D'you know if the originally-fitted downward-firing seat had any influence on the 800'AGL rule as well as the noise issue, Zoom?
RichardIC - good suggestions above. If you've not done so already, could I suggest looking at the book on the 104 by Martin Bowman in the Crowood series? It has several sets of recollections by a variety of chaps involved with it. There was also a piece in International Air Power Review (Volume 12) by Warren Thompson on the use of the F-104 in Vietnam which might be of interest to you as well.