Originally Posted by
Mike-Bracknell
Wasn't it the case that the F-104 had a reputation for killing a lot of capable pilots due to it's slow speed characteristics even WITH a working engine?
Nope.
I don't think this is the thread to discuss the F-104 story (I'll happily exchange some PMs, if you want. I was involved with the F-104 a long time ago, even if only on the sideline).
But in very brief, the German AF took on operating a
big fleet of a new and not yet fully mature variant of the F-104, while lacking the needed maintenance competence, or enough pilots with the necessary skills.
The slow-speed characteristics had very little to do with it.
CJ