Fri, Apr 01, 2005
04.01.05
Special Edition: The United States Air Force took delivery
of the last Lockheed F-104D Starfighter in ceremonies that were
conducted late Friday, April 1st, 2005.
Rumored for weeks, an OMB and DoD investigation finally revealed
that Lockheed had actually been paid for, but never delivered, the
final F-104D (a two seat version of the F-104C) in the final
delivery cycle that was concluded in August of 1959. The F-104D
(Lockheed Model 383-04-06) was the two-seat combat trainer version
of the F-104C, bearing the same relationship to the F-104C as the
F-104B did to the original F-104A.
When the discrepancy was brought to the attention of
Lockheed-Martin officials (and later disseminated to the American
Public via an ANN reporter), it was discovered that returning the
funds expended for the aircraft for the aircraft had compounded
(with interest) to a fairly astronomical sum of money... but that
some vague wording in the contract allowed Lockheed to go ahead and
deliver the final aircraft instead (for a total expenditure that
wound up being considerably less than the estimated refund would
have cost them).
The F-104D was the last USAF version of the speedy Starfighter
to built. Some 21 F-104Ds were delivered from November 1958 to
August of 1959. Each of these aircraft were delivered to four
squadrons of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing that were already
flying F-104Cs. An additional 83 F-104Ds were ordered under FY 1957
funding... an order that was almost completely cancelled when the
USAF was forced to terminate Starfighter procurement -- sans one
airframe.
Surprisingly; the Air Force is thrilled with the news. "We have
pilots lining up around Edwards AFB to fly this thing," noted
Brigadier General Charles "Yuck" Cheager. "There is serious
consideration being given to using this aircraft as a recruiting
vehicle... for every pilot that wants to fly this beast, he or she
has to agree to re-up for another 6 years. So far, we have more
takers than we can accommodate... so much so, that we're thinking
of asking Lockheed-Martin to build us a few more. Hell, we're even
thinking of asking for a few new F-105s, to boot. 'Can't wait to
get my hands on that SOB..."
The Air Force is currently collecting training docs and records
for the F-104 in order to qualify the first series of IPs for the
bird. The first class will be taught by Brigadier General Robert A.
"Bob" Hoover, who was recently called back to active duty, and
promoted, in order to get the first class of F-104 Starfighter
flyers off to a good start. Hoover notes that he's looking forward
to returning to active duty for a few months and appreciated the
chance to enjoy his new rank among his friends... many of whom
retired with the rank of Colonel...
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