Originally Posted by forget
From Wikipedia above;
The German modified Starfighters were especially problematic, due to the modifed version's alarming accident rate. In German service alone, 292 of the 916 Starfighters crashed, claiming the lives of 115 pilots, leading to cries that the Starfighter was fundamentally unsafe and earning it the Widowmaker nickname, among others (see below). However, the non-German F-104 proved much safer and earned a better track record.
Hi,
Not exactly.
The "German" Starfighter was the F-104G, and exactly the same aircraft was used by the Belgian, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian and Italian Air Force. Before their "S", the Italians also had "G's" .
These were, just like the F-16, built by a "European Consortium" with factories like SABCA, Fokker and FIAT building aircraft for the different air forces.
For example: SABCA built 188 F-104G's, 99 for Belgium and 89 for Germany.
The "G" was heavier, but more powerful versions of the J-79 also became available.
Possibly, a small group of USAF pilots in Florida had the most fun in the F-104. After the Cuban missile crisis, some of the light-weight F-104A's were recalled from the ANG to active USAF service, fitted with the latest version of the J-79 and stationed in Florida.
These F-104's had a T/W ratio that would not be rivalled in the USAF until the F-15 came along.
Best regards, Transall.