN AIR HISTORY
LOCKHEED F-104 STARFIGHTER
( First U.S. Jet Fighter To Fly Twice The Speed of Sound)
Known as "the missile with a man in it," the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was the first U.S. jet fighter in service to fly Mach 2, twice the speed of sound. Designed as a high-performance day fighter, the F-104 had excellent acceleration and top speed. It first flew on February 7, 1954. While built for the U.S. Air Force, most Starfighters were flown by other countries, particularly Canada, Italy, Germany, and Japan. It was used to test the reaction controls later used on the North American X-15.
For more information on the F-104 (and pictures!) click here.