Stepwilk,
Could it have had a downward-firing ejector seat?
I believe the Lockheed F-104 featured one, largely because it's role was high altitude, high speed with a high fin/tail.
Also, I believe the early ejector seats couldn't manage the progressive acceleration that can be achieved today. The Lightning caused many pilots who ejected spinal damage for that reason: the darned great bang and acceleration to clear the fin was colossal. Clearing the F104's fin would have been similar to avoiding those intakes on the F107.
I'm sure I'd rather have gone out below.
BTW,Liked the 10 beat landings article.
BSD.