Starfighters To Tennessee... Via Italy?

The skies over Chattanooga, TN may soon be home to some of the most storied Cold War fighters around... at least, if Rick Svetkoff has his way.

Svetkoff leads the Starfighters Aerobatic Team, a four-ship team that performs about 13 shows per year, flying highly-skilled aerobatics -- in the vein of the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels -- using nearly 50-year-old F-104 Starfighter aircraft.

The team bills itself as "The World's Fastest Airshow Team"

Currently based in St. Petersburg, FL, Svetkoff says the team needs to expand if it's going to survive -- so not only is he looking for a new location, he's also been on the prowl for more F-104s. He's found a few in Italy... 16 active duty aircraft (one of which is shown at right) that are soon due to be retired.

Svetkoff is bringing eight of the birds over to the US -- taken apart, and packed into shipping crates -- and will keep the other eight in Italy for now.

When asked why he's taken on the ambitious project, Svetkoff notes that the US is falling behind the rest of the world in math and science... and involving kids in an interesting program like his may be just the thing to inspire some young minds.

"You have to find ways to make kids appreciate and want to be involved in math and science. We feel that we can help the community by making kids want to learn," he told the Chattanoogan.

Speaking of the move to Chattanooga... everyone there, from the mayor to members of Congress, seem all for it. There's even talk now of building a museum to showcase the Starfighters.

"I’m an easy touch for something like this," said Mayor Ron Littlefield. "It’s essential that this is thoroughly woven into all areas of the community."

Under Svetkoff's plan, all of the team's Starfighters would be based at Chattanooga... with St. Petersburg still used as a maintenance site.

FMI: www.starfighters.net