Subject: Number 104 in the series--Lockheed F-104 Starfighter (5 of 20)

From: [email-masked]
Date: 22 Dec 93 15:18:40 GMT

>From [email-masked]

The F-104B (company Model 283-93-03) was a two-seat, dual-control, 
combat trainer version of the F-104A.  A second seat was provided 
underneath an extended canopy.  In order to provide space for the 
second seat, the 20-mm cannon of the single-seater had to be removed, 
some internal electronics had to be relocated, the internal fuel 
capacity had to be reduced from 897 to 752 US gallons, and the 
nosewheel again had to be made to retract rearwards.  However, the 
provision for two underwing and two wingtip drop tanks was retained, 
boosting total fuel capacity by 730 US gallons.  The armament was 
limited to a pair of wingtip-mounted AIM-9B Sidewinders, although the 
AN/ASG-14T-1 fire control system was retained.  The fin area was 
increased by 25 percent, and a fully-powered rudder was adopted.  

The first F-104B (serial number 56-3719) took off on its maiden flight 
on January 16, 1967.  It had been literally built by hand out of an 
F-104A airframe, and the larger area vertical tail, the automatic 
pitch control system, and the fire control system of later F-104Bs 
were not installed.  It was unofficially designated YF-104B, although 
it was later brought up to production F-104B standards.  This airplane 
was later used to test Lockheed's downward-firing ejection seat that 
was initially fitted to the F-104A.  

Like the F-104A, the B was initially powered by the J79-GE-3A, but 
this engine was later replaced by the more reliable J79-GE-3B as it 
became available.  

Provisions were made for the possibility of removing the rear seat of 
the F-104B, fitting the 20-mm rotary cannon, and flying the aircraft 
as a single-seater if the need arose.  However, I don't know if this 
was ever done in practice.  

The first recipient of the F-104B was the 83rd FIS at Hamilton AFB in 
California, which took on its first aircraft in early 1958.  
Subsequently, all three F-104A ADC squadrons received the F-104B.  The 
F-104B was assigned to operational units, at a rate of four aircraft 
per squadron.  If required, they could be used for tactical 
operations.  The last of 26 F-104B was delivered in November of 1958, 
against 106 originally ordered in 1957.  

The performance of the F-104B was almost identical to that of the 
F-104A, but the lower internal fuel capacity reduced its effective 
range considerably.  

Along with the F-104A, ADC F-104Bs were transferred to the Air 
National Guard in 1960.  ANG squadrons operating the F-104A/B were 
called up to active duty during the Berlin crisis of 1961 and deployed 
to Europe.  When the ANG squadrons reverted to state control in 1962, 
their F-104A/Bs were retained by the USAF and turned back over to the 
ADC.  The last F-104B left ADC service in 1969.  

In 1960, the Pakistan Air Force received two ex-USAF F-104Bs along 
with ten F-104As to equip one squadron.  These aircraft took part in 
both the August 1965 and December 1971 wars with India.  

At least two F-104Bs were delivered to the Republic of China Air Force 
on Taiwan.  

In the spring of 1967, three F-104Bs were turned over to the Al Quwwat 
Aljawwiya Almalakiya Alurduniya (Royal Jordanian Air Force) along with 
two single-seat F-104As.  These Starfighters were withdrawn to Turkey 
three days before the outbreak of the June 1967 Six-Day War, so they 
took no part in that conflict.  Further deliveries were suspended, and 
were not resumed until 1961 when four more F-104Bs were delivered to 
Jordan along with 32 more F-104As.  The Jordanian Starfighters were 
finally replaced by Dassault Mirage F1CJs in 1982-83.  

Some F-104Bs were later transferred to Taiwan and Jordan.  Others 
ended up in the boneyards at Davis-Monthan AFB.  

F-104B 53-1303 was handed over to NASA in December of 1959. 

Serials of the F-104B: 

56-3719/3724 	Lockheed F-104B-1-LO Starfighter 
57-1294/1302 	Lockheed F-104B-5-LO Starfighter 
57-1303/1311 	Lockheed F-104B-10-LO Starfighter 
57-1312/1313 	Lockheed F-104B-15-LO Starfighter 

Specification of the F-104B: 

One General Electric J79-GE-3A/3B turbojet, 9600 lb.s.t. dry and 
14,800 lb.s.t. with afterburning.  Maximum speed was 1145 mph at 
65,000 feet.  Stalling speed was 198 mph.  Initial climb rate was 
64,500 feet per minute.  Service ceiling was 64,795 feet.  Normal 
range was 460 miles, and maximum range with two wingtip drop tanks was 
1225 miles.  Internal fuel capacity was 752 US gallons, and maximum 
fuel capacity with two wingtip tanks and two underwing tanks was 1482 
US gallons.  Dimensions were wingspan 21 feet 9 inches, length 54 feet 
8 inches, height 13 feet 5 inches, wing area 196.1 square feet.  
Weights were 13,727 pounds empty, 17,812 pounds combat, 24,912 pounds 
maximum takeoff.  Armament consisted of a pair of wingtip-mounted 
AIM-9B Sidewinder infrared homing air-to-air missiles.  In an 
emergency, the rear seat could be removed and the 20-mm M61A1 cannon 
of the single seat version could be fitted.  

Joe Baugher		AT&T Bell Laboratories   	
2000 North Naperville Road      Naperville, Illinois 60566-7033