The Lockheed F-104C came about as the result of Tactical Air Command (TAC) decision that the
F-104A wasn’t a capable supersonic tactical strike fighter. The F-104C was equipped with an in-
flight refueling probe to extend its range and was capable of delivering a tactical nuclear weapon.
Put into service during the Vietnam War the USAF realized the F-104C wasn’t the aircraft for
Vietnam and was replaced with the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The surviving F-104Cs
were transferred to the 198th TFS of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard.

F-104D (c/n 5038) 57-1326 “4166” was one of six F-104Ds purchased from the U.S. Air National
Guard by the Republic of China that operated 244 Starfighters in total. The F-104Ds were used
to equip the 427th TFW located at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base assigned to train pilots for combat
missions using the Starfighter. All variants of the F-104 were retired in the early 1980s with some
being sold to Jordan and Pakistan. 4166 was sent to the Aviation Technology School and later
transferred to the Military History Museum.

Specifications for the F-104D
F-104D Dual-Control Trainer variant of the F-104C

Number of D Built – 21

Designation - originally a super-sonic interceptor but adapted for low level strike and
reconnaissance

Crew: 1 x pilot - “D” variant 2 crew

Dimensions
Wingspan - 21’ 11”
Length - 54’ 9”
Height - 13’ 6”
Wing area - 196.1 sq. ft

Powerplant
1 x Orenda Engines J79-OEL-7, 10,000 lb. s.t. dry / 15,800 lb. s.t. with after burner

Performance
Maximum speed
Dash – 1,550 mph (mach 2.35) @ 40,000’
915 mph (mach 1.2) @ sea-level
Climb to 30,000’ – 1.5 minutes
Service ceiling - 50,000 ft (12,000 m)
Range - 1,630 mi (1,420 nm, 2,630 km)

Weights
Empty - 13,909 lbs.
Clean - 21,005 lbs.
Maximum take-off - 28,891 lbs

External stores
5 hard points – 1 x under the fuselage, 1 x under each wing, 1 x at each wing tip

Armament
External bombs and missiles such as:
Napalm bomb
Cluster bomb
BL755 cluster bomb
1 x 19 rocket rocket-pod
Mk. 82 bomb
MN1A practice bomb dispenser
1 x M61A1 Vulcan
1 x 20mm cannon added to later versions.

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