
The "two hole" F-104D Starfighter was a relatively rare machine by USAF standards with only 21 examples procured in total. All were delivered factory fresh to the 479th TFW in late 1958 and then were nominally assigned to each of the four F-104C squadrons; in reality they were operated on a separate basis. At this time the 479th TFW were still carrying the very attractive comet scheme however TAC mandated their removal in the winter of 1959 and so the "two holers" remained in plain silver or grey. When the 479th TFW converted to the F-4 Phantom a number of the F-104D's were painted in the SE Asia scheme and transferred to the 198th TFS of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, the sole operator of the F-104C and most D models from the summer of 1967 until mid 1975. One source says that the West German Starfighter training units at Luke AFB also operated some D models as well as their TF-104Gs. Both photographs above were taken during a tour of the AMARC "boneyard" in 1987 and show the two different paint schemes that the type wore during her career. A web search suggests that 57-1332 has since been scrapped whilst 57-1320 is listed as preserved at "Jackson" but no other detail.
10th May 2007
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Added on 10th May 2007, has been viewed 498 times
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